Baylor's season finale is a bittersweet tease of the future

Baylor traveled to Fort Worth not only to play spoiler to the Horned Frogs’ but to end the season on a note that can carry over to the next season. The former was hardly accomplished, losing 45-22. But for a time, it seemed like a real possibility TCU wouldn’t punch its ticket to the Big 12 title game with storming in the first few minutes.

Ultimately, despite the this being the second largest margin of loss all season, there’s an air of comfort to close the season.

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The dead horse has been beaten long enough — but this is really at the core of everything here — that injuries have been the curse of this team. No Taylor Young meant a weaker linebacker corps that was already without Clay Johnston. The receiver issues have long been an issue, having to move players in and take some away as well. Every spot has been affected and to walk away with the single performances the underclassmen gave against TCU is a victory itself.

Charlie Brewer

Though his vigor fighting for extra yards led to a costly turn over that turned the table in TCU’s favor, impressed through-and-through. The true freshman finished with his third 300-yard game (playing just three quarters), though this time it wasn’t against Texas Tech or Kansas but the conference’s No. 1 pass defense. 

His 19-of-29 completions only dropped his season completion rate to 68.1. The only freshman the past decade with a better rate is Marcus Mariota at 68.5. Brewer came into Waco holding the national completion percentage record in high school. Now he’s proven that’s no joke of a record, he’s doing the same work here.

That said, he’s also working under incredible duress. TCU had eight sacks, six coming from Mat Boesen alone, bullying Mo Porter and the left side of the line all afternoon. That pushed Brewer out of the pocket more than normal, leading the team with 45 yards rushing, the bulk coming from a 51-yard dash, proving another dimension to his already impressive skill set.

Finding momentum in the right places

While it was not as successful as TCU’s pass rush, Baylor’s three sacks on Kenny Hill still hold some weight, especially looking at the explosive moment that led to a safety in the first minute.

Bravvion Roy was credited with taking down Hill in the end zone but it was really a group effort up front, showing what the perfectly executed blitz Phil Snow has been trying to draw up all season like he did at Temple. Freshman Jalen Pitre rushed off the right edge with Lenoy Jones Jr. at his side, tipping momentum in Baylor’s favor.

Baylor has struggled to find that kind of momentum in the opening moments of a game all season, making this one of the more impressive and hopeful moments of the game.

While the steam generated from the opening minutes didn’t last as long as Baylor would have hoped, plays like Denzil Mims’ 50-yard grab to move into the red zone and Trestan Ebner’s 58-yard receiving TD were good omens. Except, Mims’ biggest play was axed by a controversial illegal man downfield call as was his chance at a fade pass in the end zone after the ref missed TCU pass interference. 

Momentum was taken away as soon as it was created but it’s those plays that didn’t count that still show up in the film room.

There are even more moments worth seeking like Blake Lynch coming through with the first TD and his athletic 40-yard catch that led to a missed field goal. It’s comforting to think Lynch wasn’t even supposed to be playing offense. But because of the injuries, he was making plays as a replacement like they’re routine. 

Lynch’s performance, more than his versatility or athleticism, represents what could be with a relatively healthy lineup that has players in their intended position. If this is what happens when things are out of place, there’s something bright down the road.