Baylor Football Blog
Friday, October 14, 2005
Baylor vs. Nebraska
Tomorrow Baylor will face its toughest challenge this year. The Nebraska Cornhuskers bring a 4-1 (1-1) record into Waco and are pushing to challenge for the Big XII North title. Baylor is pushing for a bowl berth and to continue to build on a surprisingly strong season. Something is going to have to give.
Things to Remember:
Baylor has shown a knack for consistent defensive showings this year, ranking 15th in total defense and playing the pass especially tough. A mixture of blitzes and zone coverages have increased turnovers on defense and the defense is putting the offense is a position to score points.
Nebraska has also shown great strength on defense. They have done a good job limiting the rushing attack of their opponents and getting to the quarterback.
The key difference between the two defenses is that Nebraska has had 78,000 fans behind them for every game they've played. That's some serious home field advantage. The Baylor defense has played 4 games on the road, with an average of around 3,500 fans at each of the games. They've done it in hostile environments, and they've put Baylor in a position to win every game.
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Shawn Bell is showing himself to be a winner. He's thrown for 61% completion and 2 TDs with 0 interceptions in conference play. He hasn't thrown an interception in 77 attempts andwhen the team needed a drive for the win, more often than not, he's gotten them there.
But he will need to step up again this week. He'll have to show some of the mobility he displayed against ISU this week as NUs defensive ends pin their ears back and rush up the field.
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Zac Taylor may be putting up the yardage, but he's also prone to being picked off. The ISU and Tech defenses he faced were decent, but Baylor's defense will be on another level. And they'll be at home. I expect Baylor to get pressure on Taylor and to get a few turnovers. Baylor will also need to contain Ross, both as a runner and as a receiver, to have success in this game.
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Daniel Sepulveda has been great this year, but more importantly the gunners are improving. Receiver Ryan Jeffery is back and has been excellent getting down the field and making the tackle. Baylor will need to limit the Nebraska returners to maintain the field position battles Sepulveda can win for us.
Overall:
I think Baylor comes out and is energized by the fans and do a good job of containing a Nebraska offense not used to playing on the road. I think the Baylor offense opens things up a little more this weekend and puts a few more points on the board, and controls the clock.
Prediction:
Baylor------24
Nebraska---16 ¶ 10/14/2005 0 Comments
Tomorrow Baylor will face its toughest challenge this year. The Nebraska Cornhuskers bring a 4-1 (1-1) record into Waco and are pushing to challenge for the Big XII North title. Baylor is pushing for a bowl berth and to continue to build on a surprisingly strong season. Something is going to have to give.
Things to Remember:
Baylor has shown a knack for consistent defensive showings this year, ranking 15th in total defense and playing the pass especially tough. A mixture of blitzes and zone coverages have increased turnovers on defense and the defense is putting the offense is a position to score points.
Nebraska has also shown great strength on defense. They have done a good job limiting the rushing attack of their opponents and getting to the quarterback.
The key difference between the two defenses is that Nebraska has had 78,000 fans behind them for every game they've played. That's some serious home field advantage. The Baylor defense has played 4 games on the road, with an average of around 3,500 fans at each of the games. They've done it in hostile environments, and they've put Baylor in a position to win every game.
-------------
Shawn Bell is showing himself to be a winner. He's thrown for 61% completion and 2 TDs with 0 interceptions in conference play. He hasn't thrown an interception in 77 attempts andwhen the team needed a drive for the win, more often than not, he's gotten them there.
But he will need to step up again this week. He'll have to show some of the mobility he displayed against ISU this week as NUs defensive ends pin their ears back and rush up the field.
--------------
Zac Taylor may be putting up the yardage, but he's also prone to being picked off. The ISU and Tech defenses he faced were decent, but Baylor's defense will be on another level. And they'll be at home. I expect Baylor to get pressure on Taylor and to get a few turnovers. Baylor will also need to contain Ross, both as a runner and as a receiver, to have success in this game.
--------------
Daniel Sepulveda has been great this year, but more importantly the gunners are improving. Receiver Ryan Jeffery is back and has been excellent getting down the field and making the tackle. Baylor will need to limit the Nebraska returners to maintain the field position battles Sepulveda can win for us.
Overall:
I think Baylor comes out and is energized by the fans and do a good job of containing a Nebraska offense not used to playing on the road. I think the Baylor offense opens things up a little more this weekend and puts a few more points on the board, and controls the clock.
Prediction:
Baylor------24
Nebraska---16 ¶ 10/14/2005 0 Comments
