Iowa State: Xavier Hutchinson (WR)

Hutchinson might be an obvious choice for Iowa State’s player to watch, but there’s a reason. He has 319 receiving yards and five touchdowns through the first three games of the season. That’s the same amount of touchdowns he had in the entire 2021 season.

It may be too early to tell, but the signs are pointing to a historic season for Hutchinson. Dekkers has been loving Hutchinson, finding him on double-digit targets in each of the first three games, resulting in 28 receptions on the year.

As Iowa State starts Big 12 play, every key player will need to contribute. Scoring one or more touchdowns a game is a tough pace to keep up, but so far, it seems Hutchinson is an end zone magnet. If Iowa State wants to come out on top, Hutchinson needs another big game.

Baylor: Richard Reese (RB)

Baylor has been tearing through the competition thanks to the elite running back room. With three players sharing similar shares of the snaps, one running back is bound to have a good game.

Iowa State may be ranked fifth nationally in rushing defense, but it hasn’t faced an offense as volatile as Baylor so far this season. Reese is coming off a hot game against Texas State, where he rushed for 156 yards and three touchdowns. 

Reese is also similar to Hutchinson when it comes to finding the end zone. In three games, he’s punched the ball into the end zone five times.

In three games, Reese averages seven yards every time he touches the ball. If Iowa State’s defense can’t make stops early in the game, Reese could easily have another monster day.