Game To Watch: #8 Oklahoma at #13 Baylor: November 13, 2021

Oklahoma will visit Baylor for a key Big 12 match-up on Saturday at 12:00 EST. The Sooners are undefeated and will return to action after a bye last week. The Bears are 7 – 2 overall and 4 – 2 in conference play after a 30 – 28 loss against TCU last week. The Sooners are playing for a spot in the College Football Playoff, while the Bears cannot afford another loss if they want to win the Big 12.

Recent History

Oklahoma has won 28 of the 31 all time match-ups between the two teams. However, all three of Baylor’s wins have come in the last decade. The Bears beat the Sooners in 2011, 2013 and 2014, but Oklahoma has won seven straight since, including two in 2019 as the teams played in the Big 12 Championship.

Top 25 Players

What To Watch For…

Can Caleb Williams Continue to Carry Oklahoma?

Caleb Williams replaced Spencer Rattler in the Texas game and has not looked back. He led the team to a come from behind win over their hated rival and has been very good in his three starts since. Williams has completed 71.6 percent of his passes and is averaging 10.9 yards per pass attempt with 14 touchdowns and 1 interception. He has also been electric with his legs, averaging 9.1 yards per carry and running for four touchdowns. The opposition has not been very strong as Texas, TCU, Kansas and Texas Tech are the four worst scoring defenses in the conference, but Williams has made big plays in all four games. Baylor on the other hand is the third ranked scoring defense in the Big 12 and ranks fourth in yards per pass attempt against and fifth in yards per carry against. Safeties Jalen Pitre and JT Woods team with linebackers Terrell Bernard and Dillon Doyle to make big plays all over the field for an athletic Bears defense. This will be the toughest defense Caleb Williams has faced to date and Oklahoma will need him to be on top of his game.

Can Gerry Bohanon Make Enough Big Plays?

Gerry Bohanon is the catalyst for a Baylor offense that averages 36.3 points per game, which is good for second in the Big 12. He has made big plays with his arm, but is also a threat to do damage with his running ability. Bohanon has shown that he can be an efficient passer, completing 65 percent of his passes and averaging 8.8 yards per attempt with 15 touchdowns against 5 interceptions. The passing ability has opened up the running game for Bohanon and the backs, making Baylor tough to defend. The Sooners’ defense is predicated on playing fast and putting pressure on the quarterback. Oklahoma has a talented defensive front that can be disruptive in the backfield making it difficult for offenses to find a consistent rhythm. If the defensive front is getting pressure and making Bohanon uncomfortable, it will be a tough day for the Baylor offense, otherwise the Sooners will need to score a lot of points to win a shootout.

Can Oklahoma Make a Statement to the Playoff Committee?

Despite being one of four undefeated teams in the country and one of just two in power five conferences, Oklahoma is ranked eighth in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Sooners have been less than impressive in most of their wins this year and are 0 – 4 in the Playoff. Fortunately the meat of Oklahoma’s schedule is still in front of them with games against Baylor, Iowa State and Oklahoma State followed by the Big 12 Championship game. Oklahoma will have an opportunity to pick up some statement wins against good teams down the stretch. That mission starts against a good Baylor team this weekend. The Sooners were disrespected by the committee and should be coming out of the bye with a chip on their shoulder. It would help their Playoff case to not only win this game but win in impressive fashion.

Prediction

Oklahoma has had a bye week to get Caleb Williams more acclimated to the starting role and that should help against Dave Aranda’s defense. The Sooners have been dependent on their star quarterback’s ability to make big plays and Williams has delivered so far. The Oklahoma defense has been inconsistent this year and Baylor will put pressure on the Sooners with their scoring. Oklahoma won’t get a statement win, but they will win the game nonetheless. Oklahoma 35 Baylor 31.

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