BAYLOR vs. KANSAS STATE:
FIVE KEYS TO SATURDAY'S GAME

1. CONTROL THE CLOCK: Dominated in time of possession through the first three weeks, the Bears turned that around in a 49-41 loss to third-ranked Oklahoma. They converted on 9-of-21 third downs, kept the ball for nearly 18 minutes in the first half and finished with more than 31 minutes. Conversely, K-State and coach Bill Snyder like to run the clock and keep your offense off the field. Baylor has to find a way to establish the run after gaining just 117 yards combined the last two weeks on 62 attempts. "I don't care if we have to run the triple-option, we have to find some way to run the football," coach Matt Rhule said, "just to get everyone involved and take some heat off the quarterback.

2. NEXT MAN UP: Chris Platt, the Bears' most consistent receiver and best deep threat, is likely lost for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Denzel Mims came through with a monster game against OU, with career highs for catches (11), yards (192) and touchdowns (3). But, other receivers like Pooh Stricklin, Jared Atkinson and R.J. Sneed have to give quarterback Zach Smith some more reliable options. Similarly, with disruptive defensive end Xavier Jones also out with a knee injury, Deonte Williams, Jamie Jacobs and Greg Roberts have to fill that void in the pass rush.

3. LIMIT THE BIG PLAYS: Oklahoma broke off a 99-yard touchdown run and eight other "explosive" plays, totaling 412 yards and averaging 45.8 yards. On the Sooners' other 51 plays, Baylor's defense limited them to just 222 yards for a 4.4-yard average. K-State is more methodical, ball-control, less big-strike. But, the Bears can't let quarterback Jesse Ertz beat them with his feet. He's the Wildcats' leading rusher, averaging 5.4 yards per attempt, and does it more out of power formations and option runs than scrambling and freelancing the way OU's Baker Mayfield does.

4. WIN SPECIAL TEAMS: Another trademark of Snyder's teams is outstanding special teams play. And this year is no different. Kick returner D.J. Reed has scored on a 62-yard punt return and also has a 96-yard kickoff return to his credit. Special teams kept Baylor in the game against OU and gave the Bears a chance at the end. Tony Nicholson had a 42-yard punt return to set up the first score; Connor Martin earned Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors after booting field goals of 32, 36, 41 and a career-long 46-yarder; and Taylor Young recovered Drew Galitz's on-side kick with 1:41 left.

5. TAKE THE CROWD OUT OF IT: Manhattan and Bill Snyder Family Stadium (50,000-seat capacity) may not have the same reputation as some of the big houses in college football, but it's one of the loudest venues in the country, with the fans right on top of you. Rhule prepped for it by practicing in the indoor facility and cranking up the music as loud as it would go. The Bears need to try to silence the crowd, keep them out of it and live on the quiet. When you're on the road, a quiet home stadium is like music to your ears.