FACTS & STATS: Site: Floyd Casey Stadium (50,000) -- Waco, Texas. Television:FCS. Home Record: ISU 2-1, Baylor 2-2. Away Record: ISU 0-2, Baylor 0-1. Neutral Record: ISU 0-0, Baylor 0-0. Conference Record: ISU 0-1, Baylor 0-1. Series Record: Iowa State leads, 4-3.

GAME NOTES: A pair of teams with identical records will hook up in Waco this weekend, as the Iowa State Cyclones challenge the Baylor Bears in a Big 12 tilt at Floyd Casey Stadium. The Cyclones come into the contest off another tough loss, dropping a 35-33 decision to nationally-ranked Kansas last weekend. It was the Big 12 opener for ISU, which has now dropped three games in a row following back-to-back wins to open the season. While the team may have suffered three straight defeats, it was competitive in each contest, losing its games by a combined 17 points. As for Baylor, it had the daunting task of opening league play against top-ranked Oklahoma, which easily came away with a 49-17 triumph in Waco last weekend. The loss was the Bears' second straight, as they dipped to 2-3 on the year. Baylor and ISU are meeting for the eighth time overall, with the Cyclones holding a 4-3 edge in the head-to- head series. The Bears though, stopped a four-game slide against the Cyclones by beating them 23-13 in the last meeting in 2005.

The Cyclones have done a respectable job on the offensive side of the ball this year, as they are producing 142.0 ypg on the ground and 209.6 ypg through the air. Last weekend, ISU gained 365 total yards, including 120 rushing, but it wasn't quite enough in a 35-33 loss to Kansas. Quarterback Austen Arnaud put forth quite an effort in the setback, completing 27-of-45 pass attempts for 268 yards and three touchdowns. He threw just one pick and added 44 rushing yards on 17 carries. It was certainly a positive performance for Arnaud, who has completed 63.3 percent of his tosses, with seven touchdowns and three picks for the season. He is also a threat to tuck the ball and run, posting 134 yards and four more scores on the ground. R.J. Sumrall has clearly been his primary target, as he leads the team with 25 catches, 390 yards and five touchdowns. Last weekend, Sumrall turned in another solid performance, pulling down 10 passes for 106 yards and a touchdown.

On defense, ISU has shown vulnerability at times this season and is giving up 173.4 ypg via the run and 204.6 ypg courtesy of the pass. Those numbers aren't good, but the Cyclones have been able to compensate for some of that by forcing an impressive 17 turnovers thus far. However, ISU was unable to defeat Kansas last weekend despite generating four turnovers. The Cyclones gave up 436 total yards to Kansas, which scored all 35 of its points in the second half. It was a big let down by the defense, which at least managed three sacks. James Smith and Jesse Smith each posted seven tackles in the setback, while Leonard Johnson had the same amount of stops and an interception. For the season, James Smith leads the team with 35 tackles and Jesse Smith is second with 32.

The Bears have done a good job protecting and rushing the ball thus far, as they have committed only six turnovers while averaging a healthy 218.0 ypg on the ground. Last weekend, Baylor didn't turn the ball over once and ran for 194 yards, but it didn't really matter in a 49-17 loss to Oklahoma. True freshman quarterback Robert Griffin guided the team in defeat by rushing for 102 yards and a score and throwing for 75 yards on 11-of-26 tosses. The dual threat gunslinger has enjoyed a solid start to his career and has proven to be dangerous with his legs, rushing for a team-best 437 yards and seven scores. He has also thrown for 831 yards and seven touchdowns, and more importantly, with no interceptions. Tailback Jay Finley has helped to take some of the pressure off Griffin and he has rushed for 365 yards behind an impressive 7.4 ypg average.

Defensively, the Bears are giving up 145.4 ypg on the ground and 224.6 ypg through the air, with 13 of their 18 touchdowns allowed coming by way of the run. On a positive note, Baylor has forced 12 turnovers and recorded the same amount of sacks and that has helped compensate for those yards surrendered. The defense however, is coming off a poor showing in 49-17 setback to Oklahoma. Not only did the defense give up 28 points in the opening quarter, but it also allowed 594 total yards to Oklahoma. Joe Pawelek led Baylor with 13 stops, and his 61 tackles on the year are 21 more than the next closest player on the roster.

ISU was clearly more competitive in its Big 12 opener last weekend, but Baylor has the luxury of hosting this game. The Bears though, have had some issues slowing down opposing offenses, so go with the Cyclones who are due for a win.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Iowa State 31, Baylor 23

Saturday, October 11th, 7:00 p.m. (et)