Around the Region: Baylor-Iowa State, TCU-SMU highlight a jam-packed college football slate across Texas

Mandatory Credit: Photo by LM Otero/AP/Shutterstock (13381705k) Head coach Sonny Dykes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tarleton State in Fort Worth, Texas Tarleton State TCU Football, Fort Worth, United States – 10 Sep 2022

Around the Region: Baylor-Iowa State, TCU-SMU highlight a jam-packed college football slate across Texas

#17 BAYLOR BEARS (2-1, 0-0 Big 12)

Last Week: Won vs Texas State, 42-7

This Week: at Iowa State (3-0)

Game Time: Saturday, 11:00am CT

TV/Radio: ESPN2/Baylor Radio Network

The Baylor Bears begin Big 12 play Saturday as they pay a visit to Ames, Iowa, for a battle with the Iowa State Cyclones. Baylor finished their non-conference schedule at 2-1, handling both home games in dominant fashion with an overtime loss on the road at #21 BYU sandwiched between them. The Cyclones welcome Baylor to town after a perfect 3-0 record in non-conference play, most notably defeating their rival Iowa 10-7 on the road. Iowa State’s defense will present an incredibly tough challenge for the Bears, having only allowed 9 points per game through the season’s first three weeks. Baylor defeated Iowa State 31-29 last season in Waco, but both offenses look rather different this season. Gerry Bohanon and Brock Purdy are no longer the quarterbacks leading these offenses, and Breece Hall no longer offers a punishing force in the Cyclone backfield. The Bears hope that the experience they gained in a hostile environment two weeks ago at BYU helps them as they head on the road this week. Baylor only averaged 2.9 yards per carry and 4.9 yards per pass in the loss in Provo, which will need to improve if they hope to leave Ames with a win. They’ll also need to be more disciplined, as the loss at BYU saw Baylor penalized 14 times for 117 yards. The last three meetings between these two conference foes have been decided by a touchdown or less, and Saturday’s matchup is likely to deliver another tight finish. 

TCU HORNED FROGS (2-0, 0-0 Big 12)

Last Week: Bye

This Week: at SMU (2-1)

Game Time: Saturday, 11:00am CT

TV/Radio: ESPNU/WBAP 820 AM, SiriusXM 99

The TCU Horned Frogs haven’t played since September 11, when they dominated FCS foe Tarleton State 59-17 at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Frogs quarterback Max Duggan threw for five touchdowns in the game, an efficient and productive performance for the senior heading into the bye week. To date, TCU hasn’t been challenged much by their schedule, but that will change quickly with their trip to Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas Saturday. The SMU Mustangs are eager to bounce back after a close loss at Maryland last week and are confident following a road win at TCU last year, 42-34. Both quarterbacks from that game return to duke it out again in 2022, but the Horned Frogs are glad to know former Mustangs’ running back Ulysses Bentley IV has transferred to Ole Miss after he punished them for 153 yards rushing in last season’s meeting. TCU head coach Sonny Dykes was the head coach at SMU from 2017 until 2021, leading the Mustangs to a 30-18 record but never reached a conference championship game or won a bowl game. SMU has sold out the game in anticipation of his return, setting the stage for what should be an exciting showdown in the Dallas-Fort Worth rivalry. For TCU, the game is their final non-conference battle before starting Big 12 play next weekend at home against #6 Oklahoma. 

OTHER ACTION AROUND THE REGION (All games Saturday, 9/24 unless specified otherwise)

FOOTBALL BOWL SUBDIVISION: 

Boise State at UTEP – Friday, 8:00pm CT

North Texas at Memphis – 2:30pm CT

Rice at Houston – 5:00pm CT

Houston Baptist at Texas State – 6:00 pm CT

FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION

Lamar at Northwestern State – 3:30pm CT

Tarleton State at North Alabama – 6:00pm CT

Incarnate Word at Southeastern Louisiana – 6:00pm CT

Warner at Stephen F Austin – 6:00pm CT

North American University at Texas A&M Commerce – 6:00pm CT

Western New Mexico at Abilene Christian – 7:00pm CT

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