How BYU Stacks Up With Baylor Heading Into Sneak Peek Of Big 12
Oct 15, 2021, 11:30 AM
(Scott G. Winterton/Deseret News)
WACO, Texas – The BYU football series against Baylor hasn’t been played since 1984. As a result, these two faith-based programs have only squared off against each other twice all-time. But that’s going to change moving forward.
This Saturday, a non-conference game in Provo in 2022, then Big 12 play starting in 2023 for BYU, these two teams will become familiar with one another.
Us too! 🥰@BUFootball concludes the league’s regular season non-conference action this weekend against future Big 12 member @BYUCougars. https://t.co/b5K6QudesV
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 12, 2021
BYU comes into this matchup with a 5-1 record and is ranked No. 19 in the AP Top 25 poll, No. 20 in the Coaches. Baylor has the same record in year two under head coach Dave Aranda. The winner of this game will secure bowl eligibility for the upcoming postseason this winter.
From a health standpoint, both teams are starting to get personnel back from injuries. For BYU, fullback/tight end Masen Wake has been practicing this week. He’s going to be a game-time decision for Saturday.
Quarterback Jaren Hall appeared to not be 100% during last week’s loss against Boise State as he was coming back from a ribs injury he suffered against Arizona State on September 18. However, this week, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said his starting QB is “completely healthy and ready to roll.”
For Baylor, wide receiver Kalon Barnes is questionable entering the game.
This matchup is fascinating when you consider how much institutional knowledge the two coaching staff’s have of each other. It could be one of those games where you throw the stats out the window because anything could happen.
Well, before you throw those numbers out completely. Here’s a statistical look at how BYU-Baylor stacks up against one another to get you ready for Saturday’s game.
BYU-Baylor Offenses
(NCAA rank)
Scoring Offense
16. Baylor 38.3
81. BYU 27.2
Total Offense
24. Baylor 461.3
66. BYU 404.2
Rushing Offense
16. Baylor 227.5
62. BYU 166.7
Passing Offense
62. BYU 237.5
68. Baylor 233.8
Red Zone Offense
T-26. BYU & Baylor 91.3%
First Downs Offense
T-42. BYU & Baylor 130
Time of Possession
85. BYU 28:56
104. Baylor 27:57
Defensive Rankings
Scoring Defense
21. Baylor 17.8
32. BYU 20.5
Total Defense
33. Baylor 320.7
60. BYU 367.7
Rushing Defense
50. BYU 129.5
66. Baylor 145.7
Passing Yards Allowed
15. Baylor 175.0
82. BYU 238.2
Team Passing Efficiency Defense
13. Baylor 108.5
50. BYU 124.6
Red Zone Defense
48. BYU 80%
94. Baylor 88.9%
First Downs Defense
75. Baylor 119
103. BYU 131
Individual Leaders for Baylor, BYU Football
Quarterbacks
BYU: Jaren Hall 73-of-122 for 863 yards with 8 TDs and three interceptions, 136.0 QB Rating
Baylor: Gerry Bohanon 96-of-145 for 1,332 yards with 11 TDs and zero interceptions, 168.4 QB Rating
Running Backs
BYU: Tyler Allgeier 121 carries 642 yards, 8 TDs
Baylor: Abram Smith 78 carries 597 yards, 7 TDs
Receivers
BYU: Gunner Romney 23 catches for 371 yards, 3 TDs
Baylor: Tyquan Thorton 27 catches for 463 yards, 5 TDs
Tackles
BYU: LB Ben Bywater 49 tackles
Baylor: LB Dillon Doyle 40 tackles
Sacks
BYU: OE Uriah Leiatua 2.5 sacks
Baylor DT Siaki Ika 2.5 sacks
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.