Texas opens as 16-point favorites over Baylor

In the midst of a five-game winning streak and after two weeks on the road, the No. 9-ranked Texas Longhorns will return to Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium next Saturday for a game against the Baylor Bears as 16-point favorites, according to the initial odds released on Sunday.

Texas enters the game at 5-1 following three victories over ranked teams in the last four weeks, while Baylor boasts 4-2 record after beating Kansas State in Waco last week. The other three wins came against Abilene Christian, UTSA, and Kansas, with losses against Duke and Oklahoma.

Right now, the Bears profile as a team capable of putting up plenty of points behind quarterback Charlie Brewer and a passing attack that also features productive wide receivers Devin Mims and Jalen Hurd. Brewer protects the ball well — he’s thrown only two interceptions in 206 attempts, but the Baylor offensive line has allowed a high number of tackles for loss and sacks.

And the defense is allowing big plays on a consistent basis — one play of 80 or more yards, three plays of 70 or more yards, four plays of 60 or more yards, seven plays of 50 or more yards, and 14 plays of 40 or more yards. Suffice it to say that Baylor is hemorrhaging big plays on defense.

So while Texas wasn’t able to cover against a similar spread against Kansas State, Baylor won’t shorten the game in the same way and is likely to give up negative plays offensively and big plays defensively.

The Longhorns and Bears will kick off at 2:30 p.m. Central next Saturday on ESPN. Texas has won three straight games in the series.

The Golden Hat belongs to Texas. This t-shirt can belong to you. The victory will live forever