BAYLOR PASS OFFENSE vs TEXAS PASS DEFENSE
Charlie Brewer is one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12 and will be yet another tough test for the Texas secondary. Brewer ranks second in the Big 12 in passing efficiency and is averaging a little more than 250 yards per game. He’s a heady QB who is cool under fire and makes clutch plays, the OU game notwithstanding last week when he threw a game-ending interception. Brewer is very good on the intermediate and short throws. His deep ball is a bit inconsistent. Denzel Mims has had a good season and is one of the best in the league, but he has also had some big drops that have hurt Baylor. Sophmore Tyquan Thornton has been a good number two receiver for them with more than 600 yards receiving. Those are their two big targets although they have started to work Josh Fleeks into the mix the last couple weeks. The tight ends really aren’t a factor.
Edge – Baylor **
BAYLOR RUN OFFENSE vs TEXAS RUN DEFENSE
It’s a pretty mediocre Baylor ground game that has been very erratic this year. It has been good in a couple games, but the Bears haven’t been able to consistently get the ground game working … a lot of Texas. JaMycal Hasty and John Lovett haven’t had the types of seasons people expected. The hope was that Lovett would take over the position early in the year but that hasn’t happened. Hasty can be hit or miss and had a big fumble last week. The backs are kind of interchangeable in their styles … both do everything okay, but they’re not really great in any one area. Brewer is a factor in the run game as well.
Edge – Texas *
BAYLOR OFFENSIVE LINE vs TEXAS DEFENSIVE LINE
This is probably the worst unit of the Baylor team so that will be something to watch to see if Texas can take advantage. The Bears are actually tied with Texas for the most sacks against in the conference with 27. Baylor did get left tackle Connor Galvin back last week so that should help. But the line gives up a lot of sacks and isn’t great at run blocking either. Juco transfer Blake Bedier at right tackle has had issues at times and is still learning the position.
Edge – Texas *
TEXAS PASS OFFENSE vs BAYLOR PASS DEFENSE
The Bears have been solid overall in this area. Baylor ranks fourth in the Big 12 in passing yards given up per game but it actually ranks first in pass efficiency defensive by a sizeable margin over second-ranked TCU. The secondary got senior safety Chris Miller, who has been hit with three targeting penalties, back last week. Senior Jameson Houston has been solid at corner. Baylor will interchange a lot of secondary guys and the Bears have good speed on the back end.
Edge – Baylor *
TEXAS RUN OFFENSE vs BAYLOR RUN DEFENSE
Baylor features one of the better run defenses in the Big 12. The Bears give up 137 yards on the ground per game (third in the conference) and surrender just 3.5 yards per rushing attempt. The linebackers are really good. Middle linebacker Terrel Bernard took over in the middle of the year for Clay Johnston, who got hurt, and he’s been really good. He’s very athletic. Senior Blake Lynch on the strong side has been solid. Jordan Williams on the weakside has been a pleasant surprise. Overall, the linebackers may be best unit on the team and they’re very good in run support.
Edge – Baylor **
TEXAS OFFENSIVE LINE vs BAYLOR DEFENSIVE LINE
James Lynch, a junior defensive end from Round Rock, is having an all-Big 12 season. He leads the Big 12 with 8.5 sacks and is a half sack away from setting the school single season sack record. Baylor predominantly runs a three-man front with four linebackers behind them. Senior nose tackle Bravvion Roy is really good as well and has 3.5 sacks on the year. A&M transfer James Lockhart has been steady on the other side and has 3.5 sacks of his own. I guess it is possible to get to the quarterback out of a three-man defensive front.
Edge – Baylor **
SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter Isaac Power has been up and down and Baylor is very inconsistent there. The kicking game with John Mayers has been getting better and he hit a 51-yarder to send the TCU game into overtime earlier this year. Noah Rauschenberrg is solid as a kick-off specialist. Coverage games have been solid, the return games nothing special.
Edge – Texas **
