Texas Football: 3 major concerns for Big 12 opener vs. Baylor

Baylor’s explosiveness on offense

Baylor’s offense had a ton of difficulties after starting redshirt junior quarterback Blake Shapen went down with a lower-body injury in Week 1 against Texas State. After Shapen looked good in Baylor’s opener against Texas State, the offense completely slowed when redshirt sophomore Sawyer Robertson was forced to take over the starting duties.

Against FBS opponents with Robertson as the starting quarterback, Baylor averages around 5.5 yards per play. Baylor hasn’t successfully passed the ball consistently, with Robertson behind center. The Bears are completing just 44 percent of their passing attempts, with Robertson leading the offense, resulting in just 5.2 adjusted yards per passing attempt, one passing touchdown, and three interceptions (each good for worst in the Big 12 this season).

Baylor’s difficulty passing the ball with Robertson translates to challenges in the ground game. Baylor averages just north of three yards per carry against FBS competition this season. That number gets even worse with Robertson at quarterback.

The one saving grace for the Baylor offense this season is the offense’s explosiveness. Baylor’s offense ranks eighth in the FBS in long scrimmage plays of at least 30 yards (per CFB Stats). Baylor has a dozen plays of at least 30 yards from scrimmage on offense this season, which also leads the Big 12.

Baylor gets the ball to some of their big targets on the outside (Ketron Jackson and Hal Presley) and their elusive slot targets in space (Jonah Burton and Monaray Baldwin). Jackson and Presley have combined for a half-dozen explosive catches (going for at least 20 yards). Baldwin also has a couple of explosive plays this season (two catches for at least 20 yards).

One bright spot for Robertson on offense is the ability to hit the occasional deep ball. He ranks in the middle of the pack in the Big 12 among starting quarterbacks in deep ball passing grade and deep ball passing yards (211). If Texas isn’t careful, Jackson and/or Presley can get over the top on senior field safety Jerrin Thompson and the corner(s).