The Baylor Bears lost their solo lead in the Big 12 following a crucial loss to the Oklahoma Sooners over the weekend. They will look to get back on track when they face the Texas Longhorns at home. The Longhorns are also coming off a loss, and their matchup against the Bears will be their last against a ranked opponent.
Betting on the Texas Longhorns (6-4 Overall / 4-3 Conference)
Saturday brought another gut-punch of a loss for the Longhorns, as Sam Ehlinger and company went down at the hands of the Iowa State Cyclones in Ames, 23-21. The Longhorns did show up with impressive resiliency, though, as they battled back from a 13-point deficit to take the lead before Iowa State kicker Connor Assalley put through the sticks the game-winning field goal from 36 yards out. Ehlinger delivered late for the team, but finished with still an overall admirable performance, collecting 273 passing yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions on 22-of-40 completions. The loss was largely a product of an anemic offense in the first half, but it’s not something that the Longhorns should not be able to figure out in a week before taking on the Bears. Ehlinger remains money in the pocket and the offense is still a threat to anyone so long as he’s the quarterback.
The Longhorns, who entered Week 12 averaging 37.8 points per game, are 3-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last four meetings with Baylor.
Betting on the Baylor Bears (9-1 Overall / 6-1 Conference)
The Bears tasted their first defeat of the season last Saturday, as they fell prey to the Oklahoma Sooners, 34-31. It was a tough loss to swallow for Baylor, especially when considering the fact that they were leading 31-10, at the half. But Sooners quarterback Jalen Hurts showed why he’s among the contenders for the Heisman Trophy, by leading Oklahoma to an improbable come-from-behind victory which saw his team outscore Baylor 24-0 in the final two quarters. Perhaps Baylor just got too comfortable with their large lead and didn’t fully realize how resilient Hurts and company can be when their backs are pushed against the wall. In any case, it should be a lesson learned by Baylor, who began Week 12 ranked 18th in the nation with just 19.2 points allowed per contest. Charlie Brewer finished with 194 passing yards and a touchdown to go with 65 rushing yards and a pair of scores on the ground. He was sacked four times by the Sooners, but he’s likely to deal with lesser pressure next Saturday against the Longhorns, who don’t boast an imposing pass rush.
The Bears are 3-1 ATS in their last four games overall.
