Baylor vs Iowa State football: Getting to know the Bears offense

Last year, Iowa State really got to know Baylor’s offense. 10 times. Let the Bears get any sort of momentum and it’s a snowball that some of the best defenses in the nation can’t stop, let alone a team that has a bunch of young defenders.

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A lot of those players are back, but injuries might slow them down, and Iowa State’s defense isn’t as big of a joke as people may think.

Starting lineup*

• WR: Davion Hall (16, Fr)
• IR: KD Cannon (9, Fr)
• RT: Troy Baker (75, Sr)
• RG: Desmine Hilliard (67, Jr)
• C: Kyle Fuller (55, So)
• LG: Blake Muir (73, Jr) or Laquan McGowan (60, Jr)
• LT: Spencer Drango (58, Jr)
• TE: Tre’von Armstead (41, So)
• IR: Lynx Hawthorne (7, So)
• WR: Jay Lee (4, Jr) or Corey Coleman (1, So)
• QB: Bryce Petty (14, Sr)
• RB: Shock Linwood (32, So) or Devin Chafin (28, So)
• UB: Johnny Jefferson (2, RFr)

Here’s the injury situation for Baylor: Quarterback Bryce Petty is absolutely fine — they don’t have to worry about him. One wide receiver for sure won’t be able to go — Levi Norwood — which we figured as his return will be next week at the earliest.

Another receiver — Clay Fuller — is listed as questionable as of Sunday and got X-rays on Monday. His status hasn’t been updated yet. The other two receivers — Antwan Goodley and Corey Coleman — are listed as probable. Coleman’s even made the depth chart.

So did Devin Chafin, who’s actually still listed as questionable. Even the quarterback put his status at about 75 percent ready. Head coach Art Briles expects Chafin, Goodley, and Coleman to all play.

Sep 6, 2014; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears offensive tackle Spencer Drango (58) and wide receiver KD Cannon (9) celebrate a touchdown against the Northwestern State Demons during the game at McLane Stadium. The Bears defeated the Demons 70-6. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Remember, the best area on the Iowa State defense is its secondary. Play has also improved throughout the defense as the lineup has been juggled at the line and at linebacker. None of these receivers will be 100 percent, and the Cyclones have to capitalize by being incredibly smart in man-to-man coverage.

The problem for ISU’s defense is even if any of Baylor’s top receivers aren’t good to go or don’t play up to their potential, the backups that are projected to start have had enough time to get their feet wet. The only thing they have to adjust to is playing against a much stronger opponent than they’ve faced all season.

KD Cannon has emerged as the strongest receiver so far this season. The freshman has already recorded 471 yards on 14 catches and scored five touchdowns. Jay Lee, a junior, has had 294 yards on 19 catches and scored four touchdowns

Of course, we haven’t even touched on the running back position. Both of their primary backs have over 200 yards and over 40 carries each. Both of them also have combined for six scores.

As you can see, regardless of the talent that’s out there, the production is still top notch. We won’t relive Hell on Earth which is last year’s box score in Waco, but a sequel can certainly be in the works if Iowa State didn’t learn anything from a season ago.

*Obviously, not all 13 guys will be on the field at once, but select skill players will be on the field depending on what play is called.