Saturday, November 7, 2020, Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa, 7 p.m. ET
Bears at Cyclones Betting Preview: Bears (+14.5), Cyclones (-14.5)
Baylor Bears Betting Preview
The Bears (1-3, 1-2 Big 12) are struggling offensively and averaging just 20 points a game during a three-game losing streak, mostly down to a struggling running game and inconsistent play at quarterback.
After throwing for more than 3,000 yards in each of the past two seasons, senior Charlie Brewer has not thrown for more than 256 in any game while completing a career-low 60.3 percent of his passes this year. He has thrown eight touchdown passes and three interceptions while getting sacked 13 times.
Still, Baylor coach Dave Aranda believes Brewer is still capable of successfully leading his team.
“His confidence is there,” Aranda said. “His want to perform at a real high level for the offense and his teammates is very high.”
The Bears have rushed for an average of just 92.2 yards a game, and that includes a 203-yard effort in their opening 47-14 win over Kansas. They rushed for 27 yards against West Virginia, 64 against Texas, and 75 against TCU.
They will be facing an Iowa State defense that has allowed an average of 114.7 yards a game but yielded only 73 against Kansas last week and 58 against Texas Tech earlier this season.
Iowa State Cyclones Betting Preview
Running back Breece Hall will be going for his seventh consecutive 100-yard rushing game when the No. 17 Cyclones (4-2, 4-1 Big 12) host Baylor Saturday.
The sophomore who came on strong as a freshman last season is the nation’s second-leading rusher with 901 yards, topping the 897 yards he ran for in 2019. He posted is second consecutive 185-yard rushing game in Iowa State’s 52-22 rout of Kansas last week.
“He’s really special,” Cyclones coach Matt Campbell told the Cyclone Radio Network. “And, I hate to say this, but there are still so many little things that he can improve. What I do appreciate about Breece is he accepts being challenged. What’s going to be fun is when he puts all those things together.
“What we’ve seen so far is really special, but he can be really elite.”
Hall would seem to have a good chance at recording a 100-yard rushing game against a Baylor defense that ranks ninth in the 10-team conference in rush defense, allowing 177.3 per game. The Bears gave up 247 yards on the ground last weekend during a 33-23 home loss to TCU.
Bears at Cyclones Betting Pick for November 7, 2020
The Bears lead the all-time series 10-8 over Iowa State but are only 4-5 in trips to Ames dating back to 1988. The Cyclones overcame 360 yards in total offense by Baylor’s Charlie Brewer (288 passing, 72 rushing) to win 28-14 in 2018, the last time they played in Ames. Brewer has averaged 207.5 yards a game passing in Baylor’s four outings this season.
Bears at Cyclones Betting Pick:
Cyclones 45, Bears 14
Bears at Cyclones Best Bet for November 7, 2020
The Cyclones will be looking to get back home for the first time since a 31-15 win over Texas Tech on Oct. 10. They split their last two on the road, losing 24-21 at Oklahoma State and routing Kansas 52-22. The Bears have contended with COVID issues all year and are coming off a 33-23 loss to TCU.
Bears at Cyclones Best Bet: OVER 51.5
