Baylor @ Kansas State preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 23, 2010 ) Kansas State 42, Baylor 47

THE STORY: No. 16 Baylor racked up a school-record 683 total yards in a 47-42 shootout win over Kansas State last year, and this matchup could bring more of the same. While the Bears have arguably the nation’s best quarterback in Robert Griffin III and like to air it out, the Wildcats take more of a methodical approach and rely on the legs of quarterback Collin Klein and running back John Hubert. Baylor trails only Georgia Tech in total offense, but Kansas State is sixth in the country in total defense, allowing just 246 yards per game. This has been a back-and-forth series lately, as the home team has won the last four meetings by an average of 21 points.

TV: ABC. Line: Baylor -3.5

ABOUT BAYLOR (3-0, 0-0 Big 12): The Bears are probably hoping this game against K-State is as memorable as the last one, when they ran for 279 yards and Griffin threw for 404 as Baylor became bowl eligible for the first time since 1994. Griffin is putting up ridiculous stats through three games, like the fact that he’s thrown more touchdowns (13) than incompletions (12). He’s completed 85 percent of his passes and is the nation’s leader in passing efficiency with a 236.2 rating. Griffin’s average touchdown pass goes for 30.1 yards, meaning 40.7 percent of his passing yardage has come on scoring plays.

ABOUT KANSAS STATE (3-0, 0-0 Big 12): The Wildcats got a huge upset win at Miami last weekend when they stopped the Hurricanes on four straight plays inside the 2-yard line to hold on, 28-24. Klein and Hubert combined to run for 259 yards on 40 carries, and much of that came on the same read-option play out of the shotgun. Kansas State’s 11th-ranked pass defense will face its toughest test yet against Griffin, as the Wildcats have allowed only 472 total passing yards through three games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Since winning the 2003 Big 12 title game, Kansas State is just 2-15 against Top 25 teams, and both wins were over Texas.

2. Baylor is just 5-54 all-time in Big 12 road games but won two last year for the first time ever.

3. The Bears haven’t started a season 4-0 since 1991.

PREDICTION: Baylor 42, Kansas State 24 -- While the Wildcats’ defense has put up nice stats so far, it hasn’t faced a quarterback like Griffin, who will continue his scorching start to the season.