Baylor Bears vs. UCF Knights: A Big 12 Showdown Preview
The UCF Knights, holding a 4-3 overall record and a 1-3 standing in the Big 12 Conference, are set to resume their season after a second bye week. Their November journey begins with an away game against the Baylor Bears, who stand at 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the Big 12. The stage is set at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas, with kickoff scheduled for noon ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.
Game Details
- Kickoff: Saturday, November 1, noon ET
- Location: McLane Stadium, Waco, Texas
- TV: ESPNU
- Spread: UCF -3.5 (ESPN)
- Weather Forecast: 71°, cloudy with a chance of storms
Series History
The series between Baylor and UCF is currently tied at 1-1. Their encounters have been memorable. The first was the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Day of 2014. The first meeting as Big 12 conference mates, in UCF’s first-ever Big 12 home game, was less of a great day.
- Leader: Tied 1-1
- Last Meeting: 2023 - Baylor 36, UCF 35
About the Baylor Bears
- Record: 4-4, 2-3 in the Big 12
- Last Week: Lost to #21 Cincinnati 41-20
The Bears find themselves in an interesting position with their .500 record. They have notable victories against K-State and SMU, close losses to Arizona State and TCU, and a recent loss to Cincinnati.
Head Coach: Dave Aranda
Dave Aranda's position as head coach is under scrutiny. Following a Big 12 title in 2021, the Bears have had limited success. A loss at home to UCF could intensify the pressure on him. His career record in six seasons is 35-34.
Baylor Offense
The Baylor offense, led by quarterback Sawyer Robertson, aims to exploit the UCF defense.
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- Key Player: QB Sawyer Robertson
Robertson has thrown for over 2,500 yards, with 23 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He faces UCF's strong pass defense, which allows under 150 passing yards per game.
- Other Guys to Watch:
- #30 RB Bryson Washington - 603 yards, 6 TDs, 1,000-yard season last year
- #34 WR Josh Cameron - 44 catches, 576 yards, 4 TD, 1,940 yards receiving in four years at Baylor
Baylor Defense
The Baylor defense, anchored by linebacker Keaton Thomas, faces the challenge of containing the UCF offense.
- Key Player: LB Keaton Thomas
Thomas leads the Bears with 71 tackles.
Team Stats Comparison
Here's a comparison of team statistics to provide a deeper insight into the strengths and weaknesses of both teams:
Baylor Offense vs. UCF Defense
| Stat | Baylor Offense (Big 12 Rank/FBS Rank) | UCF Defense (FBS Rank/Big 12 Rank) |
|---|---|---|
| Points/Game | 34.3 (6th/34th) | 17.1 (16th/4th) |
| Total Yards/Game | 458.6 (3rd/22nd) | 292.1 (16th/3rd) |
| Rush Yards/Game | 140.3 (13th/89th) | 145.9 (71st/10th) |
| Pass Yards/Game | 318.4 (1st/5th) | 146.3 (6th/1st) |
| Turnovers | 16 (Last/124th) | 8 (84th/11th) |
Baylor Defense vs. UCF Offense
| Stat | Baylor Defense (Big 12 Rank/FBS Rank) | UCF Offense (FBS Rank/Big 12 Rank) |
|---|---|---|
| Points/Game | 32.6 (15th/117th) | 34.7 (54th/9th) |
| Total Yards/Game | 403.1 (13th/101st) | 445.1 (26th/4th) |
| Rush Yards/Game | 190.5 (15th/116th) | 208.1 (20th/3rd) |
| Pass Yards/Game | 212.6 (9th/57th) | 237.0 (63rd/8th) |
| Turnovers | 7 (14th/104th) | 8 (36th/5th) |
Expert Predictions
Several analysts have weighed in on the potential outcome of this game:
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- Trent Knoop (Baylor Bears on SI): Predicts a Baylor victory, emphasizing the importance of Sawyer Robertson's performance and the defense's ability to compensate for slow starts. Final score: Baylor 38, UCF 31
- Josh Abraham: Foresees a Baylor win, anticipating a strong performance from Sawyer Robertson. Final score: Baylor 34, UCF 21
- Josh Crawford: Expects Baylor to bounce back and win at home, citing the need for the team to show pride and fight for their coach. Final score: Baylor 31, UCF 24
- Tony Thomas: Believes Sawyer Robertson will have a strong game, leading Baylor to victory.
Key Factors to Watch
- Sawyer Robertson's Consistency: Robertson's performance is crucial for Baylor's offensive success.
- Defensive Performance: Can Baylor's defense step up and contain UCF's offense?
- Turnovers: Baylor needs to minimize turnovers, which have been a recurring issue.
- Motivation: Which team will be more motivated and hungrier for the win?
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tags: #baylor #vs #ucf #football #preview
