Texas Longhorns vs. Baylor Bears: Game Preview

After suffering a stinging 28-21 loss to the Iowa Cyclones, the Texas Longhorns will host the Baylor Bears at home this Saturday.  Baylor is coming off of a 47-42 victory over the Kansas State Wildcats and is coming into this game with a 6-2 record and is playing very well right now.  They are yet another team coming in that poses a real threat to the Texas Longhorns.

Texas still hasn’t found its way on offense or defense for that matter (especially evident after their game against the Cyclones last week) and this may end up being considered a little bit of a rebuilding year for the Longhorns.  There is a lot of young talent on this team and they need some experience in order to get better.

So how will the Longhorns perform against the Bears this weekend?  Will they have a chance to win the game? Let’s take a look at their chances in this in-depth preview of this Saturday’s game.

When the Longhorns Have the Ball

There hasn’t been much to the Longhorn’s passing game so far this season.  So far, quarterback Garrett Gilbert has thrown 253 passes completing 152 of them for 1,557 yards with eight interceptions.  Not the kind of production you would expect out of a Longhorns-style passing game.

Gilbert has been effective running the football (he’s got two touchdowns on the ground so far this season), but his job is to throw the football. It’s his first season as a starter so we shouldn’t have expected a lot out of him but many fans expected much more than they have seen so far this season.

His leading receiver (in yards) is James Kirkendoll with 332 yards and one touchdown.  The Longhorns leading receiver in touchdowns is Mike Davis.  This team has a total of six touchdowns passing which really doesn’t cut it in college football (after playing the number of games that they have played so far).

Can the Longhorns find success throwing the ball?  The Bears are allowing opponents to pass for an average of 234 yards per game throwing the ball and the Longhorns are averaging 222 yards of passing through seven games.  Things will even out between these two teams.  And it’s important that the passing game get in the end zone which is something that the Longhorns have struggled with all season.

Texas’ rushing attack has been solid for the most part this season but just hasn’t been able to do enough to get them the wins that they so desperately need.  Their leading rusher so far this season, in yards, is Fozzy Whitaker with 59 rushing attempts for 264 yards while both Cody Johnson and Tre’ Newton have three touchdowns (rushing) a piece. 

Gilbert has even gotten into the running game as well attempting 45 rushes for 97 yards and two touchdowns.

Baylor is allowing opponents around 150 yards rushing and this is where the Longhorns can have an advantage.  Remember that running the ball will help control the ball and the clock and keep it out of Baylor’s hands.  The Longhorns have to possess the ball as much as possible in order to win this game.

When Baylor has the Ball

The Bears have been a surprise team this season.  After suffering losing seasons in the recent past, Baylor has stepped up their play and become one of the better teams in the Big 12.  They will present a unique challenge for the Longhorns.

The Bears are led by quarterback Robert Griffin and he’s been pretty productive this season.  He’s thrown a total of 270 passes completing 180 with four interceptions.  His yardage total for the season 2,373 and he’s thrown 18 touchdowns so far.  He leads quite a powerful and consistent passing attack that is averaging 296 yards per game.

The leading receivers on the Bears are (in yards) Kendall Wright with 46 catches for 648 yards and five touchdowns while wide receiver Josh Gordon leads the team in touchdowns with seven. 

Texas has held opponents to 137 yards per game passing which is great very good and makes them one of the best pass defenses in college football.  It leaves us scratching their heads as to how they could have lost three games this season.  More on that later.

The Baylor rushing attack is also pretty strong as they are averaging 196 yards per game.  Their leading rusher is Jay Finley with 105 attempts for 717 yards with five touchdowns (Griffin leads the team with six rushing touchdowns) and the defense will focus on stopping both Finley and Griffin and the Baylor rushing attack.  

The Longhorns are allowing an average of 120 yards per game on the ground to opponents.  It would appear as if the Longhorns will be able to keep the Baylor rushing attack at bay and hopefully this is something they can do.  Texas needs to control the ball and the clock in this game and they can do that by keeping the Bears rushing game stagnant.

Analysis

You would think, looking at the numbers, that the Longhorns should be much better off (on defense) and their record shouldn’t be 4-3.  So how are the Longhorns losing games?  Turnovers and bad mistakes at critical times have really served to hurt this team.  Penalties on defense at inopportune times have also hurt the Longhorns chances of winning games.

Texas has the defense to win this game but do they have the offense?  That unit is still young and is being led by a young quarterback that is still learning.  There are a lot of guys still learning on this team.  Hopefully next season they will be able to come back after having put things together and play much better.

But that’s next season.  What about this season and this game?  Do the Longhorns have a chance of stopping Baylor this Saturday night?

If the Longhorns can keep the mistakes that they have made on both sides of the ball at a minimum then they have a chance at winning this game.  They also have to hold onto the ball longer on offense and get into some drives that keep the ball in their possession and not allow the Bears to possess the ball for long periods of time (and score).

If the Longhorns can do that than their chances of winning this game increase.

Prediction

Texas will have to be on top of their game and playing mistake-free football in order to win this game.  Their offense also needs to get things going, especially in the running game and being able to move the ball effectively.

Texas 28, Baylor 24