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Baylor vs TCU preview, predictions, betting odds, live stream info

By Cody Williams

Nov 21, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Chris Johnson (13) attempts to avoid the tackle of Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Ashton Lampkin (6) in the fourth quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Baylor won 45-35. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Chris Johnson (13) attempts to avoid the tackle of Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Ashton Lampkin (6) in the fourth quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Baylor won 45-35. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baylor Bears vs. TCU Horned Frogs

The Baylor Bears will be starting their third-string quarterback in sophomore Chris Johnson on Friday night when they travel to Amon G. Carter Stadium to take on the TCU Horned Frogs in one of the most anticipated college football games of the season. The Bears were already down Seth Russell due to injury and have now lost Jarrett Stidham for the rest of the year with a broken ankle. Johnson filled in for Stidham in the second half last week and will undoubtedly need the likes of Corey Coleman, KD Cannon, and running back Shock Linwood if Linwood isn’t too banged up to go. TCU should be getting over injuries of their own on Friday where Trevone Boykin is almost surely set to return, though he and Aaron Green will be without Josh Doctson on Friday and for the rest of the year.

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Details for Friday’s game are below:

Date: Friday, Nov. 27
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Stadium: Amon G. Carter Stadium
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Here
Ticket information: For TCU Horned Frogs ticket info click here. For Baylor Bears ticket info click here.

Keys to Victory

The key to this matchup between the Bears and Horned Frogs was always going to be about offense, but that’s going to be an interesting venture for Baylor with Chris Johnson starting at quarterback. Johnson showed in relief last week that he’s capable of throwing a deep ball and using the speed of the Bears receivers and that he’s hardly afraid of a big moment. Moreover, Johnson didn’t even fully get to show what he’s capable of as a rusher. But the sophomore is an unknown commodity and, with Linwood possibly missing this game as well, how Johnson steps up should be the determining factor in Baylor’s potential success.

For TCU, getting Boykin back would be a huge advantage for the home team, as you’d expect getting a quarterback once considered a Heisman Trophy candidate back in the lineup would be. However, the key to this game on Friday for the Horned Frogs could be in the rushing game with Aaron Green. Green is the unheralded weapon for TCU, but if they can get him rolling against the Bears and control the flow of the game, Baylor could be taken out of their rhythm and rendered less effective.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Baylor Bears -1.5
Moneyline: Baylor Bears -110, TCU Horned Frogs -110
O/U: 79

Prediction

With Boykin likely returning and Baylor being without their first- and second-string quarterbacks and possibly as their starting running back as well, my inclination would be to say TCU has the advantage. However, I liked what I saw from Johnson last week and think that Baylor still has more weapons to throw at the Horned Frogs than vice versa. I think the Bears pull this one out and keep their College Football Playoff hopes at least marginally alive.

Final Score: Baylor Bears: 48, TCU Horned Frogs: 31

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