Baylor Bears Week 12 Opponent Preview: Texas Longhorns

Baylor aims for its first winning streak over the Longhorns since 2014.

Author:
Zach Dimmitt
Publish date:
Aug 25, 2022 6:16 PM EDT

In this story:

The Baylor Bears will make the trip down south to Austin visit the Texas Longhorns on Friday, Nov. 25 to close out Big 12 play and the 2022 regular season.

Texas leads the all-time series 79-28-4 dating back to 1901. But Baylor got the best of Texas last season in Waco, winning 31-24 in what was a dominant performance for coach Dave Aranda's rushing attack.

Baylor running back Abram Smith had 21 carries for 145 yards and a touchdown while Trestan Ebner has 12 carries for 66 yards.

Baylor enters this season ranked No. 10 while the Longhorns are unranked the begin the year for the first time since 2016. For the Bears, they'll see if they can live up to expectations by the time this end-of-season matchup comes around. For Texas, it will be a test to potentially prove doubters wrong.

Texas Longhorns

2021 Record: 5-7 (3-6 in Big 12)

Offensive Scheme: Pro Spread

Defensive Set: Multiple 4-2-5

Head Coach: Steve Sarkisian

Sarkisian enters his second season at the helm in Austin after a disappointing 5-7 record last year. The Longhorns got off to a solid 4-1 start but proceeded to lose six in a row before winning their final game of the season. As a head coach, Sarkisian has a combined record of 51-42.

Despite the losing season, the Longhorns were third in the Big 12 in total offensive yards per game (424.8) and were the second-best rushing offense by average yardage (199.3).

After former Longhorn Casey Thompson got the start in Waco last season, the role at quarterback will now be occupied by Ohio State transfer Quinn Ewers, who has still yet to complete a collegiate pass.

Projected offensive starters:

QB Quinn Ewers

RB Bijan Robinson

WR Xavier Worthy

WR Isaiah Neyor

WR Jordan Whittington

TE Jahleel Billingsley

LT Andrej Karic

LG Junior Angilau

C Jake Majors

RG Cole Hutson

RT Christian Jones

On defense, Texas allowed the third-most total yards (5,107) and rushing yards per game (201.6) while allowing the fourth-most points per game (31.1).

Texas also tied the Kansas Jayhawks for the fewest interceptions last season with just seven picks.

Projected defensive starters:

JACK: Alfred Collins

DT Moro Ojomo

NT Keondre Coburn

BUCK: Ovie Oghoufo

WILL: DeMarvion Overshown

MIKE: Luke Brockermeyer

CB D'Shawn Jamison

CB Ryan Watts

STAR: Jahdae Barron

S Anthony Cook