Baylor vs. Iowa State: Art Briles defends defensive coordinator

The Baylor Bears are still searching for their first win in the Big 12 this season, and one of the worst defenses in the nation isn't helping.

With his team surrendering an average of 44 points per game -- which ranks 124th in the country -- Baylor head coach Art Briles said Monday he "certainly" has faith in defensive coordinator Phil Bennett to turn the unit around, according to a report by Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Monday.

"We're certainly depleted a little bit depth wise, no doubt. That's a concern," Briles said in the report. "What we have to do is play better. We have to get off the field on third downs, that is the most critical factor for us. That has been a thorn for us this season."

In giving up 553.17 total yards per game defensively, the Bears rank last in the country in that category. Their last four games have seen them allow respective point totals of 47 in a win and 70, 49 and 56 in three-straight defeats.

Baylor (3-3, 0-3 in the Big 12) visits the Iowa State Cyclones (4-3, 1-3 in the Big 12), a team that averages 23.6 points per game this season, on Saturday evening.