The Baylor Bears have started the season off slow. With loses in consecutive weeks to Texas State and Utah, they picked up a much needed victory against Long Island.
Starting quarterback Blake Shapen will not play against Texas on Saturday, so that puts Sawyer Robertson behind center again.
Robertson has not played well in his last two starts. He only has 315 yards and a single touchdown against Utah and Long Island with a 42% completion rate. The first way to stop the Bears offense is making Robertson throw the ball.
Texas has the eighth best defensive pass EPA (expected points added) in the country, whereas Baylor has the 110th ranked offensive pass EPA.
Baylor most likely will not be airing the ball out versus Texas, which leaves them with their rushing attack. If Baylor has any chance in this game, it will be on the ground, led by Richard Reese and Dominic Richardson. Reese was the best back last year for Baylor with 14 touchdowns and nearly 1,000 yards with an 85 run grade according to PFF. This year, he has shared the backfield more with Richardson and their stats are very similar.
Though their run game has been the best part of their offense, they will have to deal with a Texas defensive line lead by T’Vondre Sweat. Sweat has an 81.6 run defense grade and is exceptional at stopping the run. Texas has only allowed 96 rushing yards per game.