The Texas Longhorns (6-4, 4-3) will make the trip up I-35 in their final road game of the season to face the Baylor Bears (9-1, 6-1) on Saturday. Texas has won four straight against Baylor, but the Bears stand atop the Big 12 standings along with Oklahoma, who they narrowly lost to last weekend. Baylor needs a win to continue on their path towards an appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game. Texas desperately needs a win in Waco to get things back on track as the season winds down.
Does Texas have what it takes to knock off #13 Baylor on the road? Our staff gives their predictions on how the game at McLane Stadium will unfold.
Aaron Carrara
Texas suffered a tough defeat last week in Ames and players and coaches alike exhibited their frustration this week during media availability. Despite losses, we’ve heard Tom Herman maintain that his team has the internal motivation to play to the level of their ability on Saturdays. Although they have been close, they still have trouble turning the corner and closing games they should win. Can Texas beat Baylor? Absolutely – they have the talent to do so. Will they beat Baylor? It’s hard to trust the Longhorns to do so given the incessant shortcomings experienced on the field. I think Texas does get up for this game but falls short again and the Bears snap their four-game skid to the ‘Horns.
Prediction: Baylor 41 Texas 35
Nick Harris
Texas enters this pivotal road game in an unfortunately familiar circumstance if you’ve been a fan over this past decade. At this point, it’s all hands on deck…. for a Texas Bowl? I’m not sure where the level of commitment and confidence with this team is at right now, just like everyone else in the country, and with that, the edge has to go to one of the hottest teams in the country. Despite a tough loss to OU last week, Baylor can still win out and still have a shot at the playoff. Coach Rhule has them more determined than ever to take home a Big 12 title this year, and if you ask me, I think they do it… beginning with a dominant win over our Longhorns Saturday afternoon.
Prediction: Baylor 31, Texas 17
Jameson McCausland
It is tough to know what Texas’ mindset will be heading into Waco. The Longhorns are all but eliminated from playing for the Big 12 Championship, and the hot seat is beginning to get extremely warm for many of the assistant coaches. For Baylor, they are coming off a heartbreaking loss to Oklahoma but still can clinch a berth in the Big 12 title game with a win.
Ultimately, it’s hard to see Texas winning this game with how they have been performing offensively. The Bears are solid against the run and if Texas starts off similarly to how they started in Ames, they will behind themselves in a hole again. Sam Ehlinger will likely make enough plays to keep Texas close, but in the end, the better-coached team will squeak out a victory.
Prediction: Baylor 28, Texas 24
TFloss32
In what will be a contest between two programs coming off of devastating losses, Texas is the team that will have to reach deep down and figure out what they’re playing for. With their goals for the 2019 season all but evaporating in the cold Ames air, the focus should now be directed towards having some positivity to hang your hat on as you enter the offseason. The template for victory in yet another winnable game on the road is simple; be mentally prepared for the moment, don’t get in a hole early, clean up the penalties and stick with what’s working (especially in critical moments). For whatever reason, Texas has rarely been able to put it all together away from DKR and I don’t expect that to change this weekend. I believe Texas is capable of covering, but ultimately they leave Waco on the losing end of a frustrating effort with the same questions about what went wrong.
Prediction: Baylor 31, Texas 24.
