Inside Texas Roundtable: Baylor

Inside Texas makes predictions, offers players to watch, and provides more insight ahead of the Texas-Baylor matchup on Friday from DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.

[Get a FREE 7-day trial of Inside Texas Plus!]

Texas finishes the 2022 regular season hosting Baylor on Friday. What do the Horns need to do to finish it strong?

Eric Nahlin – The tried and true recipe of run game and good defense. UT’s defense might be the difference in this one.

Justin Wells – Bring the gameplan and mindset from the Kansas game. Heavy doses of Bijan Robinson, physicality for four quarters, and attacking BU’s offensive weakness of Blake Shapen.

Ian Boyd – Quinn Ewers has struggled to hit some throws this year but Blake Shapen has had some issues as well and thrown a number of interceptions this season. Texas needs to win the exchange this Friday.

Joe Cook – Run the dang ball, but also have a plan for Siaki Ika while doing so. Big No. 62 can cause a lot of problems in the middle, so either successfully blocking him or avoiding him altogether might be the right course of action. On defense, it’s to make Blake Shapen’s life miserable. Don’t try to close throwing windows in the secondary, rather close throwing windows in the backfield.

Paul Wadlington – I expect Texas to match Baylor’s physicality. The key is for Ewers to throw capably within the construct of a run first offense and for the Texas defense to get in Blake Shapen’s head after getting Baylor’s scatbacks on the ground. 

Gerry Hamilton – Clean game in less than optimal weather conditions. On offense, no INT’s deep in your own territory and no lost fumbles deep in Baylor territory. Win the momentum game on offense. Defensively, staying away from drive changing penalties. Same with special teams attempting to block punts. 

Bobby Burton – Another strong defensive outing, combined with an economical offense is what needs to happen. If that’s what Texas gets, it’s the blueprint for the final revenge win of the season.

Baylor’s OL is a tough matchup for UT’s defensive front. Who wins the battle in the trenches?

Eric Nahlin – Texas is big and athletic with support defenders serving as reliable backstops.

Justin Wells – Baylor used its offensive line and run game to control the game last season. I think the script flips in Austin. The Longhorn defensive front has been a strength all season and wants to finish the on a high note. Alfred Collins has flashed in the last few games as well.

Ian Boyd – Baylor probably needs to win the trenches with their O-line in a bigger way than is likely so I think Texas comes out ahead. The Bears had some tough sledding initially a year ago when Texas was much weaker at Edge and linebacker.

Joe Cook – I think considering what we’ve seen Keondre Coburn and company do all year, Texas is the right pick.

Paul Wadlington –  Defensively, the Texas DL will match up just fine against Baylor’s experienced offensive line. Texas safeties and linebackers can’t get caught up in trash and must fit the cutback lanes.

Gerry Hamilton – Well, if Texas loses in the trenches on defense, the Horns very likely lose the game. Texas better win it. 

Bobby Burton – Baylor bludgeoned Texas in the run game a year ago. I don’t think that happens again this year. Texas is a stronger, smarter defensive unit this season, and I don’t think Baylor’s offense is quite as consistent either.

Which Texas defensive player needs a big game on Friday?

Eric Nahlin –  Jaylan Ford. Stop the Baylor run game and Texas should be able to pull it out.

Justin Wells – Jaylan Ford. The Texas inside linebacker can cement his Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year nod with another strong performance on Saturday, especially if he tracks and smacks Richard Reese.

Ian Boyd – One of many differences from a year ago is how Texas plays their safeties. Jerrin Thompson has a chance to obliterate the Bears offense by sitting on crossers and limiting their run game.

Joe Cook – Barryn Sorrell needs to keep his hot streak going, though the Longhorn safeties do need to fill on Baylor’s wide zone runs.

Paul Wadlington – Stopping outside zone/play action is a team effort, but Jaylan Ford and DMO will have a big burden to make the tackle when they’re the unblocked second level defender. 

Gerry Hamilton – Jahdae Barron. He’s been making plays in the run game, and needs to provide a big play in the passing game. He’s been the best playmaker in the secondary this season. Texas needs another one of his A games Friday.

Bobby Burton – Really, it’s the defensive ends. They can’t let Baylor get the best of them outside. If so, it’ll be a long day.

Steve Sarkisian is 12-11 at Texas. First eleven games (4-7), last twelve games (8-4). Does this upward trajectory continue in 2023?

Eric Nahlin – Of course but next season depends on growth at QB.

Justin Wells – It certainly should, and a win over Baylor would definitely help solidify the 2023 cycle and provide a glimpse of what could be a really good Texas team in 2023.

Ian Boyd – It’d be pretty shocking and disappointing if it didn’t. Texas figures to be loaded with NFL talent playing in contract seasons in 2023.

Joe Cook – I think so. No matter what, Texas can sell improvement over year one. How much improvement they’re selling, however, will hinge on this game. Also, looking way ahead, the 2023 NFL draft should be kind to the Longhorns and help Texas avoid the mid-summer recruiting lull of recent years.

Paul Wadlington – Sure. Texas has to demonstrate a strong offseason portal plan for the defense and have a terrific offseason of development in S&C and at the positional coaching level across the board. The OL next year could be special. 

Gerry Hamilton – Friday is a must-win game. Texas needs to finish 8-4 to maximize the season. Should Texas finish 8-4, will they be better than that in 2023? They should be, but that could be dependent on how well the staff fills impact needs in the portal. 

Bobby Burton – Absolutely. I don’t know exactly how good they will be though. A lot of it will come down to their success in the portal. If the Horns can find 4-5 legit starters this off-season, they are going to be significantly better overall.

Texas-Baylor outcome/prediction:

Eric Nahlin – 31-21, Texas

Justin Wells – Baylor 24, Texas 21.

Ian Boyd – Dave Aranda knows how to handle Texas but I don’t think his players are up for it. Texas wins 31-27.

Joe Cook – Texas 27, Baylor 20.

Paul Wadlington – Texas- 27, Baylor- 21. Aranda should have a good plan for Texas. Texas needs a good enough plan to make it about the players on the field. 

Gerry Hamilton – Texas 30, Baylor 23.

Bobby Burton –  Texas 14, Baylor 10