Staff Predictions: Baylor Welcomes Oklahoma State to Waco for Homecoming
The SicEm365 Staff gives their predictions for Baylor’s (3-4, 1-3) conference matchup against Oklahoma State (3-4, 0-4). Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 26, at McLane Stadium, and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
Colt Barber (5-2) — Baylor 34, Oklahoma State 27
Oklahoma State’s defense has allowed all of its opponents to move and ultimately score the football at will. Baylor’s defense plays with attention to detail after those garbage-time touchdowns late against Tech. Alan Bowman gets some stats, but his turnover problems rear their head. Baylor ultimately shakes the home woes and gets the win.
Brian Ethridge (3-4) — Oklahoma State 38, Baylor 24
Don't give me that Kool-Aid and expect it not to have some remnants of mullet hair at the bottom of the jug. Mike Gundy and his team seem a bit lost, but the Cowboys love playing in Waco and need a bounceback in the worst way.
Ashley Hodge (5-2) — Baylor 38, Oklahoma State 33
In Sawyer, we trust! He's gaining more confidence by the day. Oklahoma State is a desperate, hungry team, but I am hopeful that the Bears can build on the momentum from the game in Lubbock.
David Smoak (6-1) — Baylor 30, Oklahoma State 26
As cleansing as the win was in Lubbock, can you trust Baylor to repeat that performance? I don’t know, and I also don’t know if Oklahoma State had their all-for-one moment in taking BYU to the brink of their first loss. It’s hard to imagine a Mike Gundy team losing five straight, right? Wrong!
Paul Catalina (5-2) — Baylor 37, Oklahoma State 28
We finally saw things click for Baylor and four quarters of solid work. Oklahoma State is in a free fall. Baylor takes advantage of it.
Craig Smoak (5-2) — Baylor 42, Oklahoma State 28
The critical lesson learned from last week is the importance of playing together. The offense flexes its firepower again, and the defense proves it can finish with an unrelenting edge as the Bears eventually outduel a dangerously desperate pack of Cowboys.
Grayson Grundhoefer (5-2) — Baylor 34, Oklahoma State 24
This is yet another good matchup for the Baylor offense, as Oklahoma State currently has the worst defense in the league. The defense gets to face Alan Bowman, which should have them salivating. He has turned the ball over seven times in the last four games. Baylor has to learn to win at home. The Bears are 0-8 in their previous eight home conference games. It's time to break the streak.
Travis Roeder (6-1) — Baylor 34, Oklahoma State 33
I would fear a letdown in this spot, except that Baylor has Sawyer Robertson. He puts on a "we are not losing this game" performance. OSU plays well overall, but Baylor wins the shootout.
Sam Bradshaw (6-1) — Baylor 31, Oklahoma State 27
I expect OSU to have a couple of scores manufactured off of their game plan, and I expect Baylor to slow them down some. Baylor likely has the advantage in field position and special teams, and that’s enough against a defense that’s allowed 55% of opponent drives to score in the last three games.
Kendall Kaut (5-2) — Baylor 35, Oklahoma State 31
This one feels like a true coin flip. Oklahoma State scores a lot, but Sawyer Robertson and Baylor find a way to drive late.
Garrett Ross (5-2) — Baylor 35, Oklahoma State 24
Alan Bowman should be selling insurance at this point and Ollie Gordon has regressed. Baylor should win this game and owe it to their home fans to do so.
Levi Caraway (3-4) — Baylor 34, Oklahoma State 17
Now that the Bears have a conference victory under their belt, the next step is to build off the positive momentum and learn to stack wins. Oklahoma State is reeling, and Dave Aranda’s squad needs to take advantage. My belief in Baylor burned me early, but I’m back on the bandwagon.