In the Web: What "They" are saying about Baylor in Week 10
After reeling off back-to-back wins against Kansas and Texas Tech, Baylor looks to keep its streak alive this week in Norman against Oklahoma. The Bears have been historically dreadful against the Sooners, where they find themselves behind in the overall series 26-4 dating back to 1901.
Baylor has only won in Norman once in program history (2014), which favored the Sooners when the opening lines were released earlier this week by Vegas.
The Bears were able to silence some critics, as well as the Texas Tech crowd, last week as they ran all through the Red Raiders in the land of dust and cactus. Freshman sensation Richard Reese had another outstanding performance, as he rushed for 148 yards and 3TD.
Reese has rushed for 791 yards on 152 carries and has added 12 rushing touchdowns through eight games this season, which has him tied for seventh on Baylor’s single-season leaderboard. His continued success this season is beginning to gain national attention, which helped him gain some much deserved recognition this week.
Baylor’s secondary cut loose against Texas Tech, as they finished the night with 5INT. One key component to those interceptions was the consistent pressure applied by the defensive line. The Bears were able to force six sacks against the Red Raiders, of which half came courtesy of junior DL Gabe Hall, who earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week.
One player who benefited from Hall’s havoc was cornerback AJ McCarty, who came away with his first career pick-six in Lubbock. McCarty’s performance helped him become the highest-rated defender for the Bears last week in the PFF ratings.
Offensively, it was quarterback Blake Shapen who earned the highest-rated PFF ranking for Baylor. Shapen finished the night 19-30 for 211 yards and one TD while helping guide the Bears to an impressive road victory.
Baylor is going to need Shapen to replicate that this week if the Bears plan on knocking off Oklahoma and its signal caller, Dillon Gabriel. Here is a look at the advanced statistical breakdown heading into Saturday’s game.
When the initial CFP rankings dropped on Monday, the Big 12 came away with four teams inside the Top 25 (TCU, K-State, Oklahoma State, Texas). While Baylor finds itself on the outside looking in at the moment, they still have three of the four ranked teams on its schedule this season.
Here is a look at Baylor’s “Most Deserved” ranking, as well as the projected Big 12 standings.
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