How BYU Stacks Up With Baylor Heading Into Sneak Peek Of Big 12

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.