Keys to the Game: Baylor (2-2, 0-1) versus No. 22 BYU (4-0,1-0)
Saturday should tell us a lot about how the remainder of the season will likely unfold for head coach Dave Aranda and Baylor. After a heartbreaking loss on a national stage where the Bears (2-2, 0-1) poor execution and self-inflicted wounds did them in against Colorado, they now welcome a red-hot No. 22 BYU (4-0, 1-0) squad to Waco.
The Cougars are coming off a dominating 38-9 win over No. 12 Kansas State, the largest margin of victory for BYU against a top-15 ranked opponent in program history. Baylor has the ability to win this game, but here are three keys they must achieve to do so.
1: Score Touchdowns
There have been too many times this season when Baylor has found itself in the red zone on offense and failed to punch it into the end zone. Baylor can’t afford to settle for field goals against BYU, but the Cougars' stellar defense has not allowed an opponent to score more than 15 points in each of its first four games since 1984.
Quarterback Sawyer Robertson (RJr.) will need to be extremely accurate with his passes this week, with five different BYU defenders coming away with interceptions this season. The Cougars have also yet to allow a passing touchdown this season, so Baylor will need to change that to knock off BYU.
2: Execute on Special Teams
Baylor’s field goal unit has been inconsistent this season, including the crucial missed 45-yard field goal by Isaiah Hankins (RJr.) with 2:26 remaining in the game last week in Boulder. The Bears will likely be getting plenty of field goal opportunities this week, and they can’t afford to miss any of them.
It would be much appreciated if Baylor could continue to get great kick and punt returns from Josh Cameron (RJr.) and Jamaal Bell (5Sr.) this week. BYU has a dangerous returner in the reigning Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week, Parker Kingston (Fr.).
Kingston made SportsCenter’s Top 10 last week after his surreal 90-yard punt return for a touchdown against K-State. Baylor will need to contain Kingston, or avoid kicking the ball in his direction at all cost.
3: No Turnovers
This has been an issue we’ve been harping on all season, and yet it cost Baylor the game last week in overtime when Colorado star Travis Hunter (Jr.) rocked Dominic Richardson (Sr.) at the goal line and forced a fumble that the Buffs recovered.
BYU’s defense thrives on forcing turnovers. The Cougars are fifth in the Big 12 in interceptions (5), third in forced fumbles (4), fifth in fumble recoveries (3) and third overall.
Baylor must take care of the football or else this game could get out of hand early for the Bears.
Conclusion:
This game definitely has that must-win feeling for Baylor. The Bears are currently on a nine-game skid against ranked opponents, ironically beginning against BYU in 2022 when they lost in double overtime in Provo 26-20.
During the Aranda era, Baylor is 5-13 against ranked opponents and are 0-13 when scoring less than 20 points. If the Bears can’t end that streak on Saturday, the temperature in Waco is going to turn into an inferno.
Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. on FS1. Tune into the 365 Sports pregame show on YouTube and KWTX and join myself and David Smoak for the postgame show on YouTube immediately following the game.