It's been a tough year for the Longhorns, but Texas will look to end on a high note by pulling an upset on the road against Baylor. We break down the key match-ups.
Note: teams are given an advantage ranging from 1-5 stars.
BAYLOR PASS OFFENSE VS. TEXAS PASS DEFENSE
Baylor is down to its third-string quarterback in Chris Johnson, which obviously brings a lot of limitations to the passing game. Simply put, Johnson is not what Seth Russell or Jarrett Stidham is. People close to the Baylor program expect the coaches to put him in safe plays, while still taking some vertical shots against one-on-one coverage. The offense won't look the same as it looked for nine-and-a-half games it played, where it really stressed a secondary with throws downfield. Corey Coleman is one of the nation's best players, but his numbers have completely tailed off since the K-State game. On the flipside, K.D. Cannon has been pretty hot. Nobody played well last week, but you can basically throw that game out due to the weather. Overall, the passing game is a shell of what it was before the quarterback injuries, but there's enough talent at the wide receiver position that it will still be a challenge for Texas.
EDGE: Baylor
BAYLOR RUN OFFENSE VS. TEXAS RUN DEFENSE
If you look at the play distribution the last couple games, Baylor has had 70+ rush attempts against both TCU and Oklahoma State. Shock Linwood is healthier than he has been the past few weeks, when he has been dealing with leg problem and hasn't been 100 percent. He reportedly has looked better in practice this week. Linwood is a north-south guy who does most of his damage between the tackles so Texas will have to be good in the middle of its defense. The Bears may distribute the carries between him, Devin Chafin and Johnny Jefferson this week if they go with a ground-heavy attack. QB Chris Johnson can run, but he's more powerful in short yardage situations than a guy who is going to win any foot races on the edge.
EDGE: Baylor
BAYLOR OFFENSIVE LINE VS. TEXAS DEFENSIVE LINE
Most people thought the Baylor OL would be the best unit on the team this year and while it has been decent, it hasn't been as consistent as it has needed to be. When Baylor has faced some pretty athletic fronts, the OL has been pushed around some this year. Oklahoma just wore the Bears out a few weeks ago. The line did a decent job last week against TCU in a tough environment. Spencer Drango at left tackle is the top player on the line. Overall, Baylor starts four seniors on the offensive line, with one junior at center.
EDGE: Baylor
TEXAS PASS OFFENSE VS. BAYLOR PASS DEFENSE
Baylor's defense overall has been playing best it's football since the Kansas State game a few weeks ago, despite a couple losses mixed in there. The pass defense actually ranks fourth overall in the Big 12, giving up 240 yards per game. Nickel back Travon Blanchard has really been playing well of late and has a knack for getting turnovers (2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries and 3 forced fumbles on the year). Corner Xavien Howard been good with 5 interceptions and 14 passes defensed. Chance Waz had a bad game last week and has been up and down for the most part, so Texas could go after him vertically.
EDGE: Baylor
TEXAS RUN OFFENSE VS. BAYLOR RUN DEFENSE
Baylor's run defense has been pretty good this year and ranks second in the conference, giving up 156 yards per game and just 3.6 yards per attempt. Taylor Young and Aiavion Edwards split time at linebacker and Edwards has been playing well the last few games in run support. Travon Blanchard has basically been the second best player on the defense behind Billings and he's solid in run support as well.
EDGE: Texas
TEXAS OFFENSIVE LINE VS. BAYLOR DEFENSIVE LINE
Baylor gets defensive tackle Bo Blackshear back this week. He didn't play against Oklahoma State and TCU. Defensive end Shawn Oakman gets a lot of press clippings and while he's been okay this year, he's not the dominant player some make him out to be. He has decent numbers (40 tackles, 4.5 sacks), but he does take plays off. DT Andrew Billings has had a great year and is probably best player on the entire defense. When he's healthy (sprained ankle earlier in the year), it can change so much of what Baylor wants to do because he can create pressure in the backfield on his own.
EDGE: Baylor
BAYLOR SPECIAL TEAMS VS. TEXAS SPECIAL TEAMS
Drew Galitz, Baylor's freshman punter, has had a really good year. Chris Callahan is reliable on field goals inside 40 yards but his longest kick this year is a 39-yarder. Baylor is pretty good on returns, but the coverage units have been erratic.
EDGE: Texas
INTANGIBLES
Texas stinks on the road. Baylor has won four out of the last five against the Longhorns. Texas really has nothing to play for, unless the team is holding out hope that a fifth win might get it into a bowl game. Overall edge to the Bears.
