The much maligned Baylor Bears are trotting up I-35 for the newest installment of the Revivalry, the only college rivalry game where a coach has collapsed and died mid-game. 5 of the last 7 matchups between
these teams has been decided by a single possession so we’re likely in for a cinematic masterpiece this weekend. Recent history is on the Frogs side, having only lost to Baylor in consecutive years once since 2006. They got last year’s loss out of the way and now Hoover and company should be ready to roll back on home turf.
Offense
Baylor’s offense has drawn many comparisons to the Horned Frog offense as the season has gone along, with Sawyer Robertson and Josh Hoover being informally labelled as the conference’s top two gunslingers. Since Hoover deposited his 6th interception into the stat column last week, his praise has quieted from the peanut gallery. Robertson is a much less polished passer, with less fluid mechanics, that makes up for it with his improvisation. Robertson is large and sturdy, allowing him to maneuver pressure when bearing down, but also surrounded by a dynamic supporting cast.
The passing game can’t be addressed without identifying Michael Trigg, Baylor’s versatile tight end that operates well in the slot. Trigg adds an element to the intermediate passing game that most tight ends are too slow for and most slot receivers are too small for. Jamel Johnson has already graded out poorly in pass coverage this year and if I’m calling plays for Baylor, I’d be sending Trigg on option routes to his side of the field. I’d expect him to put up video game numbers against TCU’s leaky safety group.
The outside has not been tested much in recent games so we haven’t heard much from the TCU cornerback room. Is that because Channing Canada and Vernon Glover have been playing better or because TCU’s opponents haven’t had the skill at X and Z to test those corners? We will certainly find out this week with as much as Baylor likes to get Josh Cameron involved. It appears I’ve run out of room to talk about the run game, but I will say that Bryson Washington is their whole running identity and the Frogs will need to slow him at least to avoid last years clock-melting death march.
Defense
Nice, Baylor’s defense is giving up almost 30 points per game so that means the Frogs should score at will. Just like they did against the worst rush defense in the league last week, right guys? Oh yeah, Kevorian Barnes was limited to 0 rush yards after the 10 minute mark in the 3rd quarter. Kansas State’s defense must have gone above and beyond to block communications from Kendal Briles to the huddle to ensure he didn’t get any carries, they should’ve been employing that method all season!
Mayhaps I’m relying on my comedy routine because there is nothing noteworthy about this Baylor defense, to the point that I’m shocked that Dave Aranda assembled it. To his credit, he found a diamond in the rough when Jacob Redding walked on to the team. Redding has 2 interceptions this year, including the pick-6 that turned the tide against K State 2 weeks ago. Redding has 23 tackles to go along with those interceptions, as the Bears have 3 safeties in their top 4 leading tacklers.
With so many tackles being made at the second and third level, that tells me that Baylor is not very strong in the trenches and their 3-man front is commanding elite linebacker play or forcing them to stack the box. This internal stress is a good offensive coordinator’s dream, as you run to open up the pass and manipulate the formations to your benefit. To revisit the Barnes point, Kendal Briles is going to have to swallow his pride as a passing game coordinator to balance out the offense in order for the rising tide to lift all ships. I’d like to imagine that going against the school that made him the coach he is will be incentive enough to clear his vision.
Overall
TCU certainly has the talent to steamroll this in-state rival but they will not. Both teams will be inspired to prove themselves as the Big 12 school of I-35 and Robertson will have a field day against this defense. Surprisingly enough, the question becomes whether or not TCU will get off the mat offensively to threaten the Bears. 2 of the last 3 weeks they’ve started slow and in all 3 they’ve gone 3+ drives consecutively without scoring. The Frogs can ill-afford to let these offensive woes bleed any further, and this week will be a test on both sides of the ball about where this team’s identity is beyond the midway point.