SicEm365 Staff Predictions for Baylor's 2023 Season Opener against Texas State

The SicEm365 Staff gives their predictions for Baylor’s season opener against Texas State. The contest will kick off at 6 p.m. at McLane Stadium and will be streamed on ESPN+.

Colt Barber — Baylor 45, Texas State 21

I’m expecting GJ Kinne to pull out all of the stops to get points on the board on Saturday, but I expect some quick-and-outs that give Baylor some quick turnarounds and allow them to get points on the board. Baylor fans will have to live with the heartburn of Texas State moving the ball to start the season, but Baylor’s offense should also run efficiently.

Jack Mackenzie - SicEm365

According to Caesars Sportsbook, Baylor is a -27.5 favorite over Texas State, and the over/under is 60.

Brian Ethridge – Baylor 45, Texas State 24

Baylor still has youth and inexperience in the back seven, and this could be exploited with the offense Texas State has rolled out. I do expect Baylor's offensive line to have some gaffes as well in many of their first starts and rotations. In the end, Baylor will pound the rock, use their weapons, and pull away in the second half. 

Ashley Hodge — Baylor 52, Texas State 21

Baylor's run game and pressure on Texas State's QB will make this a comfortable win for the Bears. 

David Smoak — Baylor 37, Texas State 20

Baylor’s inexperienced secondary will be tested but will settle down, and the Bears run game will eat the clock and grind out yardage to set up a couple of deep throws and on to Utah!

Paul Catalina — Baylor 44, Texas State 24

The secondary will have a busy first game since GJ Kinne is going to spread the ball around, but Baylor’s toughness will win out in the end. Lots of yards on the ground and a few big plays in the air mean Baylor will grab a lead and not look back. 

Craig Smoak — Baylor 41, Texas State 24

Powledge's new defense gets wobbled a couple of times but stays on its feet to help finish the fight. The two-headed monster at RB dictates the day, but the offense makes it a point to build up confidence in Shapen and WR. Nothing too crazy, save that for Utah. 

Travis Roeder — Baylor 48, Texas State 31

Baylor's offense should be able to do whatever it wants in this one and should score on 60+ percent of its drives; if Texas State plays aggressively against the run, we'll see quite a few bombs to guys like Ketron Jackson and Hal Presley. Defensively, I am concerned and think Texas State is going to rip off a number of big plays in this one, especially in the QB run game as Malik Hornsby will probably be the best pure athlete on the field. Defenses always start slow, so expect a few missed tackles and a coverage bust or two. 

Sam Bradshaw — Baylor 37, Texas State 17

I am not sold on Baylor's backup NTs, but I think Aranda will have enough to limit this game.  Also, Malik Hornsby won't throw like Lindsey Scott did for UIW even if he's another dual threat like him.  He'll hit some, but he'll sail some.

Kendall Kaut — Baylor 38, Texas State 21

Texas State Athletics

Texas State is led by first-year head coach GJ Kinne.

I think the offense has some big moments, and any worries about Blake Shapen are tempered for a bit. But I expect the defense to give up a couple of big plays to leave the future a bit uncertain. 

Grayson Grundhoefer — Baylor 45, Texas State 17

I expect the Bears to be able to run the football effectively throughout while hitting on some big plays in the passing game. Texas State will move the ball some, but ultimately, this Baylor team is very focused after last season, and they come out ready to roll on both sides of the ball. Offseason MVP's Ketron Jackson, Mike Smith Jr. and TJ Franklin make their presence felt.

Jack Mackenzie — Baylor 48, Texas State 21

GJ Kinne and his offensive scheme will get theirs, but against the superior talent at Baylor, they have no real shot to win. Shapen looks good, and the Bears hit a few bombs as they roll to victory.

Garrett Ross — Baylor 48, Texas State 24

Texas State is going to test the youthful Baylor secondary, but the ability to control the trenches will be the difference for the Bears defensively. I expect to see a much improved Blake Shapen, and Baylor should separate themselves in the second half by leaning on its ability to run the rock.

Emory Winter — Baylor 31, Texas State 17

Baylor will control the clock by dominating the line of scrimmage and start the season with a big game on the ground. The Bears will bring back an energy on defense they lacked last year with the return of Coach Powledge. 

Levi Caraway — Baylor 38, Texas State 24

Despite being a firm believer in GJ Kinne’s offense, the Texas State defense is a work in progress. Led by the running back tandem of Richard Reese and Dominic Richardson, Baylor will score early and often.