Gameday Thread: Baylor vs. Texas

BAYLOR (0-7) vs. TEXAS (3-4)

McLane Stadium | 11 A.m. CT | ESPNU

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PLAYING TIME FOR SMITH, BREWER

Zach Smith will get the ball to open the game against Texas on Saturday, but depending on the success he has, or that he doesn't have, freshman Charlie Brewer will look for his entrance into the game to come sooner than in previous weeks.

The Bears have struggled to finish drives throughout the season, including three attempted (and made) field goals in a two-point loss to West Virginia last Saturday. This is where Brewer could have his biggest impact on the game without being asked to do too much. After averaging a respectable 33 yards per possession with Smith at QB against the Mountaineers, the group could not capitalize on solid drives with touchdowns until the middle of the third quarter.

Oppositely, Brewer put together four-straight scoring drives in the fourth quarter, including three touchdowns, one of which came on an improvised play inside the 10-yard line to give the Bears a shot to tie the game with a two-point conversion.

Matt Rhule wasn't ready to give the keys over to the freshman just yet, but playing time should come more often than it has moving forward.

SIDENOTE STORYLINE

Matchup of strengths, weaknesses in Baylor vs. Texas

Texas will bring arguably the best defense in the Big 12 to Waco on Saturday with hopes of keeping Baylor's inconsistent offensive production on the downward trend for the entire 60 minutes. On the opposite side of the ball, however, is where the Longhorns have yet to put together much of any attack throughout the season.

That's a good thing for the Baylor defense who hasn't had much room to breath after facing Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and West Virginia three of their last four games. In six games this season against Power 5 opponents, the Longhorns have averaged 19.2 offensive points per game in regulation play. Compare that to Baylor's 26.6 points against Power 5 opponents this season.

The only flaw with that line of thinking is that the Texas defense and special teams consistently put pressure on opponents by forcing turnovers, scoring points of their own, and winning the field position battle.

If Baylor wants to get their first win of the season Saturday, they must find their offensive rhythm early and keep the Texas offense from finding any hope in the run game.

MATT RHULE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

On some of the small improvements the team continues to make...

“I think the thing I’m excited about is the last two first quarters. We’ve come out and we’ve been ready to play, and we’ve been more ready than we had previously. It was 21-7 against Oklahoma or whatever it was, but in this last game, even though they were able to go down and get a field goal on the first drive, we were able to move the ball down the field. We just weren’t able to punch it in. It was 7-3, and I’m not great at remembering what everything was, but it was kind of a back and forth game in the first quarter. It’s just that in the second quarter and at the end of the half we got a little tired. We had a chance with the ball to go down and take the lead going into halftime, and that flipped on us quick. You’re hopeful that the players begin to recognize the mindset that was present in the fourth quarter. We just need to have that mindset the whole game. Bad things are going to happen. Good things are going to happen. We just need to go out there and expect good things and deal with bad things. That’s what I say to myself the whole game. That’s how you have to think to get through these games. As we continue to do that, as we’re doing that better now than we were, we can go out and play even better.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jim Black Charlie Brewer Zach Smith will get the start against Texas, but after his fourth-quarter performance against WVU, Charlie Brewer has earned his right to get time in crucial situations. The Bears have struggled in the red zone all season, could Brewer's dual-threat ability be what Baylor needs?

Jim Black Eric Ogor With Sam Ehlinger out and backup QB Shane Buechele set to make his third start of the season, Baylor will need to apply pressure consistently to make Buechele uncomfortable and not settle in. Eric Ogor is Baylor's best pass rusher and disrupter and should receive his opportunity to create chaos.

Jim Black Offensive Line Against the best defensive front the Bears have seen all season it will be a must for Baylor's OL to play steady from start to finish if they want to stay in the game. No matter who the QB is, if they can't stay off of their back, it's going to be a long day for the offense.

Jim Black Defensive Line Pass rush is important, but containing the Texas running backs needs to be the most important task of the day for the DL. With Ehlinger still in concussion protocol, the Longhorns success on the ground should be limited on Saturday. If the DL can't contain the group, it will be a long day for the entire team.