18 Days till Kickoff: 18.3 Points Per Game Allowed in 2021

18.3 points allowed per game across fourteen games. 10th in the nation. Not bad stats for a defense in the good old “shootouts, crazy offenses, and no defenses” conference. 

The 2021 Big 12 champions rode that suffocating defense, paired with a nice new wide zone offense, to a 9-2 conference record and a Sugar Bowl victory over No. 8 Ole Miss. 

Baylor allowed 348 yards of total offense per game, 120.5 rushing and 227.5 passing, plus just 19.3 first downs per game. That was all while forcing close to two turnovers per game.

It was not all domination though. Many times, the defense was called upon to make last-minute stops, start possessions in their own territory, or simply keep the offense within striking distance before it found its groove. Think of the Iowa State or Big 12 Championship games as examples for the goal line stands. Think of the Oklahoma game among others for starting possessions in Baylor territory. And the Texas game comes to mind for covering for a slow offensive start.

That 2021 team was truly defense-led and they stepped up to the challenge time and time again. Just 18.3 points per game. Less than three touchdowns. Only 22 teams in the country can claim their defense was that good last year. 

Not to rob the offense of any and all praise, the offensive line gave up only 18 sacks all year last year. Compare that to the 31 sacks given up in the nine-game 2020 season, and 18 across 14 games looks insane.