Is Baylor a rivalry game?

What is the Baylor Line? 

The last few games against the Baylor Bears have been very close and we have traded wins favoring the home team.   The last time we traveled to Wacko (Waco), the heat index on the field was hoovering around 122 degrees heat index, it was hotter than a barbeque pit in Southeast Texas mid-summer, .  We all thought it was hot during the Iowa Game at a messily 92-95 degrees.  Not only did the Bears place ISU on the sunniest side of the field where there was no shade, but they also wouldn't allow us to put up tents to stay out of the blaring sun.   These games have been close and scrappy.   I expect much of the same.   This isn't Iowa or Nebraska, but we don't like dem Bears, and dem don't like us none neither (intentional Texas draw).

Let's talk defense first Iowa State and Baylor rank #1 and #2 respectively in Big 12 Defense.   Iowa State has allowed 578 yards for average of 192.7/game.  Baylor has allowed 682 yards for an average of 227.3/game.  The Baylor defense is tighter than bark on a log.  The Bears have allowed 333 yards passing for average of 111/game and 349 yards rushing for an average of 116.3/game, the Bear defense makes a hornet look cuddly.  Iowa State has allowed 430 passing averaging 143.3/game and 148 yards rushing for an average of 49.3 yards per game.  Do wut - ya'll git out?   Nah, you read it right in 3 games (including against the  #5 Iowa Hawkeyes) The Cyclones have kept their opponents to less than 50 yards rushing per game, the Cyclone defense it is finer than creamed corn with a rare T-bone  

Baylor is 3-0 and coming off a nice win against Kansas 45-7.   The Baylor Quarterback is ranked 4th in The Big 12 with 664 yards (he's no RG3) and Brock Purdy, ISU's quarterback is 5th with 625 yards (he is no RG3 either).  Gerry Bohannon, starting QB for Bay-lor (all drawld out)  is a Junior and this is the first year he has started, I think he is still trying to find his identity.  If it is shootout that should favor Iowa State, but we won't. ISU isn't capable of going north of 24-27 points.

The Baylor Bears use a double barreled rushing attack, and they like to pull both triggers.  Abram Smith is ranked 2nd in Big 12 rushing on 47 attempts, 366 yards averaging 7.8 yards per carry and 5 touchdowns.   The 2a back is Trestan Ebner ranked 3rd in The Big 12 rushing.  Ebner has 42 attempts, 316 yards, averaging 7.5 yards per carry, with no touchdowns.  there is no yellow in the mustard of this Bear rushing attack.  The Heisman candidate Breece Hall Iowa State's lead back currently ranks #8 with 60 carries, 238 yards, and 4 touchdowns.   The first three courses consisted of a possum, armadillo, and some sort of roadkill:  Texas State, Texas Southern, and Kansas - nothing like a Caesar salad, porterhouse and a baked potato: UNI, and Iowa, and UNLV.  

Some interesting stats: Baylor has only been sacked once in the first 3 game, no interceptions on offense, and they average 46.7 points per game.  Thru the first three games The Yogi Bears have a turnover ratio of  +2, that's 2 extra picnic baskets per game.  Iowa State has averaged 27 points per game, has thrown 3 interceptions, and been sacked 3 times (you can figure the average, it is easy math).   The turnover ratio for Iowa State is -2, which is two say ISU is just a couple samitches shy of a picnic.  If you believe in Vegas and the betting line (we should because Vegas was fun), the line is favoring Iowa State at -6.5 points.   

This game might could be a belly bumper, sumo style.   The Bears are fixin' to want to run the ball on offense and create turnovers on defense.   The Cyclones are going to want to use a methodical but balanced attack on offense, and car crushing run defense.  Fax it in folks, this one will be a nail bitter.  Two years ago it was 23-21 Bears victorious in Wacko.  I would anticipate another game of stiff  defense (like a good whiskey, and a Saturday night).   If Baylor wins the turnover battle they win.  Iowa State has been able to overcome poor decisions and turnovers in the past but, not so much this year.   I'm not at all confident about this game, particularly with our turnover history and the lack back breaking rushing production from our running game, it leaves Iowa State with a big hole in the fence and our steers may be on the wrong side. 

Baylor has a pretty cool tradition called the Baylor Line.   And now for the rest of the story this video explains what the Baylor Line is: What is The Baylor Line   Saturday, we all be ready and rarin' to go, until then ya'll come back now ya hear.   Church is dismissed!