SicEm365 Staff Predictions for Baylor's Matchup against Houston

The SicEm365 Staff gives their predictions for Baylor’s (3-5, 2-3) matchup against Houston (3-5, 1-4). Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at McLane Stadium and will be streamed on ESPN+.

Colt Barber (5-3) — Baylor 35, Houston 34

This is an interesting matchup. Houston’s offense is plenty good through the air but struggles on the ground. Meanwhile, this will be one of the bottom three or so defenses Baylor will face in the league this season. If Baylor can’t pull this one off, they won’t win another one. 

Cole Tompkins - SicEm 365

According to Caesars Sportsbook, Baylor is a three-point favorite against Houston, and the over/under is 57.5.

Brian Ethridge (3-5) — Baylor 24, Houston 21

Baylor needs to own the AAC and going 3-0 should do it. 

Ashley Hodge (3-4) — Houston 27, Baylor 21

Can’t run, can’t stop the run, hard to trust this team.

David Smoak (6-2) — Houston 27, Baylor 21

It’s obvious both teams have been disappointing, although most thought Houston would have a tough first year in the Big 12. I said before the season started that Baylor needed to get back to a bowl but not struggle to get there and it’s been more than a struggle. I never once bought into anything about Baylor competing for a Big 12 championship, but to be out of the race before November wasn’t on my bingo card. Even with their warts, Houston seems to have more firepower than Baylor: speed kills.

Paul Catalina (4-4) — Houston 23, Baylor 20

These are two bad teams playing. This game is like “Let’s Make a Deal,” but there is no good prize behind any door – picking a winner is difficult.

Craig Smoak (5-3) — Baylor 30, Houston 27

This game is a gut-check for Baylor Football. Back at McLane, if there is any fire running throughout that locker room and pride in defending their home turf, it should be loud and clear through their play this weekend, and I don’t mean starting late in the third quarter or upon further review.  

Travis Roeder (3-5) — Houston 34, Baylor 24

I think Baylor is able to get their ground game going decently well but isn't able to find consistency in the passing game without Ketron Jackson. Meanwhile, Houston's offense enjoys battling against Baylor's defense instead of Kansas State. The difference in this game is Houston's wide receiver play, as those guys are able to generate a bunch of chunk plays. 

Sam Bradshaw (3-3) — Houston 31, Baylor 23

In 2020, I predicted Baylor 34-27 on these guys as I felt that UH’s gambling on defense and Baylor’s future NFL talent on defense, like Woods, Pitre, Bernard, Barnes and others, would do enough to limit UH. This year, I don’t feel the same.  I felt like the prior defensive scheme UH had would have let BU win a shootout, but here I question if they can execute in the red zone despite moving the ball.  Baylor gets yards but can’t convert to points, and UH preventing big plays and scores from distance pays dividends. 

Kendall Kaut (4-4) — Houston 31, Baylor 20

Jack Mackenzie - SicEm365

Baylor (3-5, 2-3) has dropped each of its four home contests to FBS opponents this season and has lost seven of its last eight dating back to 2022.

A loss is not spinnable. I don't know how you even claim, "Oh yeah, things will get better," if you lose to Houston. Baylor still has not looked competitive against a team that played in a power league in 2023, and it's also been pretty lucky to win two of its few wins against former American teams. 

Grayson Grundhoefer (4-4) — Baylor 24, Houston 23

Both of these teams are bad, especially Baylor at home (1-5) and Houston on the road (0-3). Something has to give here. I am going to go with Baylor by the slightest of margins as the trend continues....they beat the new teams and get crushed by the original eight. 

Jack Mackenzie (5-3) — Baylor 30, Houston 27

It feels like this is the last good chance for a win this year. Maybe I’m making myself feel like Baylor will find a way to win, but either way, that’s the feeling I have.

Garrett Ross (4-4) — Houston 34, Baylor 27

This is Baylor’s last hope of winning at McLane Stadium this season and might be their last hope of winning in general, in my opinion. I have no faith in this team, and I expect Houston’s playmakers to take advantage of the Bears’ subpar defense.

Emory Winter (4-4) — Houston 17, Baylor 14

Houston wins in an absolute stinker. We will see what we have seen all year: slow start, missed tackles, struggle to dominate the line of scrimmage and no energy. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck... it's probably a duck. 

Levi Caraway (7-1) — Baylor 37, Houston 31

The Bears can pick up their first home win against an FBS opponent in 378 days on Saturday. There is no reason why Baylor should lose, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they do. This being considered a “toss-up” game is a frustrating microcosm of where the program is at right now.