Baylor and No. 3 Texas have been facing each other as conference rivals since 1916 when they were both part of the Southwest Conference. This rivalry continued when they joined the Big 12, but their upcoming matchup on Saturday will be their last as conference opponents.
Both Baylor and Texas will be starting their Big 12 play with this game, marking the end of a series that dates back to 1901. Baylor has had a rough start to the season, while Texas is off to a strong 3-0 start for the first time since 2012. The Longhorns are currently ranked No. 3 in the AP and Coaches Poll, their highest ranking since the 2009 BCS Championship Game when they were ranked No. 2.
The game between Texas and Baylor will take place on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at McLane Stadium in Waco. Baylor currently has a record of 1-2 (0-0 Big 12), while Texas has a record of 3-0 (0-0 Big 12).
In their last meeting on November 25, 2022, No. 23 Texas defeated Baylor with a score of 38-27 at Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin.
The game will be televised on ABC.
In terms of what’s at stake, Baylor has more to gain from this game than Texas. Texas is in a position to not only contend for the Big 12 title but also make a run at the College Football Playoff. On the other hand, Baylor has the opportunity to face a top-three team at home, which could spark a turnaround for their season. A win for Baylor would provide them with momentum, while a loss for Texas would significantly hurt their chances of making it to the CFP.
When Baylor has the ball, their starting quarterback Blake Shapen will be out with an MCL sprain. The offense will continue to rely on Sawyer Robertson in Shapen’s absence. Additionally, running back Dominic Richardson is doubtful for the game due to a high ankle sprain. Baylor’s offense will face a tough challenge against Texas, as their defense currently ranks No. 1 in the nation in defensive success rate.
On the other side, when Texas has the ball, their offense has been playing mistake-free football and has been efficient in scoring points. They have several playmakers in their wide receiver corps, including Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, Jordan Whittington, and Ja’Tavion Sanders. Texas’ quarterback Quinn Ewers has been playing well and has not thrown an interception in 205 consecutive passes. Texas will likely look to get Jonathan Brooks involved in the running game, while also taking shots downfield to their talented wide receivers.
In terms of the prediction for the game, Baylor has been inconsistent this season, playing poorly against Texas State but showing promise against Utah. They will benefit from the home-field advantage, which should keep the game competitive. However, Texas, coming off a victory against No. 3 Alabama, has shown resilience in tough environments. They are expected to pull away late in the game, similar to their performance against Wyoming. The predicted score is Texas 24, Baylor 13.
For more Baylor coverage, you can visit The Dallas Morning News website. Additionally, The Dallas Morning News provides coverage of college sports as well.