It wasn't the way Baylor thought it would happen a month ago, but at long last, Art Briles and the No. 9 Baylor Bears have their Big 12 championship with a 30-10 victory over the Texas Longhorns.
Texas vs. Baylor 2013 final score: Bears take Big 12 with dominant defense, 30-10
Baylor is off to the Fiesta Bowl after taking care of business against an overmatched Texas team.
Baylor clamped down on the vaunted Texas offense, holding the Longhorns to just 217 total yards and harassing Case McCoy into one of his worst performances as a starter (and, um, that's saying something): 12-31 passing for 54 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Yes: 54 yards on 31 attempts. That is horrendous.
There’s really no telling what’s next for Mack Brown at Texas; certainly, outgoing AD DeLoss Dodds isn’t in the mood to talk about it:
In a crowded elevator, a Baylor fan asks DeLoss Dodds "Mack's safe win or lose, right?" DeLoss deadpans "I'm not the AD anymore."
— Matt Mosley (@mattmosley) December 7, 2013
But that’s a question for another day. For now, Baylor can celebrate its wholly earned ascension to the top of the Big 12. In a conference that still boasts traditional powers like Texas and Oklahoma, that is a major accomplishment. It’s not a national title bid, but maybe that’s coming next year. Hey, you rule it out.
Box Score Hero: Even in a relatively quiet game, Bryce Petty still racked up 287 yards and two scores on 21-for-37 passing. Most quarterbacks would love a line like that. Most.
Rankings Ramifications: Baylor’s victory cements the Bears in the Top 10 and with Oklahoma State essentially handing the conference to Baylor, a ranking commensurate with the conference title will be in order. Look for a move up to No. 7.
But Did They Cover? Baylor was favored by as many as 17 points. That’s a coverin’.
For More On This Game: For more on Horns football, visit Texas communities Burnt Orange Nation and Barking Carnival. For more on Bears football, visit Baylor community Our Daily Bears, plus SB Nation Dallas.
Next Week’s Schedule: Baylor is off to the Fiesta Bowl to face, in all likelihood, UCF. Texas will likely fall to the Alamo Bowl to face... oh god, Oregon? Oh god.
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