EDGE: Baylor
Note: teams are given an advantage ranging from 1-5 stars.
BAYLOR PASS OFFENSE VS. TEXAS PASS DEFENSE
Baylor is down to its third-string quarterback in Chris Johnson, which obviously brings a lot of limitations to the passing game. Simply put, Johnson is not what Seth Russell or Jarrett Stidham is. People close to the Baylor program expect the coaches to put him in safe plays, while still taking some vertical shots against one-on-one coverage. The offense won't look the same as it looked for nine-and-a-half games it played, where it really stressed a secondary with throws downfield. Corey Coleman is one of the nation's best players, but his numbers have completely tailed off since the K-State game. On the flipside, K.D. Cannon has been pretty hot. Nobody played well last week, but you can basically throw that game out due to the weather. Overall, the passing game is a shell of what it was before the quarterback injuries, but there's enough talent at the wide receiver position that it will still be a challenge for Texas.
EDGE: Baylor
BAYLOR RUN OFFENSE VS. TEXAS RUN DEFENSE
If you look at the play distribution the last couple games, Baylor has had 70+ rush attempts against both TCU and Oklahoma State. Shock Linwood is healthier than he has been the past few weeks, when he has been dealing with leg problem and hasn't been 100 percent. He reportedly has looked better in practice this week. Linwood is a north-south guy who does most of his damage between the tackles so Texas will have to be good in the middle of its defense. The Bears may distribute the carries between him, Devin Chafin and Johnny Jefferson this week if they go with a ground-heavy attack. QB Chris Johnson can run, but he's more powerful in short yardage situations than a guy who is going to win any foot races on the edge.
EDGE: Baylor
BAYLOR OFFENSIVE LINE VS. TEXAS DEFENSIVE LINE
Most people thought the Baylor OL would be the best unit on the team this year and while it has been decent, it hasn't been as consistent as it has needed to be. When Baylor has faced some pretty athletic fronts, the OL has been pushed around some this year. Oklahoma just wore the Bears out a few weeks ago. The line did a decent job last week against TCU in a tough environment. Spencer Drango at left tackle is the top player on the line. Overall, Baylor starts four seniors on the offensive line, with one junior at center.
EDGE: Baylor
TEXAS PASS OFFENSE VS. BAYLOR PASS DEFENSE
Baylor's defense overall has been playing best it's football since the Kansas State game a few weeks ago, despite a couple losses mixed in there. The pass defense actually ranks fourth overall in the Big 12, giving up 240 yards per game. Nickel back Travon Blanchard has really been playing well of late and has a knack for getting turnovers (2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries and 3 forced fumbles on the year). Corner Xavien Howard been good with 5 interceptions and 14 passes defensed. Chance Waz had a bad game last week and has been up and down for the most part, so Texas could go after him vertically.
EDGE: Baylor
TEXAS RUN OFFENSE VS. BAYLOR RUN DEFENSE
Baylor's run defense has been pretty good this year and ranks second in the conference, giving up 156 yards per game and just 3.6 yards per attempt. Taylor Young and Aiavion Edwards split time at linebacker and Edwards has been playing well the last few games in run support. Travon Blanchard has basically been the second best player on the defense behind Billings and he's solid in run support as well.
EDGE: Texas
TEXAS OFFENSIVE LINE VS. BAYLOR DEFENSIVE LINE
Baylor gets defensive tackle Bo Blackshear back this week. He didn't play against Oklahoma State and TCU. Defensive end Shawn Oakman gets a lot of press clippings and while he's been okay this year, he's not the dominant player some make him out to be. He has decent numbers (40 tackles, 4.5 sacks), but he does take plays off. DT Andrew Billings has had a great year and is probably best player on the entire defense. When he's healthy (sprained ankle earlier in the year), it can change so much of what Baylor wants to do because he can create pressure in the backfield on his own.
EDGE: Baylor
BAYLOR SPECIAL TEAMS VS. TEXAS SPECIAL TEAMS
Drew Galitz, Baylor's freshman punter, has had a really good year. Chris Callahan is reliable on field goals inside 40 yards but his longest kick this year is a 39-yarder. Baylor is pretty good on returns, but the coverage units have been erratic.
EDGE: Texas
INTANGIBLES
Texas stinks on the road. Baylor has won four out of the last five against the Longhorns. Texas really has nothing to play for, unless the team is holding out hope that a fifth win might get it into a bowl game. Overall edge to the Bears.
EDGE: Baylor
