Texas and Baylor give us pizzazz in Waco on a day the Big 12 kicks off with three of its newest members Cincinnati, Brigham Young University and Central Florida in action, playing Oklahoma, Kansas and Kansas State, respectively.
Texas Tech also visits West Virginia, and Oklahoma State is at Iowa State, but none of those teams or games bring to McLane Stadium in Waco tonight at 6:30 the questions and intrigue Texas and Baylor will offer a rowdy gathering plus an ABC television audience as it tunes in to watch the Bears and ‘Horns renew a rivalry for the 142nd time. It could and possibly will be the final episode with Texas and OU migrating to the SEC next season.
In non-conference play, TCU hosts ACC-bound SMU, playing for the Iron Skillet this morning in Fort Worth, while Houston, the other Big 12 newbie, entertains Sam Houston tonight.
Da Bears are the business for coach Sark and the Longhorns, at least for today.
Texas brings its 3-0 record and a lofty No. 3-ranking in this week’s Associated Press poll against 1-2 Baylor, which got into the win column for the first and only time this season last Saturday against LIU, yes, that’s Long Island University.
Sure, with home wins over Rice and Wyoming, sandwiched around a statement 34-24 victory on the road against Alabama, the Longhorns are eyeing their first 4-0 start since 2012.
Sark is emphasizing everybody being 0-0, including and especially his Longhorns, starting conference play on the road against the underdog Bears. True enough.
A win by the Bears would make Baylor’s season and give all the Texas football haters something to legitimize their snarkiness on the social media platforms.
This rivalry is one Texas has dominated 78-28 over the years, but they’ve split the last four meetings with the Bears, while Sarkisian and Baylor coach Dave Aranda are 1-1 against each other with the Bears winning in 2021 in Waco, and the Longhorns returning the favor a year ago in Austin.
The last time these two squared off at night in Waco was 1997 with Baylor winning 23-21.
Yeah, Baylor’s start has been a bit rocky as has the play of redshirt sophomore transfer Sawyer Robertson, at quarterback for injured Blake Shapen (MCL). Robertson’s young, but overall Baylor has a veteran team that shouldn’t be overlooked. They could contend for a Big 12 crown by using this win as a springboard to success.
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers didn’t wow some with his passing game against Wyoming, but he’s been more than efficient.
As fans, we shouldn’t forget either team’s defense. Baylor’s has picked it up recently against No. 11 Utah and LIU, and Texas has played well enough thus far.
Plenty of questions, and, if you don’t like the game or today’s Big 12 menu, just change the channel.
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