Oklahoma State vs. Baylor Battle for Top Spot in the Big 12
The Baylor Bears currently sit as the highest ranked team in the Big 12 conference as 16th in the AP Poll. The Oklahoma State Cowboys are 2-1 after a 45-38 win against the Pittsburgh Panthers last week. However, the Cowboys are one botched call away from being undefeated. This will be the prime time game in the Big 12 on Saturday, with a 7:30 central time kick-off. Let’s look at both teams up to this point when Oklahoma State and Baylor battle for top spot in the Big 12 on Saturday.
Oklahoma State Through First Three Weeks
The Cowboys head into week three with disappointing results so far. They started off the season with a 61-7 victory against Southeastern Louisiana out of the FCS. The following week brought about one of the craziest plays of the season so far. Central Michigan walked out of Stillwater with a 30-27 win on a hook-n-ladder on a final play that should never have happened. Lastly, the Cowboys got a 45-38 victory against Pitt in week three. Quarterback Mason Rudolph (540 yards passing) and wide receiver James Washington (296 yards receiving) both had record setting performances.
Baylor Through First Three Weeks
The Bears head into week three with mixed results so far this season. They started off fast with a 55-7 victory against Northwestern State out of the FCS. They followed that up with a 40-13 win against SMU. Last week they got off to a slow start but ended up beating Rice 38-10. However, Baylor is 0-3 against the spread this season. The Bears have been one of the more underwhelming teams inside the top 16 rankings right now. Quarterback Seth Russell has put up good numbers so far with 761 yards passing and nine touchdowns. Wide receiver K.D. Cannon has also added some inpressive numbers with 352 yards and four touchdowns receiving. Baylor currently has three running backs with more than 200 yards rushing.
Team Comparison
Oklahoma State and Baylor both are averaging 44.3 points per game, good for being tied for 19th in the country. Both teams have high powered offenses that can put up points very quickly. However, Baylor has had the more impressive running game, while Oklahoma State has put up better numbers in the passing game. The Cowboys are averaging only 98 yards per game rushing, compared to 360 yards passing. Baylor only has 275 yards per game passing, compared to 282 yards per game rushing.
It’s hard to compare both teams’ body of work to this point. Baylor has had the easier schedule. The Cowboys have played a Power Five conference opponent in Pitt. Oklahoma State also had to rebound from upset loss against Central Michigan. Baylor has looked good so far as no team they have played has really come close to beating them. You could also argue that Baylor’s defense looks better under head coach Jim Grobe than it did under Art Briles. They have yet to give up more than 13 points in a game. However, it is hard to tell as they have not played an offense near the caliber of Oklahoma State’s yet. It is sure to be an entertaining game on Saturday with two high powered offenses.
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