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Baylor Football

Gameday Thread: Baylor (4-3) travels to face #13 West Virginia (5-1)

October 24, 2018
121,090

BAYLOR (4-3) at WEST VIRGINIA (5-1)

Milan Puskar Stadium| 6:00 p.m CT | FS1

Depth Chart | Schedule | Big 12 Standings | Roster | Staff | Key Players


Storylines of the Week

Compete, Compete, Compete

Last year the Bears lost all of their road games by double digits except for a game against Kansas, a game they won by double digits. In 2018 the Oklahoma game snowballed on the Bears, but the Texas game was extremely close through the final seconds. A contest against West Virginia is another opportunity for the Bears to keep a big time road game close and give themselves a chance to get a big victory in the final quarter. The key will be competing from start to finish against one of the top teams in the league. The Bears cannot get down big early like their 2017 matchup in Waco and they have to move the ball well enough to not only score points but also to keep the ball out of Will Grier’s hands. They cannot be careless with football nor can they give up a ton of explosive plays. Baylor has to stick with the gameplan and stick to their assignments. If they can get close to doing all of these things they can win this game but if not it will be the same result they have seen in many of their tough road games the past two years and it could result in a blowout.

It’s third down!

This will be one of the biggest stats to watch throughout the game Thursday evening. Baylor has done a tremendous job at converting third downs this season with a 48-percent conversion rate, good enough to be ranked 14th in the nation. Even more impressive than that is that they are 25-for-51 on third-down conversions on the road against UTSA, OU and Texas. West Virginia has also been outstanding on third down as they are ranked seventh with a 50-percent conversion rate. They are 21-for-35 at home but against the likes of Youngstown State, Kansas State and Kansas, so not exactly the stiffest competition. They are coming off of a 2-for-10 performance at Iowa State which was by far the worst of the season for the Mountaineers, but the road atmosphere will not be an issue at home.

On the flip side both have not been great at preventing third downs on defense, though West Virginia has been significantly better than Baylor. The Mountaineers are ranked 43rd in third-down conversion defense allowing a conversion 36 percent of the time. The Bears rank 109th in the country giving up a conversion 44 percent of the time. Baylor will need to be quite a bit better than this to beat West Virginia on the road. Keep an eye on this stat throughout the game because there is a good chance that it will predict the winner.


Quote of the Week

“We are going to play three ranked teams this year. All three we will play on the road. Going into Morgantown on a Thursday night will be raucous. We better have the mentality where we can eliminate distractions and focus on the game and just take it one play at a time. West Virginia will make some big plays and we want to limit those big plays. Last year it was a 10-10 game with a minute and a half left before halftime and we let them score.  We came out in the second half and they scored quick, so it went from 10-10 to 24-10 really quick. We mounted a comeback at the end. But we can’t panic. These guys will make explosive plays we just need to limit those 60 yard plays to 20 yard plays. We can only control one play at a time.” — Matt Rhule


Statistic of the Week

Against West Virginia in 2017, then freshman Charlie Brewer led a Baylor comeback that fell just short against the Mountaineers as a two-point conversion couldn't be converted two tie the game with 17 seconds remaining. 

Brewer entered the game at the end of the third quarter for starter Zach Smith and picked up a first down on his first play from scrimmage. Two plays into the fourth quarter, the Bears scored seven of their 23 points in the final session when Brewer found running back Trestan Ebner on a wheel route up the sideline.

Brewer completed 8-of-13 passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 10 times for 48 yards in a little over a quarter as the Bears closed the 38-13 WVU lead to 38-36 in the final moments. Brewer was then sacked on the conversion attempt and the comeback could not be completed.


Players to Watch

Jim Black
BJ Thompson

WVU has shown they can issues slowing down pass rushers in their last three games while Baylor hasn't had a great opportunity to get after the passer this season. BJ Thompson's athletic ability needs to be a factor on Thursday in Morgantown.

Jim Black
Charlie Brewer

Charlie Brewer had the first signficant playing time of his career against WVU in Waco a season ago as a true freshmen. Brewer led the Bears to 23 fourth-quarter points and will need to have similar success if the Bears want a shot at an upset in 2018.

Jim Black
Blake Lynch

The former wide receiver finally seems to have a home at the SAM linebacker position in Baylor's defense after a terrific performance against Texas two weeks ago. Lynch will need to hold up well in coverage and against the run again against WVU.

Discussion from...

Gameday Thread: Baylor (4-3) travels to face #13 West Virginia (5-1)

81,932 Views | 479 Replies | Last: 6 yr ago by Aliceinbubbleland
Space Cutter
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Rhule needs to forfeit at halftime so final score officially reads 2-0.

Rhule needs to give back his paycheck for the last 2 weeks effort.

