Associated Press
Baylor, A&M meet for ‘Battle;’ Longhorns hope to rebound
By Krista Pirtle
Sports Writer
Battle of the Brazos
If the rivalry wasn’t heated enough, throw in the conference realignment fiasco that took place in September.
Kyle field threatens a hostile environment for Baylor, but the Bears are ready for the Aggies.
Last year in Waco, Baylor led at the half, but the Aggies’ defense blanked the Bear offense in the second half, pulling away with a win.
This match up will definitely be offensive; the defenses will be the key factors.
Texas A&M’s zone and Baylor’s new technique will add an interesting twist to this go hard or go home battle in College Station.
20 Baylor (4-1)
After a first half plagued with unfinished drives and two fumbles, Baylor put it together and defeated Iowa State 49-26.
The Cyclone secondary’s main focus was to shut down the Bear pass game but left the middle wide open in return, leaving senior running back Terrance Ganaway plenty of room to rack up 200 yards and three touchdowns.
This week that rush game will most likely be shut down by the Aggie defensive front that has not allowed over 150 rush yards this season.
However, its zone defense offers plenty of room for slant routes by receivers and the occasional post route.
21 Texas A&M (3-2)
The Aggies were almost upset again in the second half, but they held off the resilient Texas Tech Red Raiders 45-40. That game, Texas A&M sought to mix up its offensive scheme, favoring the run game over the pass.
Offensively, A&M only acquired 393 offensive yards on the evening while allowing 523.
If Texas A&M thought Oklahoma State’s quarterback Brandon Weeden gave it problems, it isn’t ready for the explosiveness of Baylor’s Robert Griffin III.
The Aggie zone must strengthen its coverage to handle the Bears’ hurry up offense.
Texas A&M might want to play all four quarters in this game, not just the first two.
Kansas State (5-0)
Kansas State is off to its best start in 11 years, remaining undefeated this past week by holding off Missouri 24-17.
The Wildcats’ defense is improving, as it held the Tigers to 326 offensive yards.
Junior quarterback Collin Klein was the only Kansas State player to score a touchdown with three on the ground.
His arm still lacks much threat as he only threw for 126 yards and an interception.
His leading receiver was junior Chris Harper with 37 yards.
Saturday, the Wildcats must strengthen their passing threat and look to defend the Red Raiders’.
Texas Tech (4-1)
After an upsetting 45-40 loss to Texas A&M, the Red Raiders are craving the sweet taste of victory.
Unfortunately, junior running back Eric Stephens, who led Tech with 102 rush yards and a touchdown, dislocated his left knee and will be out the rest of the season.
With the promising arm of junior quarterback Seth Doege, passing has become more of a threat, but now the Tech run game could easily be scoffed at.
Tech has won the last five matchups against Kansas State.
By stopping the Wildcats’ run game and creating one of its own, the Red Raiders could hand Kansas State its first loss of the season.
Iowa State (3-2)
The Cyclones are still searching for their first conference win.
Last weekend, Baylor’s mistakes were the only things keeping them in the game the first half.
After that, Iowa State’s defensive line was dominated, resulting in a 26-19 loss.
The Cyclones succeeded in shutting down the Baylor pass game, but allowed 395 rush yards.
To beat Missouri, Iowa State must solidify its defense while cooperating offensively under the direction of quarterback Steele Jantz.
Missouri (2-3)
The Tigers are on the prowl for their first conference win after losing a close one in Manhattan to Kansas State 24-17.
Not one running back or receiver truly rose to the challenge as they all failed to reach the 100-yard mark.
However, sophomore quarterback James Franklin is getting comfortable in the pocket, throwing for 214 yards last Saturday.
To be successful against Iowa State, Missouri must stop quarterback Steele Jantz.
Offensively, the Tigers have great potential; they just need to step it up.
Franklin must establish a pass threat to spread the Cyclone defense then hand it off to a running back to attack the middle.
Kansas (2-3)
It’s right about now that Jayhawk fans are ready for basketball season.
Last weekend, the Oklahoma State Cowboys stampeded over Kansas 70-28.
Its defense adjusted to not allowing an extreme amount of rush yards like it did against Georgia Tech, but it seemed like the Jayhawks forgot about OSU quarterback Brandon Weeden.
Kansas sophomore quarterback Jordan Webb made use of his arm with 316 yards and two touchdowns.
However, four turnovers consisting of a pair of fumbles and interceptions each only added to the OSU advantage.
Saturday, the competition heightens against Oklahoma.
The Jayhawks can depend on its basketball team to get revenge in the winter.
3 Oklahoma (5-0)
The Sooners remain undefeated after slaughtering the Longhorns 55-17.
Junior quarterback Landry Jones continued to impress with 367 yards and three touchdowns.
His favored target, senior wide receiver Ryan Broyles, caught for 122 yards and a trip to the end zone.
Since head coach Bob Stoops has been there, Oklahoma is 12-0 in games immediately following the Red River Rivalry.
Plus, Kansas has the worst defense in the nation.
Since the Missouri scare earlier this season, the Sooners are sure not to overlook this competition.
This game will allow the bench to be cleared for Oklahoma and the starters to get a well-deserved break.
Oklahoma needs to have better blocking on offense and coverage on defense.
Against Kansas, these things will assuredly be worked on.
22 Texas (4-1)
If you look at Bevo now, you might see the OU logo branded on him.
Why? Well, the 55-17 defeat last weekend to the Sooners should explain.
The duo of quarterbacks, sophomore Case McCoy and freshman David Ash, could not seem to catch a break as McCoy had a fumble and Ash threw two interceptions.
The offense only recorded 259 yards on the afternoon while allowing 453 by Oklahoma.
If the Texas defense could not control the pair of Sooners Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon will prove difficult.
But Longhorn fans can rest assured that the whole nation will not watch a disaster unfold; just those subscribed to the Longhorn Network.
6 Oklahoma State (5-0)
The Cowboys dominated Kansas with a 70-28 victory last weekend.
Senior quarterback Brandon Weeden recorded 288 yards with five touchdowns.
The duo of wide receivers, senior Hubert Anyiam and junior Justin Blackmon, recorded a pair of touchdowns with 85 and 84 yards respectively.
However, the question arises as to how Kansas scored 28 points.
The Cowboys play Texas next. If Oklahoma State is not careful, the Austin crowd can propel the pair of young Texas quarterbacks to make big plays.
Post routes will be most successful for the Cowboys. If OSU maintains its coverage, herding the Longhorns should be no problem.
