Baylor Bears
Big 12
A shocking season opening win against TCU set the stage for an impressive Baylor team to jump onto the national scene. Led by quarterback Robert Griffin III, Baylor was able to liven the football scene in Waco, Texas. Bears fans stormed the field at Floyd Casey Stadium twice this season, once against TCU and again against Oklahoma. If RG3 comes back for another year, the Bears could be extremely dangerous again next season.
2011 Record: 9-3, 6-3
Last Bowl Appearance: 2010 Texas Bowl vs. Illinois (L 14-38)
Big Wins: 9/2 vs. TCU (50-48), 11/19 vs. Oklahoma (45-38)
Bad Losses: 10/1 at Kansas State (35-36), 10/15 at Texas A&M (55-28)
Coach: Art Briles (24-25 at Baylor, 58-53 overall)
Bowl Record: 0-1 at Baylor, 0-4 overall
Offensive Coordinator: Randy Clements and Philip Montgomery
Defensive Coordinator: Phil Bennett
Strengths:
Baylor’s strength lies in their ability to throw the ball. Junior Quarterback Robert Griffin III is the second most efficient quarterbacks in the nation in terms of passing, and Baylor isn’t conservative with their play calling. RG3 has thrown for nearly 4,000 yards and 36 touchdowns to only six interceptions. Griffin’s arm is very dangerous, but that is only bolstered by his freakish athletic ability. Being a former Baylor track star, Griffin knows how to make plays with his legs and is difficult to bring down. Baylor currently has ten wide receivers averaging over ten yards per catch. They are lead by senior Kendall Wright. Wright has tallied over 1,400 yards and 12 touchdowns. Right behind him is junior Terrance Williams, who has ten touchdowns and over 800 yards. The rushing attack is headed by senior Terrance Ganaway. He is averaging nearly six yards per carry and has 14 touchdowns on the year.
Weaknesses:
There are a few elements to Baylor’s game that scare me. The first thing is their turnover margin. Despite Robert Griffin’s low number of interceptions, the Bears still turn the ball over by fumbling. The next area of concern is their defense. The Bears are 8th in the Big XII in total defense and scoring defense. They have a lot of problems stopping the run this season, but this hasn’t been fully exploited because teams usually throw when they are playing from behind. The Bears are also 6th in the Big XII in sacks per game with about 1.5. This means that the Baylor defensive line doesn’t put pressure on the quarterback or stop the run, which begs the question, “What are they good at?” This is a question that Art Briles will have to address. The final flaw in Baylor’s game is Aaron Jones, the kicker. Jones has missed three extra points this season and has only made nine of 16 field goals. He is two of three from the 20 yard range and two of six from the 40 yard range.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Terrance Ganaway, RB, 1,347 yards
Passing: Robert Griffin III, QB, 3,998 yards
Receiving: Kendall Wright, WR, 1,572 yards
Tackles: Sam Holl, S, 102
Sacks: Tracy Robertson, DT, 4.5
Interceptions: K.J. Morton, S, 4
2011 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 217.27 (17th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Passing Offense: 359.45 (5, 3)
Total Offense: 576.73 (2, 1)
Scoring Offense: 43.09 (6, 2)
Rushing Defense: 198.45 (102, 8)
Pass Defense: 271.82 (107, 7)
Total Defense: 470.27 (114, 8)
Scoring Defense: 36.73 (111, 8)
Turnover Margin: -.09 (72, 7)
Sacks: 1.55 (88, 6)
Sacks Allowed: 2.18 (78, 7)
