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TCU Horned Frogs vs Baylor Bears preview, predictions, betting odds, live stream info

By Cameron La Fontaine

Nov 30, 2013; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Josh Doctson (9) makes a catch for a touchdown in front of Baylor Bears cornerback Joe Williams (22) during the second half at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The Bears defeated the Horned Frogs 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2013; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Josh Doctson (9) makes a catch for a touchdown in front of Baylor Bears cornerback Joe Williams (22) during the second half at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The Bears defeated the Horned Frogs 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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TCU Horned Frogs vs. Baylor Bears

The Red River Rivalry is going on this weekend, but that’s not the biggest game that the Big 12 conference has to offer. This week, it’s the No. 9 TCU Horned Frogs who will travel to McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas to take on Bryce Petty and the No. 5 Baylor Bears in a top-10 match-up that could have major playoff implications. Both undefeated teams lead the Big 12 conference and only one will remain on top of the conference after this shootout.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014
Start Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Waco, Texas
Stadium: McLane Stadium
TV Info: FOX
Live Stream: FOX Sports GO
Radio: TCU: KTCU FM 88.7 / Baylor: 1660 ESPN Radio KRZI-AM

Keys to Victory

TCU is 4-0, coming off a huge victory against the Oklahoma Sooners 37-33, looks to continue it’s surge in the 2014 season and are aiming for their first Big 12 championship season. Senior quarterback Trevone Boykin gained a career-high 395 yards of offense on Saturday and guided TCU to its biggest Big 12 win so far. TCU is just an hour and a half down the road from Waco, and hopefully their fans will be able to make it seem like less of a home game for the Bears. TCU has had blowout victories in their first three games before taking out No. 4 Oklahoma last Saturday. Their offense isn’t necessarily their strong point though, ranked 83rd in the nation in total yards, compared to Baylor at eighth in total yards. Last season the TCU defense held Bryce Petty to just 206 yards through the air and their defense needs to hold him again if TCU has any chance at winning this game against the high powered offense.

Baylor has been continually impressive. Their offense ranks eighth in the nation behind Bryce Petty, one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. Baylor’s most impressive win came last week in a 28-7 win over Texas. Bryce Petty has thrown for over 1000 yards in the four games he’s started this season, but his completion percentage is his lowest ever. It finished at 62 percent last season and is at just 59.3 this season. TCU’s defense is not going to lay down. If Petty is errant, TCU will take advantage and Baylor needs to limit the turnovers over everything else. Baylor has the home field and needs to use that to their advantage. Baylor has the offensive power to win this game, but they need to keep control of the ball and hold lengthly possessions, weakening TCU’s skilled defense.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: BAYL -8.0
O/U: 66.0

Prediction

Baylor’s series with TCU dates to 1899, the Bears’ first season of football and when both private schools were located in Waco. They were later Southwest Conference rivals, and became league foes again in 2012 after the Frogs joined the Big 12. The series is tied 51-51-7, and they have split the two Big 12 games with both winning on the road. Baylor is going to break that tie with a close win on Saturday. Petty needs to improve especially with his accuracy, but the firepower on offense out-matches TCU. The Horned Frogs moved up 16 spots in the poll, setting up only the second top-10 matchup ever in Waco and it’s going to be an exciting one. But, the Bears win in a hard fought battle.

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