Five Keys to Saturday's Game
11/19/2022 8:23:00 AM | Football
Defense needs to find a way to get off the field
FIVE KEYS: BAYLOR vs. #4 TCU
- GET OFF THE FIELD: That was something the defense couldn't do in last week's 31-3 loss to Kansas State. The Wildcats were 8-of-13 on third down, made 30 first downs and kept the ball for over 37 ½ minutes. "Defensively, I think it's dealing with adversity," Baylor coach Dave Aranda said. "That has been a pretty consistent issue throughout the season. When we face teams that play with a discipline and an execution that is of a high standard, we fail to keep up with that standard. And then it compounds because I'm going to press and try to do this. You're going to make something up and try to do that. And it all trickles down to everything, to everybody else."
- STRIKE FIRST: Particularly against an explosive TCU offense, you don't want to get behind early and try to play catch-up. If the Bears are in position to strike first, like they were on their opening drive against K-State, they've got to punch it in and take the lead. "As an offense, we just didn't do our job," fifth-year senior left tackle Connor Galvin said. "It was first down, first down, flag, or first down, first down, pick. We stopped ourselves in the red zone. We beat ourselves. So, it was all really self-inflicted wounds. And we've learned from that. Our goal is to not do that again."
- STOP THE RUN: Max Duggan and a talented set of receivers that includes Temple's Quentin Johnston are probably going to make some big plays in the passing game, but the defense has to get back to its run-stopping ways and contain running back Kendre Miller. In a 17-10 win at Texas, Miller broke a 75-yard touchdown in the third quarter and finished with 138 yards on 21 carries. As a team, the Horned Frogs are averaging 213.6 yards rushing per game and 5.4 per attempt. The Bears' best bet is to at least slow down the running game and force Duggan to beat you throwing it.
- SEND OUT THE SENIORS: This is one of the largest senior classes in recent memory, with 25 being honored before the game and a few others who have already been recognized. This is a group that has been to two Sugar Bowls and also gone through a 2-7 COVID-affected 2020 season. The Bears are 10-2 at McLane Stadium over the last two seasons and can send out the seniors with their first win over a ranked team this year. "I've played a lot of football with these guys," Galvin said. "We've been through a lot of stuff together, a lot of workouts, a lot of bad days, good days and all that. So, it's going to suck not to be with them after this year, but all of us have made friends for life."
- PROTECT THE BALL: Quarterback Blake Shapen has been better of late about protecting the ball in the pocket and on runs, a bugaboo that bit him in losses to Oklahoma State and West Virginia. But, he had two passes picked off against K-State and has eight for the season. The TCU defense is right behind Baylor's pass defense with 11 interceptions for the year. "I think there was probably some pressing by him," Aranda said. "His footwork probably illustrated some of that. In the past, where he'd step into throws and be real confident with all of it, I think there was a pressing and a pressure in everything that he was fighting. So, to get back to where there's a really strong confidence and command in all of it – like he's done for us a lot this year – gives us the best chance to be the best offense we can be."
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