Texas-Baylor preview: Can the Longhorns stop the Bears?
The Texas-Baylor season series has been a little one-sided lately. Baylor has won 3 of the last 4 games after Texas had rattled off 12 straight wins. Texas has owned the series, compiling a record of 74-25-4. When you look at the overall series, maybe John Harris’ quote is dead on.
Baylor comes in to Austin favored by more than two touchdowns. The Bears offense is potent, while the Texas offense is struggling. Something will have to give on Saturday.
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When Texas has the ball
In a perfect world, the Longhorns would dominate the line of scrimmage and run through the Baylor defense. Unfortunately, this is far from reality. Texas is struggling to move the ball on the ground, ranking 102nd in the country in rushing. The Longhorns average 123 yards a game and have just four rushing touchdowns. Malcolm Brown and Johnathan Gray have not made much of an impact this season. A patchwork offensive line hasn’t helped the rushing woes. If ever there was a game for the line to make its presence felt, this would be it.
The Bears are ranked 6th in the nation in rushing defense. This stat is a little misleading, however, since Baylor’s opponents were SMU, Northwestern State, Buffalo and Iowa State. Texas has two quality running backs in Brown and Gray. You can be sure that the Bears have not had to defend against two legitimate running threats – three if you count Tyrone Swoopes. It is safe to say that this will be Baylor’s first true test on defense.
When Baylor has the ball
Believe it or not, the Bears would prefer to ground out a win. Baylor runs the ball more often than it passes. Shock Linwood and Johnny Jefferson have rushed for more than 560 yards combined. Each averages 4.9 yards per carry. This run threat opens up the pass game for Bryce Petty. Petty is completing 65 percent of his passes, and has a touchdown to interception ratio of 7:1. Freshman KD Cannon has been impressive, leading the Bears in receptions (23), yards (519), average yards per catch (22.6) and touchdowns (5). Antwan Goodley returned from injury last week and hauled in six passes. Again, all these numbers have been put up against inferior foes.
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South Bound & Down
The strength of this Texas team is its defense. The Longhorns sit at a respectable 24th in total defense. Aside from a third quarter meltdown against BYU, this unit has performed better than most people thought. The front seven have been disruptive. Cedric Reed, Malcolm Brown, Desmond Jackson (before the injury), Jordan Hicks and Steve Edmond have been in the opponent’s backfield more often than not. Quandre Diggs is having a great senior season. The defense will have to put together four outstanding quarters if the team expects to win on Saturday. Baylor may have had a soft schedule, but it still has a formidable offense.
The wildcard
Special teams could end up being the difference. Texas needs its special teams unit to perform flawlessly. It’s about time Nick Rose shakes his early season struggles and become the reliable kicker the Longhorns covet. William Russ must not give Baylor a short field to work with. Russ has a strong leg, but has not been consistent in his punting. A special teams gaffe can swing the momentum in either team’s direction. Texas fans hope it is in their favor.
The bottom line is whichever team executes its game plan will win the contest. Hopefully Charlie Strong doesn’t have to tell his team during warm ups it doesn’t look ready to play. Otherwise it will be a long day for Texas.