Texas State Defensive Players to Watch vs. Baylor in Week 3
The Baylor Bears will wrap up non-conference play for the 2022-23 college football season when the Texas State Bobcats of the Sun Belt head into Waco for a meeting with the Bears on Saturday.
Baylor is 8-0 all-time against Texas State, with the first meeting occurring in 1909 and the most recent happening last season in San Marcos. The Bears narrowly avoided an upset last season, defeating the Bobcats 29-20 in the first game of the year.
But after winning a Big 12 title and the Sugar Bowl this past season, Baylor should be in better position to win convincingly over a Texas State team that has had just 12 wins over the last four years.
The Bobcats defense allowed the third-most points per game (33) in the Sun Belt last season to go along with giving up the fourth-most offensive yardage (430.4), the fourth-most passing yards (246.8), and the second-most rushing yards (183.6).
Some of the telling numbers to prove how ineffective Texas State's defense was is shown in the team's 18 sacks and just three interceptions, both fewest in the Sun Belt last season.
Be sure to stick with InsideTheBears.com as we preview every aspect of the matchup with the Bobcats throughout the week. We've already done a general preview of Texas State as well as offensive players to watch.
Now, let's look at the defensive players Baylor should have its eye on.
CB Kordell Rodgers
The Bobcats only had three picks last season, but Rodgers still did his part from the secondary. He led the team with seven passes defended to go along with one sack, one forced fumble, and 32 tackles.
The Lufkin, Texas native is entering his sixth year with the program, making him far and away one of the most experienced players to take the field when the Bobcats travel to Waco.
He has the only two interceptions for the Bobcats this season. Both came in Saturday's win over FIU, as Rodgers returned one for a 63-yard touchdown.
LB Sione Tupou
Tupou, a former UTEP Miner, did a little bit of everything from his linebacker spot last season. He was second on the team with 74 total tackles, while adding a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and two passes defended.
In Texas State's quadruple-overtime win over South Alabama on Oct. 9. Tupou had a season-high 14 tackles, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He also completed one pass for nine yards on offense last season.
Through two games, he leads Texas State with 18 total tackles.
LB Issiah Nixon
Nixon was a machine on defense to begin last season for the Bobcats. He had four forced fumbles within the first three games, despite only having the eighth-most tackles on the team (41). Nixon also added four sacks (one each in the first three games) along with four passes defended.
He's not listed as a starter on the depth chart, but he's proven that doesn't matter. Nixon didn't play in last year's meeting with Baylor, giving the Bears all the more reason to watch out for him this time around.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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