Five Keys to #SicDuke
9/14/2018 5:39:00 PM | Football
Bears Have to Bring Pressure and Control the Option Game.
BAYLOR vs. DUKE:
FIVE KEYS TO SATURDAY'S GAME
FIVE KEYS TO SATURDAY'S GAME
- BRING PRESSURE: With Duke QB Daniel Jones out with a broken left clavicle, redshirt junior Quentin Harris is scheduled to make his first career start. He's only thrown 15 passes in the 13 games he's played, but is considered a better running threat than Jones. Baylor's defense will have to account for him on option plays, filling all the gaps, but the Bears also need to bring pressure when he drops back. Pressure doesn't always result in sacks, but it can force the quarterback to rush throws and get him rattled in the pocket.
- KEEP 'EM CLEAN: It's a tall task, facing a Duke d-line that features returning freshman All-American Victor Dimukeje at defensive end, but the offensive line has to give quarterbacks Charlie Brewer and Jalan McClendon time in the pocket. That was a struggle last week against UTSA, when Brewer did pass for 328 yards and three touchdowns but was constantly on the run. It helps that Clemson transfer Jake Fruhmorgen has a game under his belt at left tackle and now the Bears are getting junior college transfer Johncarlo Valentin back. This is as healthy and deep as Baylor's line has been . . . maybe ever.
- CATCH THE BALL: In last year's 34-20 loss at Duke, Baylor stayed in the game with the long ball. Chris Platt caught TD passes of 73 and 79 yards and Denzel Mims added a 44-yarder. Against a secondary that lost preseason All-American cornerback Mark Gilbert to a season-ending hip injury, the Bears will have their chances to go deep again this week. They just can't drop the ball like they have in the opening two games.
- WIN SPECIAL TEAMS: In a matchup that looks to be fairly even, special teams could be the deciding factor. Baylor's kicking tandem of Drew Galitz and Connor Martin can stack up against any duo in the country the way they've been going. Galitz is averaging 42.0 yards, pinning three of his six punts inside the 20, and has been a lock on booming his kickoffs into the end zone. Martin hasn't missed, hitting 5-of-5 field goals and 11-of-11 extra points. Baylor can't afford to hit a kickoff out of bounds the way Galitz did in last year's game at Duke, setting up the Blue Devils' first score.
- MAKE IT LOUD: Yes, it could rain. But don't let that keep you away from McLane Stadium for this one. Last week, UTSA didn't have a great crowd at the Alamodome, but that place was loud. Even though it's not an indoor stadium, McLane has a way of getting really loud when the home crowd is into it. Especially when Duke is on offense, let the Blue Devils know you're there. That could be just the edge the Bears need to get to 3-0 going into next week's Big 12 home opener against Kansas.
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