Baylor 2022 Season Preview: Iowa State Cyclones
The Baylor Bears football team kicks off week four with a Big 12 Conference showdown against the Iowa State Cyclones in Ames, Iowa.
Last season, Baylor narrowly escaped with a 31-29 victory over Iowa State in week four at McLane Stadium.
The Bears hold a slim 11-9 edge in the 20 overall matchups between these two schools. Over the past four seasons, Baylor and Iowa State are an even 2-2 with both schools winning on their home turf.
Will that pattern continue in 2022, or will the Bears shift the tide with a win on the road?
Here's a quick glance at Baylor's week four opponent.
Iowa State Cyclones
2021 Record: 7-6 (5-4 Big 12)
Head coach: Matt Campbell
Campbell is in his seventh season at Iowa State and owns a 42-34 record as the coach of the Cyclones.
Offensive Scheme: Spread
Defensive Set: Mainly 3-3-5, with occasional adjustments to a 4-2-5
Returning starters on offense: 7
Offensive coordinator Tom Manning enters his sixth season with the Cyclones and returns seven starters from the 2021 squad. The biggest question marks for this team offensively centers around the quarterback, running back and tight end positions.
Last year, the Cyclones averaged 263.8 passing yards and 160.8 rushing yards per game. They also lost five one-score contests in 2021, as Iowa State looks to bounce back from a disappointing seven-win season.
Projected offensive starters:
QB Hunter Dekkers
RB Jirehl Brock
WR-X Xavier Hutchinson*
WR-Z Darren Wilson Jr.*
WR-SL Jaylin Noel*
TE-Y Easton Dean
TE-F Jared Rus
LT Tyler Miller
LG Jarrod Hufford*
OC Trevor Downing*
RG Darrell Simmons Jr.*
RT Jake Remsburg*
Returning starters on defense: 5
Defensive coordinator Jon Heacock enters his seventh year at Iowa State and has many holes to fill with just five returning starters in the projected lineup as there will be many new names in the secondary in 2022.
However, with Will McDonald IV returning as Iowa State's all-time career sacks leader, opposing quarterbacks still have much to fear as the upcoming season looms.
Projected defensive starters:
DE Will McDonald IV*
NT Isaiah Lee*
DE Blake Peterson
WLB Gerry Vaughn
MLB O'Rien Vance*
SLB Colby Reeder
LCB Myles Purchase
MS Beau Freyler
BS Malik Verdon
FS Anthony Johnson Jr.*
RCB T.J. Tampa*
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Denton Ramsey has been a journalist for over 20 years with a decade of experience as a sports writer and editor for a plethora of newspapers throughout Texas and Alabama. Growing up in Houston and attending Baylor University, Ramsey is a die-hard sports fan with a true passion for writing. He may be reached via email at denton.itb@gmail.com