PonyFans.com preview: Baylor

[PonyPride]

The Mustangs' opponents for this week's game can be looked at in a number of ways:

~ Baylor is a bad team that's reeling after getting clobbered by North Texas, 52-14.

~ Baylor is a team that has been mired in mediocrity in recent years, but now has a successful head coach on the sidelines in Guy Morriss, who has shown an ability to coach in one of the nation's toughest conferences when he guided the Kentucky Wildcats.

~ Baylor's record in recent years is misleading, because while the Bears have lost with great consistency in recent years, the odds are stacked against them, being the smallest (and only private) school in the Big 12. This team is better than its record indicates.

Actually, the truth is probably some sort of combination of the three. The rout Baylor suffered Saturday has left a bitter taste in BU fans' mouths, some of whom have taken to referring to the game (on Baylor fans' websites) as "The Denton Disaster" and calling North Texas a "second-rate" program. In addition, BU lured a proven leader (Morriss) from Lexington to right the ship, and at some point, better performances are expected from the Bears. And while Baylor has been on the bottom of the Big 12's football pecking order since the conference's inception, they certainly have been hardened by playing a schedule that includes the likes of Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas State, Colorado and Texas.

In other words, it's hard to say exactly what kind of team will welcome the Mustangs to Waco Saturday. After dropping a close decision in their home opener two weeks ago against Alabama-Birmingham, the Bears coughed up six first-half turnovers en route to the tattooing they suffered in Denton.

Through two games, Baylor has nearly twice as many passing yards (410) as rushing yards (251), but that statistic is somewhat skewed by the fact that BU had to go to the air a lot when the North Texas game started to get out of hand. Ideally, Morriss (like many coaches) wants a much more balanced attack.

Leading the BU passing game is junior QB Aaron Karras (6-2, 205), who has completed 34-of-57 (59.6 percent) passes through for 343 yards, with three interceptions and three touchdowns. Junior WR John Martin (6-0, 179) is Karras' favorite target through the games with a team-leading nine receptions and 97 receiving yards. FB Jonathan Evans (6-1, 250), senior WR Robert Quiroga (6-3, 200) and redshirt freshman TE Iris Williams (6-4, 229) each have a touchdown reception. The smallish SMU cornerbacks could have their hands full with the Baylor WRs, as starters Martin, Quiroga and Marques Roberts (6-2, 218) all present Karras with big targets.

The running game is paced by senior RB Rashad Armstrong who's four-game streak of 100-yard rushing performances ended Saturday by North Texas.

As always, Baylor's offense operates behind an offensive line that lacks depth, but always features considerable size. The BU starting five averages just over 6-foot-4 per man, and over 300 pounds per man. Left tackle Quintin Outland (6-5, 329) and right guard LaQuaylan McDonald (6-5, 352) are the anchors of the BU line.

Safety Maurice Lane (5-11, 184) leads the Bears with 18 tackles through two games -- a stat that speaks to Lane's talent and the fact that the BU front seven has struggled, against the run and in getting to the passer (BU has mustered just two sacks in its first two games).

Junior DE Khari Long (6-4, 253) anchors the defensive line with 13 tackles. The interior of the line is young and small, where freshmen DTs M.T. Robinson (6-1, 282) and Michael Gary (6-3, 296) are the starters. Senior Dominick Cravens (6-3, 240) starts at the other DE spot.

Baylor's base defense operates out of a 4-2-5 set. The two starting linebackers are Highland Park-ex Stephen Sepulveda (6-2, 233) and Justin Crooks (6-0, 229). The DBs are led by Lane and safety Willie Andrews (5-10, 183). Andrews also is the team's best kickoff returner and punt returner.

The BU defense hasn't been very opportunistic in its first two games, registering just two sacks, one interception and no fumble recoveries.

Those who head to Waco thinking the Bears are completely without talent are mistaken. Through the first two games, Baylor has allowed only three more first downs (39) than it has gained on offense. Many of the points in Saturday's loss at North Texas came off BU turnovers, making the score more lopsided than it otherwise would have been.

Keylon Kincade could have a big day against the Bears, who have allowed 478 rushing yards (5.8 yards per carry) in two games. BU also has allowed seven rushing touchdowns already this year. The Baylor defense also has allowed the team's first two opponents more than 16 yards per reception.

[MeanGreenGem]

...The rout Baylor suffered Saturday has left a bitter taste in BU fans' mouths, some of whom have taken to referring to the game (on Baylor fans' websites) as "The Denton Disaster" and calling North Texas a "second-rate" program. In addition, BU lured a proven
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You know, only time and more wins can change the caste system that exists among Texas colleges and universities, especially in the scheduling of football games with each other.

Both SMU and UNT can each get pretty damn good OOC games without ever playing each other. I do know alums from both our schools will always prefer playing the Longhorns, the Aggies and the Sooners over each other, of course. Yet some of this Texas collegiate caste system of scheduling is almost comical when you think it is grown-ups who are responsible for all this. Indirectly, it is costing us all money in many ways and that is money that we in the non BCS do not have replaced by any semblance of television revenues whatsoever. Screw the BCS!

Last week pre-UNT game, the glaring fact that Baylor alums/fans simply over-looked (or just would not face up to) is that the UAB team who beat them last week in Waco was at best mediocre in the CUSA football race last Fall. As you probabaly know, North Texas beat UAB's conference co-champion in the New Orleans Bowl last December.

Fact is, the ESPN broadcast crew just last week during a telecast was calling Cincy' the true CUSA football champion since they beat TCU in head on competition last Fall. I think both TCU and Cincy' are claiming sole ownership of that crown to be honest. Whatever floats their boats?

Good luck in Waco, SMU! Beat the BCS at their game! The Mean Green Nation will be pulling for yall!

[The PonyGrad]

The Baylor game may be determined by how does not make the most mistakes. Both are prone to errors. Let's keep our heads on straight.

[PonyTales]

Damn good preview, boys!

[Corso]

My thoughts exactly. Good work.