Baylor vs. Oklahoma: Game Grades, Analysis for the Bears and Sooners
The No. 12 Baylor Bears fell behind 14-3 early but recovered to obliterate the No. 15 Oklahoma Sooners 48-14 in a Big 12 matchup on Saturday.
Guided by an efficient passing attack and excellent red-zone running game, Baylor scored 45 unanswered points on the Sooners.
| Pass Offense | B+ | A |
| Run Offense | B- | B+ |
| Pass Defense | B | B+ |
| Run Defense | C+ | B |
| Special Teams | B+ | A- |
| Coaching | A- | A |
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Pass Offense: Bryce Petty was underwhelming during the first quarter, but the senior was a different player after the opening 15 minutes. He received superb protection from his offensive line and completed 18 consecutive passes en route to a 32-of-42, 387-yard, one-touchdown finish.
Run Offense: Though Baylor entered the contest with the Big 12's most proficient rushing offense, it only managed 31 yards on 23 carries during the opening half. However, Shock Linwood and Devin Chafin ultimately combined for 123 yards and four scores.
Pass Defense: The Bears lost Michiah Quick twice, but Trevor Knight underthrew his speedy receiver on one occasion. Other than that, Baylor's defensive backfield kept everything else in front, and Bryce Hager intercepted his first career pass, which proved to be a game-changer.
Run Defense: Alex Ross broke one 50-yard run, and Knight tallied 57 yards before halftime, but the Bears front seven shut down the Sooners when it mattered. Baylor allowed a single third-down conversion to Oklahoma's rushing attack, stopping it on 3rd-and-1 twice.
Special Teams: After Baylor nearly allowed a kickoff return touchdown to Ross, it started chipping the ball to up-men, and the Bears coverage unit wasn't tested again. Chris Callahan converted on all eight kicks, including a pair of field goals. Spencer Roth averaged 42.3 yards per punt.
Coaching: Defensive coordinator Phil Bennett is continuing to turn Baylor from an offensive powerhouse to a respectable two-way program. Knight was rarely afforded a clean pocket, which forced off-target throws and long third downs. The outstanding defense translated into excellent field position and a ton of offensive success.
| Pass Offense | B | C |
| Run Offense | B+ | B- |
| Pass Defense | B- | D |
| Run Defense | C+ | C |
| Special Teams | B+ | B |
| Coaching | C | D+ |
Pass Offense: Knight never completed more than two consecutive passes, finishing 12-of-27 for 146 yards, two touchdowns and one terrible interception. Quick (six catches, 94 yards, one TD) is a budding young wideout, but he can't replace the contributions of leading receiver Sterling Shepard, who was unavailable due to a lower-body injury.
Run Offense: One week after completely dominating Iowa State on the ground, the Sooners were very limited Saturday afternoon. Excluding Ross' 50-yard scamper that didn't even lead to points, Oklahoma recorded just 122 yards on 32 carries.
Pass Defense: It was a rough day for the secondary, and the lack of press coverage didn't help. Corey Coleman shredded the Sooners for 15 receptions, 224 yards and one touchdown. Antwan Goodley added nine catches for 92 yards, breaking numerous arm tackles on screen passes.
Run Defense: Oklahoma didn't allow explosive runs, but the four yards per carry surrendered was a tantalizing way to watch Baylor sustain drives. The Sooners ceded five touchdowns via the rushing game.
Special Teams: While Jed Barnett tallied 40.2 yards per punt, Michael Hunnicutt was rattled. One week after setting Big 12 history, he never gave a 31-yard field goal a chance, leaving it wide right. Oklahoma tipped an extra point, but it went through anyway.
Coaching: Baylor's previous opponents successfully limited the passing attack by blitzing, but Oklahoma shied away from that strategy after the first quarter. Petty lit up the Sooners cornerbacks at the line of scrimmage, but the coaches hardly adjusted their defensive philosophy. OU paid dearly because of it.
Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.
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