Inside Texas Roundtable: Keys to the game, historical insight, and predictions ahead of Texas vs. Baylor

For the final time in the foreseeable future, the No. 3 Texas Longhorns head to Waco this Saturday to take on the Baylor Bears.

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The Inside Texas staff offers predictions, looks back at intriguing matchups between the two schools, and provides keys to the game for the Longhorns.

This will be Texas’ second straight game versus a backup QB. What do you want to see the Texas defense do to Sawyer Robertson?

Eric Nahlin – Well, he was 10-for-22 for 113 yards and one touchdown against Long Island. He would have been the worst QB in the game if it wasn’t for the LIU QB’s patented hand grenade throwing motion. Texas should shut him down and turn him over and likely will do so if they can stop the run honestly.

Justin Wells – Confuse the hell out of him. Send different looks and fronts, and don’t let him get any ideas of an upset on the Brazos.

Ian Boyd – Follow his eyes to the ball and secure some game ending interceptions. He has a tendency to stare things down a bit and won’t hold up if forced to repeatedly make tough decisions and throws in order to win the game.

Joe Cook – Make him work on money downs. Dave Aranda is not afraid to roll the dice and go for it, so I think the best course of action for Texas is to rely on skill in the secondary to cover receivers with limited help and make the outside zone game a no-go thanks to quality D-line play and dedicating extra numbers on a semi-regular basis. Make the quarterback who couldn’t beat out Blake Shapen beat you with difficult progression passing because if the run game isn’t there, the play-action won’t be there either. If third and fourth down is a chore for Baylor, it’ll be an easy win for Texas.

Gerry Hamilton – He’s thrown the ball down the field a lot thus far. Texas needs to make him take those shots Saturday but against the corners in coverage.

Paul Wadlington – Take away simple first option reads and prevent him from using his legs to convert 3rd and 5+. Take away Baylor’s running game and the rest should fall into place.

Bobby Burton – Baylor will do its best to protect him. Get him off rhythm.

Quinn Ewers has been up and down this season. Will this be a game where he shines or will Steve Sarkisian lean on the run game versus a middling Baylor defense?

Eric Nahlin – I think it’s a game where the run game and passing game complement each other so I think Ewers plays well.

Justin Wells – Maybe both. I do think Sark will attack the field early, but if the running game can bring it home, no reason to force the vertical threat.

Ian Boyd – I think this is a game Texas could control on the ground but the Baylor secondary and pass defense will be too tempting a target, so I suspect we’ll see a big day from Ewers and the Longhorn passing game.

Joe Cook – Because I’m doubtful Aranda marches out a brand new system different than what he’s run with success for most of his career, I think Ewers and Texas will know the right ways to attack the Bear defense and he’ll post quality numbers. The pass game has been a struggle when the Horns were surprised by Flyover defenses that have been a thorn in Sarkisian’s side. I don’t think that’s what’s going to show up at McLane Stadium on Saturday. Texas will use the talent advantage to run versus Baylor, and the schematic advantage to give Ewers opportunities to convert downfield.

Gerry Hamilton – Just win the game. Do whatever it takes to win the game.

Paul Wadlington – Texas should have run success, but Baylor has some major coverage issues if they roll with their current nickel personnel. Texas has to attack that. I can’t say whether we see Good Quinn. That’s related to the tides, the moon and goose entrails.

Bobby Burton – I think Texas should be hoping for an efficient game from Ewers. We need to see that consistency. We need to see him as a distributor not the focal point.

This is the first time Texas has played at night in Waco since 2003. What will be evidence for you that they can handle yet another tough road environment?

Eric Nahlin – The best way to play well in a tough road environment is to execute early and not shoot yourself in your foot. They did exactly that in Alabama. There’s no excuse to not do it against Baylor.

Justin Wells – After rumbling through Tuscaloosa two weeks ago, I’m not sure there’s a tougher road test than the one Texas has already conquered.

Ian Boyd – Not really worried about it. Baylor had to cover unfilled seats against Utah, how many of the fans at this sold out game will be Longhorns? A focused Texas whipped Bama in Tuscaloosa, if they’re focused then Waco should be a nothing burger.

Joe Cook – The performance in Tuscaloosa. That was Ewers’ proof of concept game. If he can do it in front of 100,000, he can do it in front of 50,000 against a less talented defense.

Gerry Hamilton – Nothing will compare to Alabama. Baylor is sold out. I’m sure it will be fun, but this won’t be an environment where Texas struggles to communicate pre-snap. If they do, it’s a lack of complete focus.

Paul Wadlington – A comfortable win. Also, the Baylor crowd pulling for Texas at the end like the Soviets pulling for Balboa at the end of Rocky IV.

Bobby Burton – Bryant-Denny.

It’s Texas’ last time playing the Bears for the foreseeable future. What game in Waco is most memorable to you?

Eric Nahlin – Probably 2013 because I was almost positive that was the nail for Mack Brown at Texas. I also recall the melee in 2015 which was dumb but somewhat entertaining.

Justin Wells – 2013. By the time Texas-Baylor kicked off, the winner would be the Big 12 Champions. It was so cold, my phone quit. It was so cold, I was questioning my job selection. And it was Mack Brown’s last regular season game at Texas.

Ian Boyd – Probably Charlie Strong‘s improbable win in 2015. DeShon Elliott put up his dukes, Tyrone Swoopes led several strong early drives, and the Bears nearly managed a successful comeback running a Wildcat offense for which the Longhorns had zero answers. It was a wild and crazy win. Second place would be “Derp on ice” where Texas lost their chance at a Big 12 Championship in 2013 starting Case McCoy at quarterback in an “ice fog.”

Joe Cook – It’s 2015 and it’s the day of the last game during my time as a student. 8:00 a.m.: Wake up and gather three others to drive to Waco. I draw the designated driver short straw. As a result, a friend’s breakfast consists of one lemonade Four Loko and some Sour Patch gummy worms. 10:30 a.m.: Park at friend in Waco’s house. Four Loko friend is already very intoxicated. 11:00 a.m.: Kickoff, make it to the stadium. After 11:00 a.m.: Chris Johnson is hurt. Lynx Hawthorn plays quarterback. After 12:00 p.m.: Fight occurs on the field. DeShon Elliott shadowboxes. No flags are thrown when 200 people from both benches spill onto the field. 1 p.m.: Friend who consumed lemonade Four Loko takes a nap in the stands. 2:30 p.m.: Texas wins, leaving Art Briles without a win over Texas in McLane Stadium. 3:30 p.m.: Depart Waco with an already-hungover friend. 5:15 p.m.: Put on tuxedo for a Christmas formal.

Gerry Hamilton – Ramonce Taylor scoring on what felt like every touch in 2005. He didn’t obviously, but that was 102 rushing and 43 receiving with four TDs in a 62-0 woodshed beating. Texas produced 645 yards to 201 for the Bears.

Paul Wadlington – I’ve been to a few, most of them Texas wins. Unfortunately, the most memorable was in 1992, Grant Teaff’s last game as a head coach. The referees actively intervened in the game on Baylor’s behalf for four quarters of play and got him the 21-20 win. Featured some of the craziest “the fix is in” behaviors I’ve ever seen.

Bobby Burton – Grant Teaff’s last game at Baylor. Complete screw job.

Score prediction

Eric Nahlin – 37-13, Texas

Justin Wells – 45-17, Texas

Ian Boyd – 34-13, Texas

Joe Cook – 38-17, Texas

Gerry Hamilton – 37-13, Texas

Paul Wadlington – 31-16, Texas

Bobby Burton – 30-14, Texas