Baylor Preview: Battle With The Bears

by dimecoverage on Nov 11, 2009 2:00 AM CST in Texas Longhorns Football

Thanks to John Werner, Waco Tribune-Herald, for a look at the Baylor Bears.

The rule about bears is their unpredictability. - Anonymous

1. The loss of Griffin was tough, but last week in Columbia Nick Florence had as great a performance as any quarterback in the Big 12 this entire season. Why is he doing so well right now? What will be his challenges against Texas?
Florence is a smart guy, and he's learned the offense better every week, and it paid off against Missouri. He was really in sync with his receivers, and his passes were crisp. The Longhorns will likely present a much greater pass rush than Missouri, and Florence probably won't have as much time to throw.

2. Talk about the receivers. Who are Florence’s favorite targets?
Kendall Wright caught 10 passes against Missouri, while David Gettis caught eight. Lanear Sampson is another target. They've all got good speed.

3. Talk about the offensive line. What are their strengths? What are their weaknesses? How has the protection been for the quarterback?
Baylor's offensive line has been solid in pass protection, but has a hard time pushing people back on runs.

4. Talk about the secondary. Who is will be matched up with Jordan Shipley? Do the defensive backs have the speed to keep up with the Texas receivers?
If Baylor doesn't get a decent pass rush, it's going to be tough for the defensive backs to match up with Texas' receivers. It's hard to say who they will match up against Shipley.

5. Joe Pawelek isn’t big or fast, but he is one of the impact players on this team? What makes him so scary for opponents?
He's intelligent and has great instincts. He never gives up on a play, and has a knack for getting interceptions.

6. Phil Taylor had a lot of pre-season hype. How has he contributed this season?
Phil's been double-teamed a lot, and hasn't made a lot of big plays. Other defensive linemen like Jason Lamb and Tracy Robertson have made more big plays.

7. What matchup between Baylor's offense and Texas' defense concerns you the most and which one gives you the most confidence? Between Baylor's defense and Texas' offense?
The Bears will have a hard time running against Texas' defensive line. Baylor's secondary will have a hard time containing McCoy and Shipley.

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Comments

Pithy, John Werner. Very pithy.

by billyzane on Nov 11, 2009 8:44 AM CST reply actions

True, but the more I think about it… This guy has to not only watch Baylor football but try to find something to write about.

I would not want his job.

by dimecoverage on Nov 11, 2009 9:07 AM CST up reply actions

I wondered if he cried after Griffin's ACL tore.

by ajax77777 on Nov 11, 2009 10:39 AM CST up reply actions

Gotta love when the answers are shorter than the questions.

by BoddickerIsClutch on Nov 11, 2009 9:39 AM CST up reply actions

If....

If good Colt shows up…we roll…if not….we win but ugly. We cant give voters any reason to vote TCU or Cinci ahead of us

by Dawnpatrol on Nov 11, 2009 8:50 AM CST via mobile reply actions

No offense to you

Because I know this is common nomenclature on BON, but I hate the idea of Good Player Bad Player.

Colt has been pretty darn consistent throughout his career. Everyone has better days and worse days, but its not like hes a Jekyll and Hyde performer. Football is probably the most team oriented sport that there is (aside from doubles tennis), and a poor performance from Colt is generally far more a result of a combination of several factors in the offense, whether it be tipped passes, blown routes, poor line play, tendency play calling, or just poor decision making by Colt.

On top of all those factors, the number one reason for a good or bad performance is what is happening on the other side of the ball and field. Does their talent/scheme matchup well with ours? Have they deciphered some tendency they exploit, are their players having the game of their lives. How is our defense playing, does the offense have time to get in rhythm, rest when they need to, get field position thats helpful from defense and special teams.

Lastly, there’s the factors that no one can control. Health of starters on either side of the ball, weather conditions, field conditions etc…

Colt has improved throughout his career, and that’s not in question. Experience and practice make you a better player. But hes not so removed from the kid who had a stellar freshman campaign, or the record setting junior campaign. And as a sophomore? Well there I’d argue it had as much to do with all the other factors as it did Colt himself.

Anyway my point is, I dont see Good Colt Bad Colt. There is just Colt. He will perform. If he has an off day, he is still a damned good QB, and it will be a myriad of other factors that would take us to win ugly. The old adage that QBs get too much credit when the team plays well and too much blame when they dont I guess.

by BoddickerIsClutch on Nov 11, 2009 9:51 AM CST up reply actions

Damn Good Post

I was reading the Good Colt bad Colt and starting to buy in until I watched Big 10 football games. QBs could not stand on the beach and throw into the Gulf. And these were their top QBs like Pryor, Clark, Iowa kid. Colt looks like he is from another superior planet compared to the stand QB fare around the country. Tebow – kid does not have a clean release, shotputs the ball. Bama – please.

by realmccoy on Nov 11, 2009 12:25 PM CST up reply actions