Having a Cohesive Offensive Line Will Go a Long Way
BAYLOR vs. TCU:
FIVE KEYS TO SATURDAYS' GAME
1. COHESION IN OFFENSIVE LINE: In the first three games, Baylor hasn't come close to having consistency with a starting five from week to week. Senior center Xavier Newman-Johnson has only played one game, while left tackle Connor Galvin missed last week's Texas game. This will be the first time all year that the offensive line has had a full week of working together and getting ready for a game. That could make a huge difference in just each player knowing who's lining up next to them and how they work together for combo blocks and pass protection. "There really isn't a position group that needs more cohesion and kind of a collective mind than (the offensive line)," head coach Dave Aranda said.
2. DEVELOP AN IDENTITY: Particularly on the offensive side, what defines this Baylor team? Because of the issues in the offensive line, quarterback Charlie Brewer hasn't had enough time to take many deep shots down the field and the running game hasn't clicked since piling up 203 yards in the season-opening 47-14 win over Kansas. "I think it's just honing in on an identity, just the runs and passes that we can hang our hat on," Aranda said. "I've been guilty of this as we are just trying to make things work for that given moment. I think the key is to build and hone in on this is us, and hone in and build on those things week after week."
3. WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE: At plus-3 for the season, Baylor is second in the Big 12 and tied for 12th nationally in turnover margin. Against Texas, safety JT Woods' fourth-quarter interception was the only turnover of the game. In a double-OT loss at West Virginia, the problem was the Bears didn't convert, scoring just one touchdown on the Mountaineers' four turnovers. Baylor doesn't just need to win the turnover margin, it needs to take advantage of every opportunity against the Horned Frogs.
4. DON'T LET MAX BEAT YOU: Much like Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger, you don't have to look too far to find who runs the show in TCU's offense. Quarterback Max Duggan has thrown for 902 yards and four touchdowns and is also the Horned Frogs' leading rusher with 150 yards and three TDs on the ground. He has more than twice as many rushing attempts than any of TCU's running backs-by-committee. The defensive line, which is also back at full strength, needs to bring some pressure without letting Duggan scramble out of the pocket and beat you with his feet.
5. LIMIT THE BIG PLAYS: Overall, Baylor's defense had another solid game last week, holding the Longhorns to 3.4 yards per carry and keeping the Bears in the game. But, big plays proved costly with pass plays of 72, 47 and 42 yards. All 11 players have to be on the same page and make sure the coverages are communicated to all levels. Aranda said he's expecting TCU to try to copy some of UT's tempo, so "the ability to spend time there is going to pay off when things do go fast, and there is an autopilot sense to it, where your training will take over."
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