Baylor WR Terrance Williams leads the nation in receiving yards per game. (US Presswire) |
Baylor (4-4, 1-4 Big 12) at No. 14 Oklahoma (6-2, 4-1 Big 12)
Kickoff: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (Fox Sports Network)
Spread: Oklahoma by 21
Watchability: If Baylor's offense is clicking, this could be a fun game to watch. If it's not, this could be one of the biggest blowouts of the year in the Big 12. Don't plan on being glued to this one throughout, though.
Shining stars: Baylor -- WR Terrance Williams. The nation's leader in terms of receiving yards per game (167.5), Williams has been essentially unstoppable all season. He had 130 or more receiving yards in all but one of the Bears' eight games thus far this season, had a streak of four games with multiple touchdown receptions and has caught a touchdown pass in six of Baylor's last seven games. Oklahoma -- QB Landry Jones. It took awhile, but Jones finally has looked like one of the Big 12's best quarterbacks in recent weeks. He has thrown for 300 or more yards in each of OU's last four games. Since an early loss to Kansas State, he has thrown 11 touchdown passes and only four interceptions.
Who could steal the show: Baylor -- RB Lache Seastrunk. The former Oregon transfer finally saw extended action last week against Kansas, and he showed what he is capable of, tallying 103 yards on only 17 carries. His longest rush was only 17 yards, meaning he was a consistent success during the game -- he didn't just gain his yards in one big chunk. He also had five receptions for 91 yards. It will be interesting to see how he is used moving forward. Oklahoma -- S Tony Jefferson. The best player on a strong OU defense, Jefferson should have the chance to make several plays. He leads the Sooners in total tackles (68) and is a physical force on the back end of the defense. Baylor QB Nick Florence has thrown 11 interceptions this year, so Jefferson (who has two interceptions this season) could get the chance to pick one off as well.
You going? Ranking the road trip: Once a fortress for the Sooners, Owen Field has not been kind to OU this season. Both of Oklahoma's losses have come at home. But with the Sooners still fighting for a possible Big 12 championship (if they get some help from teams that play Kansas State), the place should still be rocking.
Magic number for Baylor: +8/-11. Look no further for an explanation of Baylor's up-and-down season. The Bears have a turnover margin of +8 in their four wins, but have had a turnover margin of -11 in their four losses. To put it simply, Baylor simply can't turn the ball over and expect to have any chance against OU.
Magic number for Oklahoma: 300. Oklahoma is the only team in the Big 12 that has not allowed a 300-yard passer all season. Texas Tech QB Seth Doege's 203 yards are the most anyone has managed against the Sooners. Can Baylor's Florence, the nation's leader in passing yardage (377.4 per game), do better?
The game comes down to: Can Baylor's offense keep up? The Bears have lost some shootouts (70-63 at West Virginia; 56-50 at Texas) on the road this season, and given their struggling defense, it's tough to imagine this one remaining competitive if Baylor doesn't at least score 40. Even that might not be enough.
Prediction: Oklahoma 52, Baylor 24
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big 12 bloggers C.J. Moore and Patrick Southern, follow @CBSSportsBig12 on Twitter. You can also follow C.J. (@cjmoore4) and Patrick (@patricksouthern).