Baylor Bears
Big 12
Well, so much for life without RG3 in Waco. All Baylor has done since Griffin’s exit from college football is stay active on the main stage. Baylor snatched the Big 12 championship with its win over Texas and Oklahoma’s upset of Oklahoma State. Baylor went 7-0 at home this year, including its 30-10 win over Texas the last day of the season. Baylor gets a shot to establish itself as a presence for next fall when it takes on Central Florida in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Day. Are the Bears for real or just pretenders? Everything points to the former. Baylor has been a fantastic squad to watch since Griffin’s exit, as evidenced by its 19-6 overall record.
2013 Record: 11-1, 8-1
Coach: Art Briles
Coach Bowl Record: 2-4
Big Wins: 11/7 Oklahoma (41-12), 12/7 Texas (30-10)
Bad Losses: 11/23 at Oklahoma State (17-49)
Strengths:
With 265.2 rushing yards and 624.5 total yards of offense per game, Baylor was the top team in the Big 12 and the top team in the entire nation in terms of passing. It also put up a nation-best 53.3 points per game and averaged 359.3 yards of passing per game, which ranked a respective first and fifth in the nation. Part of this is attributable to the passing of quarterback Bryce Petty (3,844 yards and 30 touchdowns this season) and the rushing attack led by Lache Seastrunk (1,060 yards and 11 TDs), Shock Linwood (862 yards, eight scores) and Glasco Martin (490 yards, six TDs). Petty is also a mobile quarterback, having rushed for 11 scores and 192 yards. There is no doubt Baylor possesses one of the most explosive offenses in the country, and receiver Antwan Goodley (1,319 yards, 13 touchdowns) leads the list. This is an offensive attack that fires on all cylinders and should be a formidable foe against a Central Florida defense that may not be able to keep up with Baylor’s relentless scoring. Baylor’s defense also has been quite strong, with five interceptions returned for touchdowns and 54 passes defensed.
Weaknesses:
Watch out for other teams and their ability to score on the Bears. While Baylor has put up close to or over 70 points per game in five of the 12 contests played this season, it has allowed 42 points against West Virginia, 25 points against Kansas State, 34 against Texas Tech and 38 against TCU. With its offense scoring points in bunches, Baylor should be able to withstand Central Florida’s offensive attack. Still, if Baylor gives up points in bunches and cannot score as much, the Bears could be in for a long day.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Lache Seastrunk, RB, 1,060 yards
Passing: Bryce Petty, QB, 3,844 yards
Receiving: Antwan Goodley, WR, 1,319 yards
Tackles: Eddie Lackey, LB, 97
Sacks: Chris McAllister, DE, 6.0
Interceptions: K.J. Morton, CB, 3
2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 269.2 (11th in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 365.9 (4, 2)
Total Offense: 635.1 (1, 1)
Scoring Offense: 55.4 (1, 1)
Rushing Defense: 133.8 (26, 4)
Pass Defense: 221.7 (48, 3)
Total Defense: 355.5 (29, 2)
Scoring Defense: 22.2 (27, 3)
Turnover Margin: 0.8 (15, 2)
Sacks: 2.82 (21, 2)
Sacks Allowed: 1.64 (40, 4)
Recent Bowl Appearances:
2012 Holiday Bowl UCLA (49-26)
2011 Alamo Bowl Washington (67-56)
2010 Texas Bowl Illinois (14-38)
1994 Alamo Bowl Washington State (3-10)
1992 John Hancock Bowl Arizona (20-15)
1991 Copper Bowl Indiana (0-24)
*all team stats through 11/30
