Things just don’t get any easier for the Iowa State Cyclones. After giving up a whopping 111 points in dropping their last two games, the Cyclones get to face their third straight high-scoring opponent when they try to cover the spread against the explosive Baylor Bears on Saturday. Now, let’s find out if the Cyclones can cover the NCAA Football spread in their Big-12 battle as insane five-touchdown road dogs!
How To Bet The Cyclones @ Bears NCAAF Odds & Game Info
When: Saturday, October 24, 12:00 PM ET
Where: McLane Stadium, Waco, Texas
NCAAF Odds: Baylor -36
The new @CBSSports 128 has Baylor No. 1, LSU No. 2 after wild week. Where’s your team? http://t.co/CrI24L4iV1 pic.twitter.com/GpHJDfWJt5
— CBS Sports CFB (@CBSSportsCFB) October 19, 2015
Why Bet on the Iowa State Cyclones (2-4 SU, 2-3-1 ATS)
One week after getting blown out 66-31 by Texas Tech, Iowa State got smacked around in their humbling 45-21 home loss against TCU while failing to cover the spread as a 20.5-point underdog. The Cyclones allowed TCU Heisman Trophy candidate Trevone Boykin to throw four touchdown passes and rush for another while losing two fumbles and going just 3-for-12 on third down. “He was certainly showing off his legs tonight,” Iowa State coach Paul Rhodes said of Boykin. “You’ve got to be ready for it.”
Iowa State quarterback Sam Richardson completed 22 of 36 passes for 251 yards but failed to throw a touchdown in the loss as the Cyclones never scored after putting 21 first quarter points on the board. Iowa State ranks a modest 81st in scoring (26.8 ppg) and an even more discouraging 96th in points allowed (32.0 ppg).
Why Bet on the Baylor Bears (6-0 SU, 4-1 ATS)
Second-ranked Baylor absolutely throttled West Virginia in its overpowering 62-38 victory on Saturday at McLane Stadium. Bears’ signal-caller Seth Russell completed 20 of 32 passes for 380 yards and five touchdowns while adding an uncharacteristic 160 rushing yards and another score in the blowout win. “(Russell is) really playing well for us,” Briles said. “That’s really the most encouraging thing. I’m having a hard time finding faults.”
Baylor head coach Art Briles said his team extracted some revenge for his team’s 41-27 road loss against the Mountaineers last season. “We didn’t feel like we had a good name in West Virginia,” Briles said. “That was kind of our motivating factor. Nothing to do with rankings, nothing to do with getting bowl eligible. Nothing to do with anything other than when people talk about us up there, we want them saying good things about our football program.”
Baylor wide receiver Corey Coleman caught 10 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns to increase his total to 16 for the season and set a new Bears school record for TD receptions in a season. “He’s the best player in college football,” West Virginia coach Dana Holgersen said. “You can put me on record for that. Corey Coleman is the best football player in the country.”
My Expert Game Analysis, Prediction & Pick
Baylor has won 19 consecutive home games and that marks the longest streak in the nation and I’m going to back them to narrowly cover the spread in this Week 8 matchup, although I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t like the huge point spread for this matchup. Still, a convincing 62 percent of the betting public likes Baylor and I believe that’s the right call. Baylor ranks first in total offense, sixth in passing, second in rushing and first in scoring by putting up an average of 63.8 points per game and Iowa State simply doesn’t have the talent to keep up with a team like the Bears.
The Cyclones are just 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record, 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall and a dismal 1-7 ATS in their last eight conference games. Conversely, the Bears are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 home games versus a team with a losing road record and a bankroll-boosting 26-6 ATS in their last 32 home games.
The Favorite in this series is 5-0-1 ATS in their last six meetings and the home team is 10-1-1 ATS in their last dozen meetings. Last but not least, Iowa State has compiled a pitiful 0-6 ATS mark in their last six road dates against the Bears.
My Pick: Baylor 63 Iowa State 28
