Staff predictions: Can Baylor football stop Avery Johnson and down Kansas State?
Baylor, 3-2 on the season, is in need of a big home win. Both losses thus far have come in McLane Stadium against Auburn and Arizona State. The only signature win Baylor has on the schedule is at SMU, but the Mustangs don't appear to be the same team they were last year.
While Kansas State isn't the team many thought it would be, the 'Cats are better than the record shows. Avery Johnson is a dual-threat QB who can challenge the Baylor defense. While K-State has already lost three games, Baylor can't overlook the Wildcats.
Baylor Bears on SI predicts what will happen in the game.
Trent Knoop
This game will come down to the Baylor defense stopping the Wildcats. I don't think Kansas State will be able to shut down Sawyer Robertson and Co. The Baylor offense should be able to move the ball and score points -- assuming turnovers aren't an issue like they were against both Auburn and ASU. But again, can the Baylor defense stop Avery Johnson? K-State hasn't been the darling many thought it would be at the beginning of the season, but don't let the record fool you -- this game will be hard.
I've picked Baylor every game so far, and twice it's burned me against good teams. I don't think the 'Cats are as good as either Auburn or Arizona State, but Baylor has to prove to me it can beat a good QB at home.
Final score: Kansas State 34, Baylor 31
Josh Abraham
Now in the thick of their conference schedule, the Bears are back at home for a face off against the Kansas State Wildcats. After a win in Stillwater that was closer than many expected, the Bears will have their hands full with Kansas State. Although the Wildcats have not quite lived up to preseason expectations, this is a game that the Bears must win if they still have post season aspirations. The key to this game on the Baylor side of things will be the containment of the K-State offense, and the play of the nation's leader in passing yards, Sawyer Robertson. Ultimately, I think the Bears come away with the win in a close one.
Final score: Baylor 31, Kansas State 24
Josh Crawrford
These are the type of conference games Baylor needs to be able to feel comfortable about if they’re the team they say they are in 2025. Not the dominant showing you’d like against a conference bottom feeder in Stillwater, but, to truly stamp yourself as a top tier team in the Big 12, you need this one to build momentum, get a winning record in conference, and start to separate. This defense held the last running quarterback in check, and I think they can again.
Final score: Baylor 37, Kansas State 27
Kyle Besson
Baylor is coming off a strong win over Oklahoma State that saw the offense put up over 600 yards of offense, but now facing a stronger defense, points will be harder to come by. The offense should still be efficient on Saturday, but not at the standard we’ve seen them work with in five games this season.
Final score: Baylor 24, Kansas State 23
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-c6d300a6cd3bbc37e5025fa0d47bc7a7.jpeg "Trent Knoop")
Trent is the Publisher of Baylor Bears on SI and also serves as the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines on SI. His work has additionally been featured on Maryland on SI, Wisconsin on SI, and across the USA TODAY Sports network. Trent’s love of sports and being able to tell stories to fans is what made him get into writing.
Josh started covering Baylor athletics in July 2025. Prior to Baylor Bears on SI, he worked as an intern for TheMichiganInsider at 247Sports. Josh graduated from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, with a bachelor’s degree in economics, where his passion for collegiate athletics continued to grow after attending his first game in The Big House. Combining his analytical background and his affinity for collegiate sports, Josh enjoys providing his unique perspective on the shifting dynamic equilibrium of the collegiate athletics landscape. When not watching sports, Josh enjoys cooking a nice meal, running, and traveling to new places with his friends and family.
Josh began covering Baylor athletics in July 2025. Before this, he previously wrote for Syracuse men's basketball and football at SI from 2022-24. As a former Division I defensive lineman at Prairie View, Josh is passionate about storytelling from a former athlete's perspective. When he's not covering Baylor, he enjoys traveling, listening to podcasts and music, and loves cooking a good meal.
Kyle is a writer for the Baylor Bears on SI. He is a student at the University of New Orleans and studies journalism. He also covers the New Orleans Saints and has previously covered the LSU Tigers football team. Kyle loves all aspects of sports and has used that to pursue a career as a writer.