Five Keys to #SicVandy
12/27/2018 5:28:00 PM | Football
Bears Need to Use Home-Field Advantage in Texas Bowl Matchup.
ACADEMY SPORTS + OUTDOORS TEXAS BOWL
BAYLOR vs. VANDERBILT:
FIVE KEYS TO THURSDAY'S GAME
BAYLOR vs. VANDERBILT:
FIVE KEYS TO THURSDAY'S GAME
- MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME: While Baylor is playing its 10th game this season in the Lone Star state and third at an indoor stadium (ninth in five years), Vanderbilt's fifth-year seniors have never played in an indoor venue and are making their first trek to Texas since a 34-0 loss at the University of Houston in 2015. The Bears should have a huge home-field advantage, playing just three hours away from Waco, compared to a 12-hour drive from the Commodores' home in Nashville, Tenn. Baylor is 6-3 in Texas this year and 2-0 indoors, beating UTSA, 37-20, at the Alamodome in San Antonio and Texas Tech, 35-24, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
- TURN AROUND THE TURNOVERS: Vandy's defense has been a bend-but-don't-break style unit this season, creating 21 turnovers and helping the Commodores rank in the top 20 nationally with a plus-eight margin for the season. On the flip side, the Bears are 118th in the nation in turnover margin at minus-nine and have just nine defensive takeaways for the year. In the win over Tech to become bowl eligible, Baylor had two fourth-quarter interceptions to seal the deal. Winning the turnover battle would be huge, but the biggest thing is not beating yourself. "We just haven't turned the ball over," Baylor defensive coordinator Phil Snow said. "You put way too much pressure on our offense to go the length of the field. We've got to get shorter fields."
- NEXT MAN UP: That's been Matt Rhule's philosophy the last two years. When one player goes down, it's the next man up. Playing without leading receiver Jalen Hurd, who had a clean-up knee surgery after the last game, the Bears have to count on other players like Josh Fleeks, Tyquan Thornton and R.J. Sneed to step up. "Fleeks has been waiting his turn," Rhule said. "He's had bits and pieces here and there. But, it's time for those guys to go step up and be starters and really catapult themselves into the future."
- MAKE SHURMUR BEAT YOU: On the verge of breaking all of Jay Cutler's passing records, Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur has thrown for 8,579 career yards and 63 touchdowns. But, the key for the Baylor defense is containing running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn (1,001 yards rushing). The Bears have to limit his explosive plays and hold the SEC Newcomer of the Year to less than 100 yards. "It really falls on the d-line and linebackers to be really in synch to defend this running game," Rhule said. "The thing I respect about them is they are going to stick with the run. They're going to pound you and pound you and try to wear you down. They have a good scheme and a great back and, most importantly, the quarterback always has them in the right play."
- ENJOY THE MOMENT: Whether it was Sunday's Rodeo Bowl or helping kids at the children's museum or practicing every day, Rhule's message to his players this week was "wherever you are, be there." He said the "key to life is always be in the moment." On Thursday night at NRG Stadium, the Bears need to enjoy the moment. Look around, take it all in and have fun. Don't be tight, just stay relaxed and remember that this game is supposed to be fun.
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