Staff Predictions: Baylor Looks to Get Back on Track & Earn Ranked Win against No. 17 SMU
The SicEm365 Staff gives their predictions for Baylor’s matchup against its former Southwest Conference foe, the SMU Mustangs. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas, and the game will be televised on the CW Channel.
Colt Barber (0-1) — Baylor 45, SMU 35
If SMU can get anywhere close to replicating Auburn’s offensive game plan, Baylor is in for a long final 10 games of the season. I like SMU’s personnel, but it’s nothing better, and in many instances, worse, than what the Bears will face for the rest of the season. Defensively, this is game zero for the Ponies to figure out just exactly what they have in their front seven in all positions, especially if starting linebacker Alexander Kilgore is out. Baylor, in my opinion, won’t have the same redzone challenges in this game after only scoring two touchdowns on five trips against Auburn. It’s worth noting that East Texas A&M went into the red zone six times against SMU and scored just 13 points.
Ashley Hodge (0-1) — SMU 44, Baylor 38
I’m not confident without Jackie Marshall. I think this defensive line will struggle to contain SMU's explosive offense and keep them in check. SMU is gonna score over 40, and I think there's gonna be a couple of turnovers for the Baylor offense. This should be a shootout that, unfortunately, does not go the Bears' way.
Grayson Grundhoefer (0-1) — Baylor 40, SMU 34
All offseason, I was much more scared of the Auburn game, and we all know how that turned out. However, this SMU team feels very similar to the teams Baylor had success against at the end of last season, despite the losses they have suffered in the front seven. Baylor should run the football for over 170 yards and score a lot of points. However, I do not trust Baylor defensively after Week 1, and I won’t trust them until they show me something. This feels like a get-right spot for the Bears, but as the game draws closer, I am having a very uneasy feeling because I like Baylor in this matchup so much. I see a shootout, and ultimately, I will pick the more desperate team, which is the Bears.
Jack Mackenzie (0-1) — Baylor 41, SMU 27
The Bears’ offense blows the doors off an inferior defense, thanks to establishing the running game. Bryson Washington gets his first 100-yard game of the season. The defense racks up enough stops to make things comfortable. Questions linger about whether Dave Aranda is aggressive enough with his defensive game plans, but Baylor secures a top-25 win.
Levi Caraway (0-1) — Baylor 37, SMU 34
It’s hard to have much faith in Baylor’s defense after last week’s performance against Auburn, but the good news is the offense looked really good, and they should be able to have a more-established run game against the Ponies. If the defense can find a way to muster a few stops or create some turnovers, the Bears should be able to get back on track.
Sam Bradshaw (1-0) — SMU 34, Baylor 31
Baylor’s offense lit up Auburn while the defense didn’t do a good job at all. SMU won convincingly against an FCS team on the scoreboard, but that 42-13 looks a lot worse when you consider two pick-sixes that Sawyer Robertson is unlikely to give them. I go back and forth on which team’s problems I should trust more. I could see Baylor’s offense and SMU’s offense both go off, but until I see the defense make it tough, I have a hard time betting against Rhett Lashlee and Scott Symons.
Join In On The Discussion!
- Gameday Thread: Bears Travel to Dallas to Face Former Southwest Conference Foe, No. 17 SMU
