This summer’s series “Top 5” brings you a new twist to the mix: our “Top 5 Bold Predictions.”
While Baylor had a great 2014 season and a team that brings back 18 returning starters, there is some cause for concern in Waco.
For one, the Red Raiders have matched up well against the Bears in recent seasons. Five of the last seven showdowns in this series have resulted in games decided by seven points or less — including last year’s two-point loss to BU in AT&T Stadium.
Not only is Texas Tech a good matchup, Seth Russell will still be getting accustomed to the starting role.
Sure, Russell got some experience last season in mop up duty, but those were in games against teams like Buffalo, SMU & Northwestern State.
The “dress rehearsal” games he’ll see before lining up against Tech in 2015?
SMU, Lamar, and Rice. Sound familiar?
Don’t forget, he didn’t exactly light up the Red Raiders when he had the chance last season.
Coming in for an injured Bryce Petty, Russell went 8-for-18 passing with 82 yards. That equates to a 39.2 passer rating and only a 4.8 yards/attempt average.
Also, the Bears showed one HUGE weakness down the stretch in 2014: closing games out.
In their final three games, Baylor was outscored 47-3.
Let that sink in. 47-3.
That’s in a time where needed style points for a College Football Playoff run(or in the case of Michigan State, prove they were supposed to be there) and a high-powered offense are supposed to work towards Art Briles’ advantage.
Meanwhile, one of Texas Tech’s quarterbacks has the opposite resume late in games.
In his final three games as a starter, Patrick Mahomes racked up 356 yards on 22-for-34 passing — over half that total coming against Baylor.
Is this all just situational or arbitrary? We’ll find out October 3rd.
Until then, it our first “Bold Prediction for 2015.”
