Gameday Thread: Baylor (3-1) takes a conference road trip to Oklahoma (4-0)

BAYLOR (3-1) vs. OKLAHOMA (4-0)

Memorial Stadium | 2:30 p.m CT | ABC

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Storylines of the Week

Is the Baylor defense for real?

The Bears came out in the first half against Kansas and held the Jayhawks to 48 total yards of offense. It was the most dominant defensive half in Matt Rhule’s tenure at Baylor. The second half did not go as well but in total Baylor only gave up 271 total yards and seven points. The Bears are now giving up 347.8 yards per game and 23.5 points per game which are ranked 49th and 58th respectively in the nation. The Bears rank 84th in 3rd down defense at 39.7%

Baylor will get tested big time as they travel to take on a team that averages 44.3 points over 500 yards per game. With Kyler Murray, a very talented offensive line, skilled receivers, and a bruising running back the Oklahoma offense is an absolute machine.

A Key Stat to Watch

Baylor gives up a first down on opponents third downs 39.7% of the time which is ranked 84th in the nation. Oklahoma converts on 55.6% of its third down tries which is 8th in the country. This could be a huge factor in the game.

Baylor’s most talented position has to step up

All fall camp we heard that the receivers were the most talented group on the roster and they thought they were too. So far they have played well but this is the perfect matchup for them to take another step. They have steadied the number 18 ranked passing attack in the country. Jalen Hurd, Denzel Mims, and Chris Platt have to win their individual matchups this week and the young receivers off the bench need to contribute as well. This group has the ability to rack up over 250 yards this week and if Baylor wants to win they will have to. 

Oklahoma is a top 10 team but the pass defense has not lived up to that ranking. The Sooners are ranked 64th in the country, giving up 211 passing yards per game despite facing Army last week (they had 40 yards passing on just eight pass attempts). If you do not include the Army game then Oklahoma is giving up 269 yards passing per game which would rank 103rd in the nation. Something has to give one way or another.

Quote of the Week

“I am proud of our team. On Saturday the guys came out and put together a good first half. I am really proud of our defense and how they flew around and did a bunch of good things, like created some negatives had a fourth quarter shut out and bounced back from tremendous adversity when the young man had the long run. We had some big-time efforts in the game. Chris Miller was special in the game, he flew from sideline to sideline making a bunch of great plays and I thought Grayland Arnold’s play on fourth down was a game defining play and it allowed us to have a chance to win. I am pleased with the fact we were able to get to the quarterback, we finished with four sacks and we did a tremendous job with different looks and Phil called a great game. Pleased with our defense and how Charlie handled the game on third down. We have to cut down on the penalties, it’s going to be hard to win going forward with three facemask penalties. I’m excited about the opportunity we have this week and go to Norman and play the defending Big 12 champions.” — Coach Matt Rhule

Statistic of the Week

Baylor sophomore quarterback Charlie Brewer has now started eight games in his career and has an overall record of 4-4 while building on his outstanding freshman season where he threw for 1,562 yards on 68.1-percent passing with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions in eight games played. He also added 166 yards rushing on 65 attempts.

As a sophomore in 2018, Brewer has completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 862 yards with six touchdowns and one interception. He has added 126 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 29 attempts. 

In his eight starts, Brewer has completed 67.7 percent of his passes for 2,093 yards with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing for 233 yards and two scores on 65 carries. 

By comparison, in the first eight starts of his career, Robert Griffin III passed for 1,563 and 11 touchdowns on 61.8-percent passing while rushing for 602 yards and nine scores on 121 carries.

Players to Watch

Jim Black Charlie Brewer It's no secret that Baylor is going to have to score above their average points to leave Oklahoma with a victory Saturday evening. That means Charlie Brewer will need to be on top of his game and keep the chains moving and the Sooners and their offense off the field.

Jim Black Offensive Line Scoring points starts with protecting the quarterback and creating just enough push to run the football. The Bears will be down Xavier Newman at left guard, but junior college offensive lineman Johncarlo Valentin will get his first career start at left guard.

Jim Black Defensive Line Oklahoma leans on their running game more than many expect which means Baylor's front line will need to be up to the challenge on every single snap. A disruptive game by James Lynch would do wonders in knocking Kyler Murray out of rhythm, but keeping him contained might be a bigger key.