8 Reasons Why Baylor Will Win Against Texas A&M

With the Big 12 starting to crumble, and Texas A&M planning to move to the SEC, Baylor is doing anything to prevent either from happening. But as Coach Art Briles reminded us about this upcoming matchup on Saturday, “We’re just, we’re going to play a football game."

Both ranked teams will be facing each other in the Battle of the Brazos. It may as well be the end of their rivalry matchup; a matchup that Baylor should—and will—win against the Aggies.

There will be no easy win. Both teams have the top league passers. Both teams have struggling defenses. This will be a game where the score will be high.

There are eight reasons why Baylor will win this rivalry’s final matchup.

Keeping the Big 12 Together

Baylor is determined to keep the Big 12 together. They are even willing to file for lawsuit to block Texas A&M's move to the SEC.

However, those elements are irrelevant in a game of football, but it not to say that it won’t be in the back of the players and Coach Briles’ mind when they play at the Kyle Field this Saturday.

It might motivate them enough to prove that the Big 12 is still strong.

Baylor's Defense

It is not to say that Texas A&M will be the only defense having a difficult day so will Baylor’s. They are 77^th in points allowed.

There is one promise for the Baylor’s defense; picking up those interceptions from Aggies quarterback Ryan Tannehill. He has thrown for a total of five interceptions so far this season—four of those which were at home—while the Baylor defense has intercepted the same amount.

Hopefully, the Baylor’s defense will be able to get off some picks but it will be a difficult challenge for them as they have allowed 12 touchdown passes this season. But this is a defense who has a stronger passing defense than their rushing. So Tannehill's role might be limited.

This is a rivalry game, however, where almost anything goes.

Points Per Game

While it is no doubt that the score will be close, if Texas A&M fails to slow down Robert Griffin, and if Baylor’s defense steps up and controls the Aggies offense, then Baylor will end up being the winner of this rivalry battle.

Baylor has scored an average of 47.6 points per game, and Texas A&M’s average is 39.0.

If the average rate continues, Baylor will end up being the one with the most points up on the scoreboard by the end of the game.

Texas A&M Second Half Collaspe

Texas A&M has become known for their collapse in the second half of the game. They blew a lead of 17 points against Oklahoma State and 18 points against Arkansas; both which resulted in a loss.

Last week against Texas Tech, the Aggies were leading with 15 points, and they ended up struggling in the final moments to keep their win by only five points.

Granted, both Oklahoma State and Arkansas were ranked, but that is no excuse. If Texas A&M cannot hold out well in the second half, the game is most likely going to be a win by Baylor.

Texas A&M's Defense

Texas A&M have been struggling against hurry-up offenses. With Robert Griffin III as Baylor's quarterback, he's not going to be slowing down for them.

While they claim it's because they are having difficulty hearing the defensive calls and changing the lines, this struggle is the reason why the other team can come back from a high deficit. While their rush defense has been pretty solid, their pass defense has struggled, especially in the second half.

Robert Griffin is going to have a field day attacking their secondary.

Texas A&M Offense

Like the defense, the offense did not step up in the second half of their recent games.

If Baylor scores quickly in the first half, the Texas A&M offense will have a hard time catching up if anything should spark in the second half.

While it is not to say that the offense is bad, they have been scoring an average of 39 points a game and 493.4 yards total.

The offense will have to start and finish strong if they want to keep the game even with Griffin and Baylor—who will no doubt be scoring in bunches against the Texas A&M defense. 

Robert Griffin III

Last week, Robert Griffin III didn’t throw as much as he usually does. It was his second game where he threw less than 330 yards. He only threw for one touchdown as well.

But this is a quarterback who has thrown at least five touchdowns every game, and is a Heisman Trophy candidate.

Texas A&M’s defense against the quarterback is weak, and they can’t seem to slow them down. If Griffin can take advantage of this with his top target connection, Kendall Wright, the Aggies will have a field day trying to stop these two.

Griffin has a nation-leading 80.3 completion percentage on his passes, and he can stress the defense by both passing and running the football. Texas A&M is going to have a challenge against him.

However, that is not the only problem Texas A&M have to face on offense.

Terrance Ganaway

Terrance Ganaway played a great game against Iowa State last Saturday. He finished the game with 200 yards and three touchdowns. No wonder Griffin slacked off a bit last week.

In five games, Ganaway already has 536 yards and six touchdowns.

The Aggies rush defense has already allowed six touchdowns this year, but they have limited the rushing yards to 76.8  yards.

Ganaway might be able to find some hole in the defensive line to run for some touchdowns.