:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/40999332/456648064.0.jpg)
51-51-7.That's the all time record between TCU and Baylor. A tie.
Their record against each other since TCU joined the Big 12? 1-1. A tie.
So, I suppose that we could call this game, the first one ever to see both teams ranked in the Top 10, a tiebreaker.
This year, for the first time in a while, we both teams come into the game with some sense of well-roundedness, as Baylor has found a defense, and TCU now knows that scoring a lot of points is really fun. So, here's a quick breakdown of that Baylor looks like this season, with more to come throughout the week.
Baylor on Offense
Baylor has made waves nationally over the past few years with a dynamic offense that seems impossible to stop. With Bryce Petty coming back to lead the way, along with weapons like Shock Linwood, K.D. Canon, Antwan Goodley and Jay Lee, Baylor is primed to have another incredible offense.
They beat up on Iowa State really badly, but struggled against a mediocre Texas team. Against the Longhorns, Petty completed only 31.8% of his passes (7-for-22) for 111 yards, while still managing to throw two touchdowns. Texas was able to get a bit of pressure on Petty, and he didn't look comfortable for the whole game. Instead of an air show, Baylor beat Texas by wearing them out on the ground. Shock Linwood was the workhorse, rushing 28 times for 148 yards and a touchdown.
This just in: Tyrone Swoopes still thinks Texas will make the playoffs.
Baylor on Defense
It's hard not to see it, but Baylor has improved on defense from years past. Granted, they haven't played an offense yet that's shown any signs of a pulse, but they've looked good while shutting teams down. Jonathan Gray was able to get a little bit of a running game going for Texas, rushing 12 times for 76 yards and a touchdown (6.6 YPC), but Texas struggled out of the gate, and by the time they got things going they were down too much for the run game to be a factor.
Sophomore safety Orion Stewart had two interceptions against Texas, bringing his total to three on the season. Despite Baylor's improvements on defense though, they haven't seen an offense as good as TCU's yet this season, so it'll be a fun matchup to watch. The Bears will also be without premier defensive end Jamal Palmer, after Palmer tore his ACL against Texas and is out for the season.
-----------------------------------------------------------
TCU will have to execute perfectly to pull of the win in Waco, but it can be done. Keep it here for more throughout the week, as we get ready for the biggest game of the season to date.