Football teams with an offensive prowess like Baylor make it seem like they are always a play ahead of the defense — and in some cases, they are. But ISU football coach Paul Rhoads’ game plan is simple this week. 

Take things one play at a time.

In a game this big for the ISU team (1-2, 0-1 Big 12) — who found its rhythm against Iowa two weekends ago — it can’t afford to get caught up in everything that comes with the cameras and lights. That includes Baylor’s reputation as an offensive powerhouse. 

“We don’t need any chips on our shoulders and we’re not playing with one this game or any other game and the reason I’m saying that is we’re learning how to win, we’re learning how to grow, we’re learning how to mature and that truly needs to be our focus,” Rhoads said.

The chip Rhoads is referring to can be applied twofold: Iowa State being a 23.5 point underdog at its own stadium and the 71-7 loss to Baylor last season. 

Iowa State will rely on its strong pass rush, hoping to be the first team this season to register a sack against Baylor. It will rely heavily on Big 12 sack leader Cory Morrissey and a young secondary who will be challenged by Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty and a deep group of Baylor receivers. 

Baylor also has a defensive end to lean on, redshirt junior Shawn Oakman. Oakman, a transfer from Penn State, is larger for a defensive end, standing at 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighing in at 280 pounds. Oakman’s speed is also notable, as he has tackled runners in the backfield four times and has registered three sacks. 

Baylor’s defense is 14th in the nation in pass defense, allowing an average of 156.0 passing yards per game. Rhoads and Mark Mangino, offensive coordinator and tight ends coach for Iowa State, both spoke highly of quarterback Sam Richardson this week, commenting on his continual improvement since the first game. 

“Sam has done a really good job for us in a lot of ways and for Sam it’s just continuing to understand our progressions in the pass game, be a little more patient at times,” Mangino said. 

Almost four games into the season, Mangino said he is starting to see his offense take on a personality, which is in partly due to Richardson’s leadership. 

“I think our offense is starting to mold around him a bit and is starting to take on a bit of a personality and Sam is in kind of a leadership position out there for us,” Mangino said. “I just want to see Sam keep getting better and I think he will.”

Iowa State plays Baylor at 7:20 p.m. Sept. 27 at Jack Trice Stadium.