GameDay Thread: Baylor travels to Texas Tech for first time since 2008

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Baylor (1-4) is back on the road again to face off against Texas Tech (2-5) on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. CT in a game that will be aired on FS1. 

Baylor vs. Texas Tech Primer

A year after a controversial ending to the 2019 contest between Baylor and Texas Tech in Waco, the Bears hit the road to Lubbock in what will be a game that could be the turning point for both programs in 2020. 

After a season opening victory over Kansas, the Bears have struggled to find consistency in the stretch of four-straight losses that followed. As for the Red Raiders, Matt Wells’ teams has seen it all: a very close call to Houston Baptist, an overtime loss to Texas after having a 15-point lead with 3:13 remaining in regulation and blow out losses to Iowa State, Oklahoma and TCU. Oh, and a random win over West Virginia right in the middle. 

But the paths to the current records have been quite different. While Baylor has worked through a scheme change on offense and defense under new head coach Dave Aranda while dealing with three game cancellations and postponements because of COVID, Tech has struggled under their second-year head who has tried to build on a 4-8 2019 season that was scalped by four losses by three points or less.

That included a double-overtime loss to the Bears where a fumble that was recovered by the Red Raiders in the first extra period was ruled an illegal snap. If both teams were in the position they had hoped this fall, that specific play would likely be getting much more attention leading up to kickoff.

The internal issues for both programs at this juncture in the season are more pressing, however. While Texas Tech plans to play two quarterbacks against the Bears tomorrow, Aranda’s defense will be dealing with the challenge of replacing their leading rusher and their best defender, Sqwirl Williams and Terrel Bernard, who were both lost for the season due to injury last Saturday against Iowa State. 

Needless to say, something has to give for the teams that have a combined record of 3-9. 

Baylor vs. Texas Tech Prediction

Written by Sam Bradshaw (S11)

Neither team is looking strong this year but both are probably 3-4 win teams in a “normal” year at this point.  Both teams have dynamic skill guys, inconsistency at QB, and line issues.   One team forces turnovers, doesn’t massively lose the field position battle, and shows more ability to impact the opposing offense.

Baylor wins one that’s close.

Baylor 34, Texas Tech 30