SicEmSports.com - SicEmSports.com Staff Prediction

October 17, 2009

SicEmSports.com Staff

Since the 2005 season Baylor has only won two conference road games. One of which was against Colorado, and the other was the last time the Bears played in Ames, Iowa. Saturday Baylor makes the trip up to Iowa again to face the Cyclones following a 33-7 loss to Oklahoma last weekend.

Baylor may have a new starting quarterback this weekend as Blake Szymanski practices this week for the first time since he injured his shoulder against Northwestern State, but it's expected that true freshman Nick Florence who has started the past two games will also see playing time.

The staff here at SicEmSports.com have put together our predictions of the final outcome as the Bears take on the Cyclones as well as what we think will happen in the game.

Fletcher Rutland

Two games into the 2009 post Robert Griffin era and I have no idea what to make of this team. Against a vastly inferior opponent in Kent State they were able to move the ball with a lot of success thanks to a couple big plays by Kendall Wright and Jarred Salubi, but when the Bears played a superior opponent last weekend they had a lot of trouble moving the ball and outside of their one touchdown they couldn't hardly even get into field goal range. I think Iowa State falls somewhere between Kent State and Oklahoma, so while Baylor will have more success moving the ball I don't see this being a shoot-out.

The Cyclones have the number one rushing offense in the conference, and if there's another thing that has been very up and down it has been the Bears run defense. The UConn Huskies came to Waco and ran up and down the field at will, but the Bears were able to corral the Sooners two very talented running backs last week.

Expect Baylor to try and speed the game up on offense while the Cyclones will try and slow it down with their running game and efficient passes..

Score: Baylor 21, Iowa State 20

Todd Wills

For me this is the game that can put the Bears on the right track to a bowl game.

It looks like Blake Szymanski will start but I also expect Nick Florence to play. Baylor has to use the two QBs to its advantage and I think they will. The Bears are going to hit a few big plays.

Baylor is going to play its best game of the season on defense. From talking to players early in the week I sense a focus and confidence that will be THE difference in the game.

Score: Baylor 28, Iowa State 14

Blair Leake

Two months ago, this game was a lock for the Bears. Robert Griffin and the resurgent Baylor program versus the whipping boys of the Big 12 North? Count it.

One ACL surgery and a breakout season for Alexander Robinson later and I'm not so sure. The Cyclones' feature back is averaging over 100 yards and a touchdown per game while his quarterback counterpart has thrown for 1,080 yards, eight touchdowns, and only four touchdowns over the same six game span.

Even still, it's not as if the Bears don't have weapons of their own - namely a certain now-healthy Baylor running back who is averaging 8.8 yards per carry - or that Iowa State doesn't have glaring weaknesses of their own, seeing as how they rank at the bottom of the Big 12 with 390.5 yards given up per game.

Bottom line, with the way these two teams have been playing, look for a shootout - regardless of who gets the start for the Bears at QB - with the last team who has the ball in their hands likely the victor. Laugh it up all you want on this one, though - "the running game is key' - if Jay Finley is as healthy as he says he is, and if Art Briles gives him the amount of carries a feature back is supposed to get, I like the Bears in a close one.

Score: Baylor 31, Iowa State 28

Jacob Wolter

I don't really know about this game, I have a hard time figuring out Iowa State. I think that they are an improved team and Baylor "should" win, but the Bears have not been playing well since the Wake Forest game. Also, it will be cold and windy; the Bears will have to overcome that as well. I think the Bears will win, but not at easily as last year. I think Blake is a solid quarterback and can lead Baylor to three more wins in Briles' system. Finally, the running game will have to be there, no more penalties on the o-line and the backs have to gain positive yards on every play.

Score: Baylor 24, Iowa St. 17

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