College Football Game of the Week: No. 10 Oklahoma vs. No. 12 Baylor
The Baylor Bears are having a Cinderella run for the ages this season, but Saturday will feature their toughest test yet in the Oklahoma Sooners. In what is likely a preview of the Big 12 championship game, the Sooners and Bears square off in the college football game of the week. Oklahoma’s playoff hopes hang in the balance, while Baylor tries to prove that it’s for real.
Oklahoma is seeking to avoid its second Big 12 loss of the season after losing to Kansas State earlier in the year. If there is one person you can expect to step up for the Sooners, it’s Jalen Hurts. Hurts is having an incredible season, throwing for 24 touchdowns and only four interceptions. A lot of that success is thanks to CeeDee Lamb, who is tied for first in FBS in receiving touchdowns with 13. Oklahoma’s offense is the second-highest scoring offense in the country, averaging 48.4 points per game.
Although Oklahoma boats an incredible offense, Baylor’s defense will certainly be a challenge. The Bears have had one of the best defenses in the country this season. While they give up about 210 passing yards per game, they’ve only give up 0.8 passing touchdowns per game this season. The Bears also allow only 19 points per game.
This matchup will put a great defense up against an elite offense. The key to this game will be if Baylor quarterback Charlie Brewer can keep up with Hurts. Brewer has had a good season, throwing for over 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns so far. Part of Brewer being able to keep up with Hurts will rely on the Baylor defense, as it will need to slow down Hurts so Brewer has the opportunity to match his output. Despite a poor showing last week against TCU, Baylor’s offense was able to pick up the pace in overtime, which could give the Bears momentum to carry into this week.
While good defense usually prevails, Baylor has not gone up against an offense like Oklahoma’s. There might not be a defense in the country that can slow down the Sooners. However, Baylor is having a magical season, and a home game at night following a visit from College GameDay could be just what it takes to take down Oklahoma. If Minnesota showed us anything last week, it is to not count out the underdog. Matt Rhule has turned this program around faster than anyone expected and will have his team ready for Baylor’s biggest game in five years.
Prediction: Baylor 37, Oklahoma 34
Zech Lambert is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email zbl5146@psu.edu.
