Baylor Bear Insider Jerry Hill gives his three takeaways from Monday's weekly press conference with head coach Dave Aranda talking about the 14^th-ranked Bears' 31-24 road win at Iowa State and the Big 12 home opener between the Bears (3-1, 1-0) and No. 7/9 Oklahoma State (3-0, 0-0), which kicks off at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at McLane Stadium and will be broadcast by FOX:

1. 'THOSE GUYS ARE GONE': Seven of All-Big 12 quarterback Spencer Sanders' 12 interceptions last season came against Baylor. In fact, the Bears have picked off the OSU quarterback 10 times in four previous meetings. But, of those 10 interceptions, only four were recorded by players still on Baylor's defense (safety Christian Morgan, linebackers Dillon Doyle and Matt Jones and defensive end Brayden Utley). "I think it would have to go to what we've said in the past," Aranda said. "Prior to Iowa State, it was (Trestan) Ebner had the return for a touchdown. JT (Woods) had the pick to close out the game. Abram (Smith) had the run that moved the pile at the end of the game. Those guys did that, and those guys are gone. That's where you have to start. 'We're all starting on even ground, and here's the stuff you can do today to earn it.' If it's not like that, I think the appreciation of what other guys have done can almost intoxicate you."
2. SPEED TO BURN: Other than Sanders, who ranks first in the Big 12 with 305.3 yards passing per game, Aranda said what's impressive about the Cowboys is "their team speed really flashes on the tape." Sixth-year senior receiver Braydon Johnson, who missed all but one game of last year's Fiesta Bowl season, ranks among the best in the nation with 14 catches for 300 yards, three touchdowns and a 21.4-yard average per catch. Through the first four games, "we've been probably looked at as the fastest team of whoever we've played," he said. "That's probably not the case in this one. Their ability to play fast and violent is what makes this a real competitive game."
3. FOUND HIS NICHE: It's taken a while, but sixth-year senior linebacker Bryson Jackson has "found a niche as a third-down pass rusher" and special teams contributor. Remember, he had two of Baylor's 10 sacks in the Sugar Bowl win over Ole Miss last season. Jackson had four solo tackles, two sacks and a QB hurry in the Bears' 31-24 road win at Iowa State to earn Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors. "I think he's probably always been that guy, but he's just been so humble and hasn't believed it," Aranda said. "It takes the ability to reassess kind of what we've got and see people with new eyes. The hardest work is for them to see themselves that way. And I believe that's what happened there. It couldn't happen to a better dude. Way strong leader."