This is embarrassing. Rhule has no answers to fix it either.
BaylorOkie
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RD2WINAGNBEAR86 said:

Where is Thee?
The blue pill just kicked in. Give him a minute and he'll be out of the bathroom.
BaylorRocks
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YoakDaddy said:

zunooreo said:

PartyBear said:

zunooreo said:

Overmatched, inexperienced OC against a Top 20 program.
It started to show against Texas.
That is what you are really starting to see on the field tonight, grown much worse by players trying to overcome it through individual effort.
Look for an OC change this offseason.


Frankly if we don't win 2 more we should be looking for all new everything staff and HC wise.
No, Rhule is the right head coach.

He's a youth pastor who also coaches football.
And you're a football-ignorant troll. But I appreciate your passion.
BaylorRocks
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BearPa said:

Rhule looks like a chicken with its head chopped off on the sideline. Always heard the team reflects their coach, tonight is a perfect example of that.
Not an accurate statement. But I appreciate your passion.
Mitch Blood Green
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BaylorOkie said:

RD2WINAGNBEAR86 said:

Where is Thee?
The blue pill just kicked in. Give him a minute and he'll be out of the bathroom.


Blind?
Squatch Hunter
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The o line is playing scared. They need to suck it up and play with some damn pride in the second half.
possible12
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EasyE said:

TheGoldenRhule said:

If you were a recruit committed to Baylor would you be looking to transfer?

Transfer?
typical
chukronos
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possible12 said:

chukronos said:

When was the last time Dana holgerson had a shower? Or a day sober?
So back to making fun of coaches, schools, opponents, calling everyone cheaters, undisciplined, win at all cost programs. I like it!
Exactly!
GruntTuff
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So, would you trade Rhule for Matt Campbell? We pay Rhule more.

But....Campbell might drink.
Mitch Blood Green
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Squatch Hunter said:

The o line is playing scared. They need to suck it up and play with some damn pride in the second half.


It's not just them. Backs have to beat linebackers. QBs have to get the ball out. Receivers have to catch. Coaches have to scheme.
BaylorOkie
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tommie said:

BaylorOkie said:

RD2WINAGNBEAR86 said:

Where is Thee?
The blue pill just kicked in. Give him a minute and he'll be out of the bathroom.


Blind?
If you take enough blue pills.
BaylorRocks
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Time to protect Brewer and the other 1's you look to win a 6th or 7th game with. Expect a lot of McClendon (maybe Bohanon!) in 2nd half.
boognish_bear
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Someone mentioned Bohannon earlier in the thread. That would at least provide some level of interest for this throw away second half
dickies002
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Hahahhahahahahahahahaha
MilliVanilli
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geewago said:

MilliVanilli said:


There's nothing that doesn't make you Cabers homesick for Briles.
It's hard to forget Briles when Milli mentions him 3 times a day.
Triggered by being called out for your own daily content, fascinating stuff.
CorsicanaBear
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zunooreo said:

Time to protect Brewer and the other 1's you look to win a 6th or 7th game with. Expect a lot of McClendon (maybe Bohanon!) in 2nd half.
They are going to have to find away to win a 5th game first. I'm not so sure they get a shot to win a 6th.

Illigitimus non carborundum
chukronos
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That's gonna cost us some TOP.
BearlyConscious
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Good start to the 2nd half.
dickies002
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WVU up 41 running trick plays. Looks like fun.
BearKamp
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HaHaHa! We are pathetic
GShack
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We're not supposed to say things like this, but Platt needs to graduate.
chukronos
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Is Rhule being evaluated for a head injury? Out for the rest of the game?
Squatch Hunter
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Brewer head injury per fox reporter
Assassin
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this the game we see Bohannan?
Facebook Groups at 'Memories of... Dallas, Texas, Football in Texas, Texas Music, and our newest Memories From a Texas Window' Come visit!
possible12
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BearPa said:

Rhule looks like a chicken with its head chopped off on the sideline. Always heard the team reflects their coach, tonight is a perfect example of that.
I'm sure he's humiliated and will take it harder than anyone. There is no good look for enduring this type game. At least the players have on helmets to hide.
Cove Dawg
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zunooreo said:

LK4BU87 said:

Completely embarrassing! This is not progress. This is regress.
Not an accurate statement. But I appreciate your passion.


Obviously from the everyone gets a ribbon and juice box generation. You truly see progress with this team?
Mitch Blood Green
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Assassin said:

this the game we see Bohannan?


Next week makes more sense.
Texas Tiger
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Baylor's about to be the victim of a lot of West Virginia just scored again jokes!
Assassin
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tommie said:

Assassin said:

this the game we see Bohannan?


Next week makes more sense.
it McLendon goes down, the asst coaches son is the other backup, isnt he?
Facebook Groups at 'Memories of... Dallas, Texas, Football in Texas, Texas Music, and our newest Memories From a Texas Window' Come visit!
Jacques Strap
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We need 13 more yards to get to 100 for the game
chukronos
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So.... not really a head injury. At least be honest.
Branch155
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Hey -- we crossed midfield!
BearlyConscious
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We crossed the 50!
Branch155
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Pity flag. I'll take it
Squatch Hunter
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Back 2 Back first downs!
 
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