Russell, Linwood lead No. 5 Baylor past Texas Tech 63-35

With the win against Texas Tech, the Bears opened their Big 12 campaign 1-0. It appears Las Vegas oddsmakers believe the same thing and expect this weekend’s game to be a historic scoring fest in Waco.

Texas Tech is 3-0-1 ATS as well as having the whole is 3-1 as easy gifts.

Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes II continued to make plays under duress. Texas Tech tried a Hail Mary from their own 30 but it was incomplete. No. 4 TCU defeated the Red Raiders 55-52 on September 26. TCU was a 5 point favorite and the total was 83.5.

USA Today writer Paul Myerberg was in attendance at the game last night and believes this iteration of the Baylor offense could be the best Art Briles has ever produced. The 28-point victory was their smallest margin of victory yet. After a Rice touchdown made it 42-17.

Baylor leads the nation at 64 points per game.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING: McCaffrey, who rushed for 206 yards against Oregon State, has yet to score a rushing touchdown in his career. The Baylor Bears are 3-1 and 3-1 against the spread.

For the first time since Robert Griffin III, the Bears have a quarterback who can be used as a part of the running game.

Texas Tech is outscoring teams 54-36 this season. “Grant is Mahomes’ favorite target in the Red Raiders’ offense”, analyzed NFL Media.

Twenty-eight points and 333 yards of offense – in the first quarter. The Red Raiders are #4 in both total and passing offense. Stanford ranks second in rushing defense and total defense. The Red Raiders are #116 or worse in all three categories. After being put on multiple preseason award lists and being thought of around the ranks as one of the toughest players in the country, it is safe to say that he is one of the most polarizing players in the game. Texas Tech has shown improvement in quality of play; it leads the Big 12 in fewest penalties and is third in turnover margin. The Red Raiders have forced 3 sacks and have allowed one this season. But a pair of untimely interceptions, two lost fumbles and three failed fourth-down conversions was too much for Texas Tech to overcome. His status for Saturday was uncertain after hurting his left knee against TCU, and wearing a brace to finish that game. He is a game time decision against Baylor. If Mahomes can’t play, experienced junior Davis Webb is waiting to take over. The first time the Mountaineers played Oklahoma as Big 12 foes, Geno Smith threw four touchdowns to Stedman Bailey in a 50-49 loss three years ago. He also has a rushing touchdown and threw a touchdown pass. Devin Lauderdale has 13 catches for 303 yards and 3 touchdowns. Ian Sadler has 15 catches for 204 yards and 2 touchdowns. “I don’t think we gave ourselves an opportunity to win the game like we did last week”.

Saturday’s win wasn’t Baylor at its best; this was Baylor at its very, very good.