Gameday Thread: Baylor (5-5) faces TCU (4-6) on senior day

BAYLOR (5-5) vs. TEXAS CHRISTIAN (4-6)

McLane Stadium| 11:00 a.m CT | FS1

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Storylines of the Week

The Rivalry

This game has been one that hasn’t disappointed most years. Both of these schools have started marking this game down on the calendar and there is a lot of intensity leading up to it. Ever since the crazy game in 2011 things have become even mosre testy between the two programs. Patterson and Briles got after each other everytime they played it seemed like and both had success against the other. Now Coach Rhule is the coach of the Bears and he has been nothing but complimentary of Patterson. He keeps calling him good for the sport and an elite coach which is probably true and shows a lot of class. Patterson on the other hand continues to have a bad mind set about the matchup, taking low jabs whenever possible. His comments about Coach McGuire in his press conference show that he still has some bad blood toward the program. I am excited to see this rivalry continue and possibly grow under this new coaching staff.

Offense vs. Defense

This is not the vintage TCU defense that is in the top 25 in every category but they are still very solid. Ranking in the top 50 in pass defense, run defense, sacks, and 3rd-down defense are all very abover average numbers. They still have some playmakers that will give Baylor problems so it will be interesting to see if they come out ready to go. On the other side, Baylor has had no problem moving the football in most games now they just have to finish drives. If Baylor can score some points early they may be able to run away with this game. This should be a lot of fun to watch.

Quote of the Week

 “I haven’t been around long enough to have any, my interactions with Coach Patterson, he’s always been nothing but kind to me. He’s a person I look up to as a coach who’s done it for a long time, and done it the right way. I think we should all support each other, because when we support each other we support the game in our state. I’m only worried about us. I’m only worried about the seniors going out on Senior Day the right way. That’s always been a really big deal to me, that they walk off the field as winners. I want to make sure these guys who have really stood for Baylor, and they’ve also stood for me personally, I want them to walk off the field as winners. And the benefit of that is we would get a chance to play another game. I would love nothing more than to play another game with Ira [Lewis], Greg [Roberts], Pat [Lawrence], Blake [Blackmar], Josh [Malin] and Chris Platt and all those guys. I’d love nothing more than to play another game with those guys.” — Matt Rhule

Statistic of the Week

Baylor’s currently holds a 4-1 record through five games at McLane Stadium in the 2018 season. With a game against TCU on Saturday, the Bears have an opportunity to move to 5-1 at home, a record that would be the best home record for the Bears since 2014. 

From 2015 to 2017 Baylor went a combined 8-10 inside McLane Stadium, including a 4-8 mark in Big 12 play. Baylor is perfect at home in three Big 12 games this fall.

Over the course of four seasons from 2011 to 2014, Baylor posted a 24-1 mark at home including  three perfect seasons in 2011 (7-0), 2013 (6-0) and 2014 (6-0). The only loss during that stretch came at home against TCU in 2012. 

In the first years leading up to that stretch, Baylor’s combined home record was 15-17.

Players to Watch

Jim Black Connor Galvin The strentgh of TCU’s defense comes on the edge with their pass rushers. As a true freshman, Galvin will have one of his biggest tests of the season as the Bears will need to establish their run game and protect Charlie Brewer.

Jim Black Charlie Brewer Brewer possibly had the best performance of the season before his ejection against a good Iowa State defense, but he will need to be on top of his game against a sound Gary Patterson defense.

© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports Ira Lewis Lewis has been quiet for most of his senior season, but his ability require offenses to pay a lot attention to him on the defensive line. There isn’t a better way to go out of senior day, however, than having a productive game against TCU.