Staff Predictions – Baylor

Mike Roach

Here we are for yet another make or break game in a season (and tenure) full of make or break games. Despite the tiny point spread Vegas assigned to this game I just can’t see it from my perspective. The Longhorns have been good at home this season, but that has largely been to an underwhelming slate of opponents in Austin. Baylor is coming off of a bye week, and they are headed to Austin looking to get back on top of Texas after the Longhorns defeated them at home last season. The bottom line is that even though I’ve had this game circled as a win for Texas all year I just can’t trust them anymore. I think Baylor scores early and keeps a comfortable two score lead all the way through the game. D’Onta Foreman will get his, and Shane Buechele will continue his strong freshman season, but the issues on defense will be too much to overcome.

Score Prediction: Baylor 44 Texas 30

Harrison Wier

Texas looks to keep their undefeated record at home, whereas the Baylor Bears seek to keep their undefeated record overall alive. For the Longhorns, this will be the biggest test they have faced thus far. In order for Texas to stay in this game, they must do something that they have not done all year: play well in all 3 phases of the game.

On offense, Texas must add some wrinkles. The Bears are familiar with this offense, and practice against a much more developed version on a daily basis. Bubble screens and deep routes will not help Texas win this game. The middle of the field is frequently open. Use it. When a receiver scores an 80-yard touchdown, keep them in the game. John Burt has to see the field. I don’t care how bad he has been at catching the ball. He is still one of the biggest overall threats on the offense. D’onta Foreman will do his thing. I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about everything else on offense. Baylor has a very physical defense that has a knack for turnovers. If Texas remains predictable, Baylor will take advantage.

On defense, Texas has to start by stopping the run early. Shock Linwood and Terrence Williams are a two-headed monster that have the ability to take the Horns out of the game quickly. That cannot happen. This LB corps has not performed well all year. I don’t expect that to change, unfortunately. A successful run game is only going to open up the passing game for Seth Russell. It’s been reported that the Texas defense was demolished by Shane Buechele and the Longhorns offense all week of practice. That’s not a good sign. The veer and shoot offense takes a couple of years to fully install. Texas is maybe at 30%. Baylor is at 100%. This defense is in for a long day, unless the players decide to step up to the task.

Charlie Strong is coaching for his job. The coaches know it. The players know it. The fans know it. Will that have an impact on how Texas plays this game? Possibly. Will it effect the outcome? I don’t believe so. Baylor is a good football team, but not great. They have an extremely back-loaded conference schedule that will ultimately demonstrate just how good they are. Unfortunately for Texas, Baylor is far better than the Longhorns are. I predict this to be a long day, but Texas will show some fight for their coach. However, it won’t be enough. Texas loses its first game at home, and Chalie Strong ultimately seals his fate.

Score Prediction: Baylor 45 Texas 28

Taylor Smith

It’s sad to say, but Texas will be two below 500 after the weekend. The Longhorns’ struggles with Iowa State and Kansas State don’t prove good signs with an undefeated Baylor team coming to Austin this weekend. As hungry as Texas should be, I don’t think they have what it takes to beat Baylor. The offense doesn’t connect until the second half, and by that time, the defense has given up too many points for a comeback. I think we might see a more explosive offense from the start with the game being at home and a 2:30 start, but I don’t think the offense can score enough points to keep up with the Bears’ offense.

Score Prediction: Baylor 48 Texas 30

Daniel Seahorn

Coming into the season I was liking the chances of picking the Horns to win his matchup, but things haven’t played out the way I or many thought it would. While the Texas offense has certainly been better, the Baylor defense has exceeded expectations to date and should provide a good test for a young offense with a young budding quarterback.

As for the defense… well it may not be too pretty, as the Bears offense has shown they are capable of pounding the rock and have some playmakers on the outside at wide receivers. Charlie Strong has done a reasonable job of scheming up the Baylor offense in years past, but the defense this year has been all over the map and I have no confidence right now that a game plan will be executed according to plan. As I’ve said before, this unit will have to prove me wrong on Saturday before I can start to buy in.

If you’re Texas, you just hope to try to limit the opportunities of the Baylor offense and give them a heavy dose of D’Onta Foreman, who is no doubt the best back the Bears defense will have seen so far to date.

I like Baylor in this matchup despite the point spread being tight. I think the Bears win this one by double digits.

Score Prediction: Baylor 45 Texas 31

Chris Flanagan

So nearly every prediction I have made, I have been wrong with this football team. So I’m going to pick Baylor to win this game. They have a great defense and offense. This is their one shot as they lose everyone next year so they want to stay on target and win it all. I think they will give it their best shot.

Score Prediction: Baylor 45 Texas 31

Prediction Records

Harrison Wier: 4-2

Taylor Smith: 4-3

Mike Roach: 3-4

Aaron Carrara: 3-4

Daniel Seahorn: 3-4

Ryan Bridges: 3-4

Chris Flanagan: 2-5