The second-ranked Baylor Bears (5-0, 2-0 in the Big 12) prepare for their toughest test of the season thus far when the West Virginia Mountaineers (3-2, 0-2) come to McLane Stadium.
How to watch West Virginia vs. Baylor on TV or online, plus 3 things to know
Baylor welcomes its toughest opponent to date, the West Virginia Mountaineers.
John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
The Bears are maybe the nation's most dominant offense, averaging a whopping 64 points per game and 9.09 yards per play. They lead the country in points and yards, have the best passing and rushing success rates and are second in offensive S&P+. Junior quarterback Seth Russell leads the Big 12 with 22 passing touchdowns and has another four on the ground, while tailback Shock Linwood leads the league in rushing at 719 yards and yards per carry at a ridiculous 9.59.
West Virginia has a reputation for big offense, but the defense has carried them this season with the nation's fourth-best success rate, 14th overall in S&P+. The offense has still been respectable at 36 points per game, led by quarterback Skyler Howard, the Big 12's fifth-rated passer and tailback Wendell Smallwood, who is second in rushing yards per game at 117.8.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: Saturday, noon ET, FOX
Radio: Baylor, West Virginia
Online streaming: FOX Sports Go
Spread: Baylor is favored by 18 points.
Make friends: ‘Eers can chat about the game over at the Smoking Musket, and Baylor fans can get everything they need from Our Daily Bears.
Three big things to know
1. Bears down?
The Bears have made their reputation largely at the expense of a schedule that is...well, bad. But WVU is actually ranked ahead of the Bears in S&P+, and is the team’s first opponent in the top-25 in Bill Connelly’s metric. The ‘Eers handed Baylor their only regular season loss a year ago as well.
2. On the decline
WVU's had a rough losing streak following a hot start and a season-ending injury to safety Karl Joseph, who was a huge cog in their defense. They gave up 44 to Oklahoma and followed that up with 33 to Oklahoma State. Baylor probably isn't the best offense to try and get right against.
3. Grind those ‘Eers
You think Baylor, you think quarterbacks and passing. RG3, Nick Florence and then Bryce Petty all putting up huge numbers. And of course they still lead the Big 12 in touchdown passes this season. But they also average 357 rushing yards per game. Three running backs have at least 350 yards on the season and Baylor has 15 runs of 20 yards or more on the season, the most in the conference.
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