Staff Predictions: Baylor

With the Cowboys coming off a win against No.6 Texas, The Pokes will look to carry the momentum in Waco today. Our staff got together to discuss what they think will happen in today’s game.

Grant Boston:OSU 35, Baylor 21 - If Texas DE Charles Omenihu can pressure Baylor QB Charlie Brewer (a Charles-on-Charles crime) all night long and register two sacks, Jordan Brailford can get three. OSU’s secondary is tested, but the defensive line stuffs Brewer and runs by Jalen Hurd. On offense, OSU will look to recreate the magical Cornelius-Wallace connection that worked so well against Texas and mix in a healthy dose of 25 carries to Justice Hill.

Phillip Slavin: OSU 34 - Baylor 28. This game coming into the season looked like a loss. Sandwiched between Texas and Oklahoma, on the road, late in the season against an improving Baylor team. That spells trap game. Throw in a Baylor team who just got EMBARRASSED by West Virginia and possibly the best wide receiving corp in the Big 12 (yep) and I’m really nervous about this game. THAT SAID. I think OSU’s offensive adjustments continue to work, plus Baylor is handing out sacks like candy on Halloween. With all that in mind, I’ll take OSU in a close one.

Ryan Harris: Oklahoma State: 31 Baylor:23

Baylor’s shot in this one will come down to how many sacks their offensive line gives up, as well as the quarterback play. Charlie Brewer left the game against West Virginia last weekend after a 1-8 start to go with three interceptions. Baylor will need to take care of the football and protecting the quarterback usually helps with that. The OSU defensive line should be ready to feast on the Baylor offensive line like it’s an early Thanksgiving dinner. Like I said last weekend with TCU’s visit to Kansas, this one could end up going Baylor’s way if OSU isn’t careful. I’ll take the Cowboys in a close one.

Louis Pineda: OSU 41 - Baylor 38: This will be another nail-biter for the Pokes. Shockingly we have played terribly against Baylor recently, losing 3 of the last 4. As bad as the Bears looked last weekend, don’t expect this game to be a pushover. Baylor’s WR corp will be a big test for our young secondary - even more than Texas’ wideouts. Also, I have no idea what to expect from Taylor Cornelius as he will be following up arguably his best performance of the season. He hasn’t been able to string together good starts and I fear this might be an underwhelming one from him. Hope I’m wrong and that we win by 100!

Robert Whetsell: Wait, you guys are citing specific players and position groups and utilizing analysis to justify your predictions?

I thought this was to spout silly shit, hot takes, and throw out either kool-aid or pessimism laced predictions. If you want me to actually start thinking then I gotta get paid or at least get some swag.

That being said, I really like OSU to win this game big UNTIL I remind myself of what happened after I jumped on the bandwagon and took the reins following the Boise State win. Granted Baylor is decidedly NOT Texas Tech, but OSU is heading into an environment in which they’ve only won twice under Gundy and no W’s since 2009. Combine that with the glaring fact that I don’t trust the coaches to stick with a game plan that works and this has the makings of an usual, unnecessarily stressful game we’ve come to expect from the Cowboys in this type of situation.

I’m going with the FIRST EVER single-digit win over Baylor under Gundy.

31-28 Cowboys

Zach McCoy: I’ve had a hard time pegging this game all week. Even the national pundits know that OSU has been inconsistent this year. Is the Texas game a sign of things coming together, or will the roller coaster continue? I think the bye week helped some important players heal up (especially Bundage) and the Texas game injected some confidence into the corners. I think the offensive scheme is finally being adjusted more to Corn and Co.’s strengths. I think the Texas win gives something solid to build on, and the coaches and players will do so.

Oklahoma State 38 – Baylor 24