Texas vs. Baylor: Preview and Prediction
Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming Big 12 game in our Texas vs. Baylor preview and prediction.
Game Info
2:30 p.m. Central Time, Saturday October 24th, 2020, DKR Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas.
TV: ESPN
Texas Radio: Longhorn IMG Radio Network
Baylor Radio: Baylor IMG Sports Network
Spread: Texas (-8.5)
Fun Fact: Texas is 4-1 over Baylor the last five years with the lone Baylor win coming last season.
Key Players
Baylor
QB Charlie Brewer
It is no secret that Baylor will want to establish a run game but if they want to take down the Longhorns, Charlie Brewer is going to have to make some plays in the passing game. With a struggling cast around him, Charlie may have to make some plays with his legs to extend plays.
LB Terrel Bernard
Terrel is the leader of this defense and rightfully so. In just two games, Terrel has racked up 21 tackles and 2.5 sacks so far this season. He is everywhere for this defense and will need to do the same on Saturday.
Texas
QB Sam Ehlinger
Sam has carried this offense and at times put the whole thing on his back. As of now, he is the current Big 12 leader in passing yards and touchdowns. And he is seventh in terms of rushing yards in the Big 12 as well with 242 yards and 5 touchdowns this season. I have no idea where this offense would be today without him.
LB Joseph Ossai
He is the best pure pass rusher Texas has and with Baylor struggles up front, I would not be shocked to see Joseph Ossai chasing down Charlie Brewer a couple times in this game. This is a guy who Baylor should keep an eye on before the snap.
Game Plan
Baylor
Up to this point, Baylor has not really been tested on defense as they have played Kansas and West Virginia. Two offensively challenged teams. However, this week they will face off against maybe the best offense the conference has to offer with Sam Ehlinger on the other side. Having said that, Baylor has their fair share of struggles on offense and to win this game I think the key will be in the run game by using John Lovett. If the Bears can rush for over 120 yards in this game, I think Baylor can make this an extremely close game. But there is no question that the Baylor offensive line must step up to make that happen.
Texas
Defensively, Texas is still a mess, but the good news is that Baylor struggles on offense especially on the offensive line where pass protection has been a major issue. The Longhorns have the players up front to put pressure on Charlie Brewer and they have a good chance at holding Baylor to under 24 points. As for the offense, Sam cannot do it on his own. He needs help from those receivers and Texas needs to pick a running back and stick with him at this point. My guess is that we could see Bijan Robinson get more touches which could benefit Texas greatly.
Prediction
Texas 31 Baylor 24
If there is a time for Texas to get its defense even somewhat back on track it’s this weekend against Baylor. Meantime, Sam Ehlinger is still the best player on the field and whether it’s on the ground or through the air, he will get the job done as this team is itching to get back on the field following the Red River Rivalry loss two weeks ago.
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