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Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-3, 1-1) |
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Baylor Bears (2-3, 1-1) |
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October 7th @ 7:00 p.m. |
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McLane Stadium | Waco, Texas |
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Texas Tech -1.5 |
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ESPN2 | Watch ESPN |
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72, Mostly Cloudy |
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Nathan Giese – Texas Tech football vs. Baylor: Scouting report & predictions [ed. note: statistically, this is not even close to accurate]:
When Texas Tech football passes
With the recent success of the rushing attack, Behren Morton hasn’t needed to accomplish much in the passing game. In his first start of the season against Houston, Morton was 14-for-22 for 161 yards and 2 TDs, though he was 3-of-8 for 10 yards in the second half as the Red Raiders wound down the clock. The Bears also present a solid secondary that’s giving up 210 yards a game.
Advantage: Baylor
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams – Gino Garcia one away from 40 career field goals | Texas Tech football round number watch:
Texas Tech offensive lineman Cole Spencer
The 6-4, 300-pound offensive guard is set to make his 50th career start in college football. His first 44 came at left tackle for Western Kentucky, where he played from 2017-21. Spencer’s a seventh-year senior who’s redshirted and received a medical hardship waiver after he missed last season recovering from knee and back surgeries.
Red Raider Sports’ Jarrett Ramirez – Tech looks to stack success against Baylor:
After missing three weeks with a knee problem, Shapen is back in the driver’s seat and was a catalyst in the Bears’ rally last week. Shapen does not do it all alone, however. The electric sophomore running back Richard Reese is still prevalent in the Baylor offense. Reese put up one of the best games of his freshman campaign against the Red Raiders, with his deadly outside zone run making way for three touchdowns against Tech. The Bears’ leading receiver, Monaray Baldwin, will be a formidable threat on the outside. Baldwin had his best game of the season so far against the Knights with seven receptions, 150 yards (66 YAC), and a touchdown.
Defensively, Aranda will be looking to replace starting linebacker Mike Smith, who tore his ACL against UCF. Stepping into his place will be Josh White, who was once the No. 8 recruit in Texas. Linebacker Matt Jones, originally of Odessa, is another name to watch being Baylor’s leading tackler. Jones had two sacks against Texas, and a 3.5 TFL performance highlighted his game against UCF.
Midland Reporter-Telegram’s Oscar leRoy – LEROY: Texas Tech in search of elusive road win at Baylor:
“We’ve got to challenge our guys that we’ve got to play well outside of our comfort zone,” Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said. “Obviously playing at Jones AT&T and playing in front of our fans is our comfort zone. Now we’ve got to pull closer together in a hostile environment, play better and get a road win.”
Add the fact that the Bears put on a 45-17 butt-whooping on the Red Raiders in Lubbock last year thanks in part to five turnovers. And then Baylor is also coming off a thrilling 36-35 victory at UCF after falling behind 35-7 in the third quarter, and it got quarterback Blake Shapen (293 passing yards, two total TDs) back from a knee injury, and the Bears don’t look as vulnerable as they did a couple of weeks ago.
“I think Blake Shapen is the heartbeat of that team,” McGuire said. “You can see the way that he played and he’s coming off an injury. One of his last plays (against UCF), he pulls it down and picks up eight or nine yards to get them in good position in the center of the field to kick the field goal to win the game.”
Red Raider Sports’ Julio Gonzales, Jr. – The Recruiting Six-Pack: Red Raiders have busy first day of October:
Cameron Dickey. Athlete, Austin, Texas. (Crockett HS). 5.5, three-star ATH.
Cameron Dickey committed to Texas Tech on June 7. He chose the Red Raiders over offers from Lamar and Texas State. Dickey led the Cougars to a 56-0 win in his game last Friday night. He was 11/20 for 146 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 191 yards and five touchdowns. Next up for the Cougars (2-3) are the Navarro Vikings (2-3).
Waco Tribune-Herald’s Zach Smith – Baylor looking to keep emotions in check ahead of rivalry showdown with Texas Tech:
Baylor was perhaps at its healthiest in the game against UCF. Cornerback Tevin Williams returned from an injury, while safety Devin Lemear and running back Dominic Richardson continued to get back into a groove after missing time earlier this season.
Quarterback Blake Shapen returned after missing three games with an injured MCL, and threw for 293 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for a touchdown.
Baldwin was his main target. His 150 receiving yards and a touchdown were the second-best game of his college career.
“He was my friend before he was the starting quarterback and before I was a starting receiver,” Baldwin said. “I feel like with us being able to grow together and mature together, it’s helped us come a long way and helped us become closer.”