Baylor @ Iowa State preview

Baylor at Iowa State

Last Meeting ( Oct 8, 2011 ) Iowa State 26, Baylor 49

Two desperate teams battle in Ames, Iowa, on Saturday when Iowa State hosts the high-octane Baylor offense. Both Iowa State (two) and Baylor (three) are in mid-season losing streaks and the winner of this Big 12 showdown will give itself much needed momentum heading into November and maintaining hope of earning a bowl bid. Baylor, which has allowed a staggering 175 points in the last three weeks, is third in the nation in scoring at 48 points per game. Iowa State, hosting the 100th Homecoming game in school history, has scored only 31 points during its skid, but is facing a Baylor team that is last in the nation in total defense.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN. LINE: Baylor -2.5

ABOUT BAYLOR (3-3, 0-3 Big 12): The Bears lead the nation in passing offense (390.7) and rank third in total offense (574.2). Baylor has scored 45 or more points in nine of its last 10 games. Quarterback Nick Florence, who took over for departed Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, has not missed a beat in the up-tempo Baylor offense. Florence leads the nation in total offense (407.2), ranks second in passing yards (371.0) and third in passing efficiency. Florence has thrown for 2,226 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for four more scores. Wide receiver Terrance Williams leads the nation in receiving yards per game (168.8) and yards per catch (21.6). Williams, with 1,013 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, has caught a TD pass in five straight games.

ABOUT IOWA STATE (4-3, 1-3): The Cyclones are third in the league in scoring defense, allowing 27 points per game and third in pass efficiency defense. Iowa State's defense is anchored by linebackers A.J. Klein and Jake Knott. Klein, who was voted co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year by the coaches last year, is second on the team with 54 tackles and his four interception returns for touchdowns in his career are tied for the most in NCAA history by a linebacker. Knott leads Iowa State with 68 tackles, including six for loss. Iowa State will play two quarterbacks: Steele Jantz has completed 65 percent of his passes while throwing seven touchdowns with seven interceptions, while Jared Barnett has tossed six TDs with four INTs while completing less than 49 percent of his passes. The Cyclones are ninth in the league in scoring and last in rushing and total offense.

1. The series is tied 5-5, but the Bears have won three of the last four, including last year's 49-26 victory in Waco.

2. In six career road starts, Florence has posted four of his top seven single game yardage marks, including three this year. Florence passed for 581 at West Virginia, 352 last week at Texas, and 351 at Louisiana-Monroe. Baylor is averaging 53.3 points in three road games this year.

3. Iowa State averages 23.6 points per game, ninth in the Big 12, while Florence is responsible for 24.0 points per game himself, which is second in the nation.

PREDICTION: Baylor 41, Iowa State 38