GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Iowa State WR Hakeem Butler vs. Baylor defensive backs. Two games ago, West Virginia’s 6-foot-4 David Sills torched the Bears for 139 yards and two TDs on just five catches. Butler has to be looking at that stat line and salivating. The 6-foot-6 Cyclones receiver has just 33 catches this season, but he’s gaining momentum with three-straight 100-yard receiving games and four TDs during the surge. Baylor isn’t strong enough in run defense to devote too much attention to Butler, so they’ll have to slow him down with some one-on-one coverage.
DRAFT SLANT
–WR Denzel Mims caught just one pass for six yards in the victory over Oklahoma State, but it was a big one. Mims, who said he wasn’t feeling well on Saturday, won a jump ball versus Cowboys cornerback A.J. Green to catch the game-winning touchdown with seven seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
ROSTER REPORT:
–QB Charlie Brewer left the West Virginia game with a head injury and was in the concussion protocol. He was cleared to play against Oklahoma State and entered the game late in the third quarter. He is expected to be available at Iowa State.
–WR Denzel Mims caught just one pass for six yards against Oklahoma State. He said he was feeling sick on Saturday morning before the game. It’s unclear whether an illness was the only thing slowing him down versus the Cowboys.
–CB Grayland Arnold has missed the last four games with an ankle injury. He’s doubtful this week against Iowa State.
–LG Xavier Newman suffered a high ankle sprain in the win over Kansas and missed the next four games. He returned to action against Oklahoma State.
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