Five Keys to #SicTech
11/23/2018 3:20:00 PM | Football
Bears Need to Handle the Hype, Keep Cool Against Tech
BAYLOR vs. TEXAS TECH:
FIVE KEYS TO SATURDAY'S GAME
FIVE KEYS TO SATURDAY'S GAME
- DON'T SWEAT IT: No different than last week, the Bears can't be consumed with becoming bowl-eligible. Yes, there's a lot on the line for both teams. At 5-6 coming into Saturday's game, the Baylor-Tech winner is automatically bowl-qualified, while the loser will likely put the gear up and start thinking about off-season workouts and 2019. But, you can't play with that in your mind. "I want these guys to recognize that it's just another game," head coach Matt Rhule said. "We just need to go play football and see if we can come out on the winning side and go play in a bowl game."
- DON'T BEAT YOURSELF: That's exactly what Baylor did last week in a 16-9 loss to TCU in the home finale at McLane Stadium. Three turnovers and nine penalties were simply too much to overcome, with the Frogs capitalizing with nine points on two fumbles. "It didn't hit me that the game was over until we were with the band, and I looked up at the scoreboard and was like, 'Dang, we only scored nine points,''' sophomore running back Trestan Ebner said. "That's not good enough."
- KEEP THE MO: Already leading 6-3, Baylor had a chance to grab the early momentum in last Saturday's game against TCU when BJ Thompson blocked a punt to give the Bears the ball at the Frogs' 31. A couple QB runs by Charlie Brewer set up a first-and-goal at the 6-yard line, but defensive tackle Corey Bethley recovered a Brewer fumble on the first play of the second quarter. Against a Tech team that averages 38.5 points and nearly 500 yards total offense per game, the Bears can't afford to let momentum slip away when they grab it.
- PROTECT THE QB: Brewer was sacked five times and got hit a lot more than that last week. Facing a Tech defense that blitzes and changes things up, very similar to TCU, Baylor has to communicate up front and make sure everyone is blocked. It's also on Brewer and his receivers to recognize the blitzes and go with hot routes. There has to be more of a sense of urgency to get the ball out in a hurry and not try to hold on to it and wait for something to open.
- LIMIT THE EXPLOSIVES: Recognizing that this a Tech offense that averages better than 14 yards per catch, Baylor's defense has to limit the Red Raiders' explosive plays. That's what burned the Bears last week, giving up a 65-yard touchdown catch and a 37-yard run, both by Jalen Reagor. Even with the uncertainty at quarterback – it could be Alan Bowman, Jett Duffey, McLane Carter or even freshman walk-on Colt Garrett – Baylor's secondary still has to deal with big-play receivers Antoine Wesley and T.J. Vasher. That duo has combined for 16 touchdowns and just over 2,000 yards. Cornerbacks Derrek Thomas, Harrison Hand and Raleigh Texada will have their hands full.
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