Texas travels to Baylor to close its 2015 season and the Longhorns need a win over the Bears to avoid ending the year with a three-game losing streak and a 4-8 record. No matter what happens, the Horns will have taken a step back in Year 2 under Charlie Strong, at least in terms of record. It seems like a sure thing that changes are coming to the coaching staff, particularly on offense.
How to watch Texas vs. Baylor on TV or online, plus 3 things to know
The Longhorns and Bears will finish their 2015 regular season with a game that doesn’t mean much.
Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Baylor is not in such dire straits like Texas, but it also can’t help but feel disappointed with how its season has ended. The Bears were primed for the College Football Playoff, but they’ve lost two of their last three games during a heavily back-loaded Big 12 schedule. In a matter of weeks, Baylor went from CFP favorite to totally out.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: Noon ET, ESPN
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Spread: Baylor is favored by 20.5 points
Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at Burnt Orange Nation and Barking Carnival for Texas fans and Our Daily Bears for Baylor fans.
Three big things to know
1. What’s left to play for? Texas can’t go to a bowl game. Baylor is out of the running for both the Big 12 championship and a College Football Playoff berth. A win over Baylor in the season finale could go a long way towards quelling hot seat talk around Strong, even if it won’t do away with it entirely. And for Baylor, a loss to Texas would really put a bitter ending on what was supposed to be its year to shine.
2. Is anyone healthy for Texas? It's crazy that the team playing its third-string quarterback will be the one with the much better injury situation, but it goes to show that's how bad things have gotten for the Horns. They're the walking wounded at this point, and while Jerrod Heard was cleared to practice, Tyrone Swoopes will start at quarterback.
3. Can Texas run the ball and play keep away? Assuming this game won't be played in a hellacious freezing rainstorm, one would expect Baylor to put up some points, even with Chris Johnson starting at quarterback. If Texas can replicate its rushing performance against Texas Tech (48 carries for 403 yards and six touchdowns), that would go a long way towards keeping the ball out of Baylor's hands. The Bears' defense is much, much better than the Red Raiders', so that will be a tougher task this week.
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