Staff Predictions: Baylor Looks to Upset No. 13 Utah in Waco

The SicEm365 Staff gives their predictions for Baylor’s (5-4, 3-3) matchup against No. 13 Utah (7-2, 4-2). Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT on Saturday, Nov. 15, at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN2.

• Spread: Utah (-8.5)
• O/U: 60.5
• Moneyline: Utah (-320), Baylor (+260)

Colt Barber (6-3) — Utah 31, Baylor 23

Believe it or not, I feel like this team is going to play with some reckless abandon on Saturday. Utah is as talented as it gets on the offensive line and should be able to control the line of scrimmage, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Dave Aranda game plan that limits the Utah offense in general. Offensively, Baylor has to build on its performance against UCF by not giving the ball back to Utah on fourth downs or committing live-ball turnovers. Unfortunately, too many things will need to go right for Baylor to pull this one off. 

Ashley Hodge (4-5) — Utah 31, Baylor 24

No one should be listening to me, look at my record! Only Grayson is challenging me for the staff cellar! But I don’t see this happening. Utah will control the line of scrimmage and pull away late in the game.

Grayson Grundhoefer (4-5) — Utah 35, Baylor 27

The best thing Utah does is run the football, and the worst thing Baylor does is stop the run. That is a big problem and will lead to a strong offensive day for the Utes. Sawyer Robertson and the passing attack hit on enough plays to make it competitive, but ultimately, the offense just isn’t consistent enough to make up for the defense. Baylor plays hard, but it doesn’t result in a win.

Jack Mackenzie (6-3) — Utah 42, Baylor 21

Utah’s superiority in the trenches will help them jump out to an early lead and put this one to bed by the early third quarter at the latest. The UCF game for Baylor was a nice change of pace, but the gulf in quality between the Knights and the Utes should not be underestimated. Bears tack on a touchdown late to make this one look slightly less bad.

Levi Caraway (6-3) — Utah 31, Baylor 27

Baylor’s offense keeps things interesting, but the defense is going to have a hard time keeping Utah’s offense from getting whatever it wants.

Sam Bradshaw (7-2) — Utah 35, Baylor 24

Baylor played well against UCF, but I just don’t see it happening here. Utah’s defense will give some things up, but on the other side of the ball, I have little confidence in Baylor stopping them. Utah is notoriously good at extending drives, and Baylor is notoriously bad at allowing conversions to extend drives.