No. 9 TCU @ No. 5 Baylor (-10) TV: ABC 3:30pm Saturday
Daniel: I doubted TCU last week against Oklahoma and the Horned Frogs proved me wrong. Now their next challenge is to go on the road to a talented Baylor team and prove that their new top-10 ranking is justified. Baylor hasn’t been tested beyond an underwhelming Texas team this year. But we all know what Bryce Petty can do. He looks as good as ever with 13 touchdowns to just two interceptions. One scary stat for Baylor in a potential one-possession game? The Bears have hit just 1-of-6 field goals this season. As long as it doesn’t come down to that, I like Baylor’s chances. Winner: Baylor 34-30
Houston: TCU had one of the most impressive wins of the season last week in beating Oklahoma, but Baylor is a different animal. TCU has an incredibly stout defense, but I don’t think they are built to stop the type of attack that the Bears will show them. Bryce Petty has weapons galore at receiver and the Baylor defense is good enough to make sure TCU doesn’t hang around in this one. The home team gets the win and Petty has another huge day in this one. Winner: Bears 37-20
Reed: Well, I definitely didn’t see TCU beating up on Oklahoma last week. They’re in for another tough task this week on the road against Baylor. The Bears lead the Big 12 in total offense and total defense, but TCU is right behind them in both categories. I think the line is way to high in this one. Baylor hasn’t been tested this season, but we know their offense is for real after what former Vol commit Bryce Petty and Co. were able to accomplish last season. I like the Bears at home in a close one. Winner: Baylor 34-28
Kyle: This marks the first time we get to see Baylor play worthy competition. Texas is the best opponent the Bears have seen thus far, and the Longhorns shut down Art Briles’ high-flying offense for a half. Credit to Texas, Charlie Strong and Vance Bedford are two of the sharper defensive minds in college football, but overall that game doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence in me for BU. Conversely, TCU’s shootout with Oklahoma has me bullish on the Horned Frogs.
Gary Patterson-led teams are typically stout defensively, and this year’s bunch is no exception. But where TCU has turned a corner is that it’s now fully committed to Trevone Boykin as quarterback. The scheme is tailored to his strengths and the Frogs are putting up points as a result.
TCU has the weapons to hang with Baylor in a shootout, and Patterson’s defense can string together enough stops of Bryce Petty and the Bears to steal a road win. Add that one to the ledger, and you’re looking at the new Big 12 front-runner. Winner: TCU 45-38
