Baylor vs. TCU Prediction, Game Preview

It’s not exactly the showdown it looked like it might be going into the season, and it’s a lot to ask for the same sort of classic it turned into last season, but it’s still a big deal in the Big 12 title chase. The quarterbacks are hurt, Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State might be bigger, and these aren’t the juggernauts they were supposed to be, but it’s still going to affect the College Football Playoff world. Check out the Baylor (9-1) vs. TCU (9-2) prediction and game preview.

Baylor vs. TCU Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Friday, November 27
Game Time: 7:30 pm
Venue: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX

Network: ESPN

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Why You Need To Care

Can Baylor turn into last year’s Ohio State and get hot over the last few games of the year with a third-string quarterback? With starter Seth Russell (neck) and backup Jarrett Stidham (ankle) out – Stidham might be back for the bowl game – now it’s down to Chris Johnson to lead the way for a team looking for a third straight Big 12 title.

The Oklahoma loss takes the One True Champion destiny side out of Baylor’s hands, but there can’t be a worry about that this week. First things first – build off of the 45-35 win at Oklahoma State, beat TCU impressively, beat Texas in a blowout, and then at 11-1 the argument could be made that the Bears deserve a spot in the College Football Playoff no matter what.

TCU might be out of the Big 12 title chase, and it might end up slotted as the No. 4 team in the Big 12, but a win could turn into a possible New Year’s Six game. After losing to Oklahoma despite a valiant comeback attempt – missing on a two-point conversion try late – and with the 49-29 loss to Oklahoma State and the close call against Kansas, the Horned Frogs been limping through November. A win over Baylor – and ruining its season – would be a big dose or payback after last year’s tough loss that cost the Horned Frogs a shot at the playoff.

Why Baylor Will Win

Does TCU have anyone left? QB Trevone Boykin is expected to play, but the team has been decimated by injuries and is a shadow of its former self. The secondary has done a solid job overall considering the problems, but hot quarterbacks have been able to crank up big numbers. Baker Mayfield was fantastic for Oklahoma last week before getting hurt, Oklahoma State quarterbacks threw for 375 yards and five scores, and the Horned Frogs have been hit for 203 passing yards or more in four of the last five games. It doesn’t matter who’s at quarterback – the Baylor passing game will work.

Why TCU Will Win

Trevone Boykin. If he really is back and able to go at anywhere near the same level he was at before getting knocked out during the Kansas game, he’s the different. He’s the Heisman-caliber talent, he’s the veteran leader in his final game with the motivation and ability to finish up on a roll. He might not have Josh Doctson to throw to, and he might be coming off a four-pick game two weeks ago against Oklahoma State, but he threw for 300 yards or more seven straight games before the win over the Jayhawks, and hit the 400-yard mark in four of those games. If this gets into a wild shootout, he’s the difference-maker. He’s the advantage. But …

Player Who Matters

It’s not like Chris Johnson is coming in cold. The 6-5, 235-pound sophomore got in a little bit of work last year, and last week he stepped in and almost pulled off the comeback win completing 5-of-10 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns with a pick. A terrific recruit with size, athleticism, and the right arm, he’s got a shot now to make his claim to being a bigger part of the mix next year. He might be third behind Russell and Stidham in the mix, but it he blows up against TCU and Texas – and if he gets the shot in whatever bowl game the teams ends up in – this will be an interesting offseason.

What’s Going To Happen?

Johnson will throw for 400 yards and the Baylor offense will keep on rolling, but Boykin will be brilliant. TCU might not have the horses, and it doesn’t have the depth, but it’s going to be an insane shootout that closes out with a Boykin scoring drive for the big win.