The Baylor Bears have been an offensive juggernaut for years, but the defense has never quite shown up like this. While the competition hasn’t been too tough, the team has been impressive in scoring defense to help kickstart a 4-0 start.
Baylor will aim to keep both sides of the ball humming in a Week 5 road game where it is a heavy favorite against the Iowa State Cyclones. Iowa State is just 1-3 on the season and 0-1 in the Big 12.
This contest in Week 5 of the regular season will go down Saturday, October 1, 2016, at 12 p.m. ET at Jack Trice Stadium.
NCAA Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Baylor -17
Iowa State +17
Over/Under 60
Odds Analysis
The Bears have to win this one in a blowout to cover, and that’s no easy task both on the road and against a conference opponent. However, the bettors have confidence in that happening as Baylor is being wagered on at nearly an 85 percent clip to cover the spread.
The over-under seems a bit low for this one as Baylor can really put up points in a hurry. Bettors agree as they are taking the “over” on the scoring total 89 percent of the time right now.
Player to Watch
Seth Russell -- The Baylor quarterback should be in for a big night. Iowa State is giving up less than 200 passing yards per game on the season but that’s because a few teams have let off the gas after getting up on them big.
The Bears could do the same, but expect Russell to star in at least the first two quarters. He is 80-of-133 for 1,148 yards with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions this season. He threw for 29 touchdowns against only six interceptions a year ago and is also a threat to run the ball.
Russell is a tough player to bottle up and if he plays well, Iowa State will have little answer.
Key stat
13. That’s Baylor’s national ranking currently. The Bears have moved up the rankings and would love to push into the top 10 soon. They have some tough games coming up against Texas, Oklahoma, and TCU, but running the table would likely put them in the College Football Playoff.
Baylor has won every game this season by double digits and has shown a fantastic balance between a high-powered offense and a strong defense. The team is outscoring opponents by an average of 28.5 points per contest, and while that isn’t expected to remain as the games get tougher, it’s a start that has turned many heads.
The Bears weren’t ranked high heading into the season but have shown they may again be one of college football’s best teams,
Free ATS Pick
Iowa State is in dire straits after the slow start, and making a bowl game could be an uphill battle. An upset win over Baylor would be a huge step in the right direction, but frankly, it seems nearly impossible
The Cyclones are only scoring 21 points per game and giving up 29, and that has been against teams with much less talent than Baylor. Iowa State will need a big game from quarterback Joel Lanning, but he has been underwhelming this season with 605 passing yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.
Baylor is 2-2 against the spread this year after being favored in every game. Iowa State is also 2-2 against the spread and is 1-1 when trying to cover as an underdog.
While Iowa State has a big cushion as a 17-point underdog, Baylor is going to roll to the victory in this one and cover the spread. The “over” is also the correct call as the Bears should be able to overwhelm Iowa State offensively.
NCAA Football Odds: Baylor 42, Iowa State 20
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
