Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: Defense must show up if OU is to win at Baylor

By Chip Rouse

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Charlie Brewer #12 of the Baylor Bears scrambles against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Baylor 66-33. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Charlie Brewer #12 of the Baylor Bears scrambles against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Baylor 66-33. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

Keys for a Baylor victory

College football experts have been critical of the Baylor offense for being up and down this season. The offense may have been a bit sporadic, but it has still managed to put up quite a few points (35.3, 27th best in the country) and 460 yards per game, which ranks 25th among FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) teams.

Baylor had to go two overtimes, however, to beat Texas Tech at home and two weeks later escaped being upset by West Virginia, winning by three points, 17-14. Last weekend at TCU, it took a 51-yard field goal that barely made it over the crossbar with 36 seconds remaining for Baylor to tie the game at 9-9 and send it to overtime. Three overtimes later, Baylor escaped with a 27-23 win.

Junior quarterback Charlie Brewer is the triggerman for the Baylor offense. which ranks in the middle of the pack in the Big 12, averaging 188 rushing yards and 271 through the air. Brewer has 16 touchdown throws and four interceptions this season and also has to be respected for what he can do with his legs.

When Brewer puts it in the air. he usually looks for senior wide receiver Denzel Mims, a 6-foot, 3-inch receiver who has 44 catches for 675 yards this season and has been the target on eight of Brewer’s 16 TD passes.

John Lovett and JaMycal Hasty alternate at the running back position, averaging 59 and 51 rushing yards a game, respectively.

The Baylor defense is one of the best in the Big 12 and the best the Sooners have faced this season. The Bears rank second in the Big 12 and 31st in the country, allowing opponents just 337 yards per game. They are seventh-best in the nation in pass defense efficiency and have allowed only seven touchdown passes all season.

Baylor is plus-six in the turnover department, which ranks 17th nationally, and nine of those are interceptions.

The Bears’ defensive front is one of the best in the country, especially against the run and putting pressure on the quarterback. Baylor leads the Big 12 with nine sacks through nine games, and will need to get to Jalen Hurts and not allow him to get out of the pocket, where he is the most dangerous.

Something fans won’t know about Baylor: In his first season as head coach at Baylor, Matt Rhule introduced a program recognizing the nine toughest players on the Bears’ roster. You will be able to identify them by jersey numbers one through nine.

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