Staff Predictions: Baylor Travels To Ames For Matchup Against No. 16 Iowa State

The SicEm365 Staff gives their predictions for Baylor’s (2-3, 0-2) conference matchup against No. 16 Iowa State (4-0, 1-0). Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Jack Trice Stadium, and the game will be televised on FOX.

Colt Barber (4-1) — Iowa State 20, Baylor 13

I’m expecting a mad Baylor team to take the field on Saturday rather than one that lays over and that begins specifically on the defensive side of the ball. I wish I could say it ends up as a win for Baylor, but I believe Iowa State’s defense is too strong at home in a night game.

Brian Ethridge (3-2) — Baylor 27, Iowa State 24

I have no idea what this team will do at the beginning of the game or the end, but the middle will be exciting. This appears to be a game where Baylor has to bounce back, or the season will be in peril. A night game in Ames is never easy, but I just have a feeling Baylor will be up to the task.

Ashley Hodge (4-1) — Iowa State 31, Baylor 24

I think this game is a major trap game for Iowa State, and they can be a little complacent. Baylor is the more talented team on paper I believe but Iowa State has experience and the home field on their side. I expect a dogfight into the fourth quarter, but the Cyclones prevail. 

David Smoak (5-0) — Iowa State 30, Baylor 12

Iowa State isn’t explosive, but they nickel and dime you to death with enough weapons to beat you passing or rushing, and they’re so efficient. Baylor will struggle if it doesn’t force turnovers and/or get a pick-six or a special teams touchdown. Iowa State has been stingy against the pass, so that will be interesting against Sawyer Robertson and Bears passing attack.

Paul Catalina (4-1) — Iowa State 31, Baylor 10

Iowa State is efficient. Baylor is not. And the Bears rarely play well in Ames.

Craig Smoak (4-1) — Iowa State 28, Baylor 17

This is another major test for the Baylor secondary and a mountain to climb for the offense, and that's without taking into account the road atmosphere, white-out crowd, etc. The Bears can go toe-to-toe, but I don't have faith in their ability to close or overcome in crunch time. 

Grayson Grundhoefer (3-2) — Iowa State 23, Baylor 17

The Bears go on the road and put up a fight, but ultimately, the Cyclone's defense gets the stops needed to put Baylor away in the fourth quarter. They lose another close one heading into the bye week.

Travis Roeder (5-0) — Iowa State 35, Baylor 17

Baylor cannot run the ball as Sawyer Robertson is forced to play hero ball against a great defense. Robertson and the wide receivers are able to make a handful of big plays, but the overall offense cannot execute consistently. Baylor's defense plays solid, but turnovers, short fields and Iowa State's great wide receivers make plays to get them into the 30s.

Sam Bradshaw (5-0) — Iowa State 30, Baylor 16

The Bears put up a fight, but the Cyclones perform better in the red zone and are able to capitalize on Baylor's misfires.

Garrett Ross (4-1) — Iowa State 24, Baylor 20

I expect this to be a defensive slugfest, with Jack Trice Stadium on a whiteout night being the deciding factor.

Levi Caraway (2-3) — Iowa State 27, Baylor 20

I wouldn’t be surprised if Baylor found a way to somehow walk out of Ames with the upset victory, but up to this point, we have no evidence that the Bears can make the winning play when it matters most.

Emory Winter (3-2) — Iowa State 35, Baylor 28

Heartbreaking back-to-back losses, along with traveling to Ames, sounds like a recipe for disaster. This team has more wins on the schedule but I’m not expecting one to come in Iowa. 

Jack Mackenzie (3-2) — Iowa State 27, Baylor 14

I’m hoping for some kind of reverse jinx, but more realistically, the Bears need to prove to me that they can find ways to win instead of finding ways to lose. This team is so much better than last year, but they need to start earning dubs to prove it to everyone.