Baylor comes out of its bye week with momentum, and Saturday’s matchup against TCU gives the Bears a chance to keep rolling. Kickoff is set for 6:00 PM Central in Baylor’s fifth home game of the season, and the story of this one starts with how well the Bears can control the game on their own terms.
The most important name on the field is Lagway. He arrives fresh off a huge outing against Arizona State, one that featured more than 300 yards and 5 total touchdowns. Baylor’s offense looked like it could do almost anything it wanted in that win, and if the Bears want another convincing result, that kind of production will matter again.
TCU, meanwhile, has been trending in the wrong direction. The Horned Frogs have dropped back-to-back games and managed only 23 points combined in those losses. If you set aside the blowout wins over Grambling and Arkansas State, Jaden Craig’s numbers tell a rougher story: just one passing touchdown, 3 interceptions, and more than 11 sacks allowed.
That pass protection problem is a major concern heading into Saturday. TCU is expected to be without multiple offensive linemen, which could make life even harder for Craig in the pocket.
Baylor will need to attack that weakness immediately, keep the pressure coming, and force Craig into uncomfortable situations all game long. The Horned Frogs have already given up sacks and turnovers against physical defenses, and that’s exactly the kind of game Baylor needs to create.
The matchup on the ground could also tilt things Baylor’s way, even if the Bears don’t pile up huge rushing numbers. TCU has been strong against the run for most of the season, holding opponents to around 100 yards per game and giving up its season high last week against BYU with 154 rushing yards.
Baylor’s rushing attack sits just under the top 100th-best in the country, so this may not be a game where the Bears lean heavily on the run. More likely, they’ll have to make their damage through the air.
Turnovers could be the separator. Baylor is on pace to finish with more than 24 turnovers this season, and if the Bears can generate at least two takeaways here, that would go a long way toward controlling the outcome. Strong pressure up front can turn into those kinds of chances, and Baylor has the kind of offense that can capitalize when it gets extra possessions.
There is also the red-zone piece. TCU has done a decent job limiting explosive plays and keeping scores relatively low, but Baylor has been especially dangerous once it gets inside the 20-yard line.
That’s where the Bears can make the Horned Frogs pay, and where settling for field goals could keep this closer than it needs to be. For Baylor, the key is simple: finish drives with seven points, not three.
In Other News...
TCU Fans Have A New Reason To Rally Around Thien An Nguyen
Thien An Nguyen is giving TCU plenty to cheer for beyond the usual fall calendar. The Horned Frogs alum and current medical student is competing on season 51 of CBS Survivor, and the school made a point to celebrate her latest appearance with a campus watch party. About 30 family members and friends gathered to watch the episode together, turning the evening into a small but meaningful show of support for one of their own.
Nguyen said she appreciated the backing and the chance to share the viewing experience with people who have been rooting for her. For TCU fans, it adds a new kind of storyline to follow, one that stretches far beyond Fort Worth and gives the campus a connection to one of televisions most enduring competition shows. [Read more 🡒]
TCU Offense Faces A Brutal Test Against Surging Baylor
TCU heads to McLane Stadium on Oct. 17 needing a reset, and the matchup comes at a tricky moment. Baylor has opened 4-1 overall and 2-0 in Big 12 play, while the Horned Frogs are 2-3 and still searching for a conference breakthrough. The contrast is clear on paper: Baylor has paired efficient offense with steady defense, and TCU has shown enough between the lines to move the ball but not enough to cash those drives in when the competition has stiffened.
The Horned Frogs have run into trouble turning production into points against Power Four opponents, which makes this trip a demanding one for an offense already trying to find its footing. Baylors recent surge adds another layer to the test, because the Bears are playing with balance and confidence on both sides of the ball. For TCU, the challenge is not just keeping pace, but proving it can finish possessions against a team that has been far more complete in conference play. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Faces Its First Real Big 12 Test Against TCU
Baylors trip to Fort Worth lands at an important spot on the Big 12 calendar, with both programs trying to sort out where they really stand in a conference that has already started to separate into tiers. The Bears are getting their first real test against TCU, and for the Horned Frogs it is the kind of matchup that can tell them whether they are ready to climb back into the league race or still have more ground to make up.
TCU enters with little room for error after an uneven start to conference play, and this one carries more than just the usual rivalry edge. A strong showing would give the Horned Frogs a needed boost in both confidence and standing, while a setback would only deepen the pressure as the Big 12 schedule moves deeper into October. [Read more 🡒]