FACTS & STATS: Site: Floyd Casey Stadium (50,000) -- Waco, Texas. Television: Fox Sports Net. Home Record: WSU 0-1, Baylor 1-1. Away Record: WSU 0-0, Baylor 0-0. Neutral Record: WSU 0-1, Baylor 0-0. Conference Record: WSU 0-1, Baylor 0-0. Series Record: Baylor leads, 3-2.
GAME NOTES: The Washington State Cougars will once again try to crack into the win column when they head to Waco, Texas to take on the Baylor Bears in a non- league affair. The Cougars have struggled to open the season, losing to Oklahoma State (39-13) and California (66-3). Washington State has not enjoyed much success against the Big 12 over the years, posting a mere 12-26 ledger against schools from that conference. Following this matchup, the Cougars return home to battle Portland State. As for the Bears, they opened the season with a 41-13 loss to ACC foe Wake Forest before rebounding to post a convincing 51-6 win over Northwestern State. The win snapped a nine-game losing skid for Baylor. Since 2000, the Bears have done well against non- league competition, posting a 14-4 ledger. With respect to the all-time series between these two teams on the gridiron, Baylor is clinging to a 3-2 edge.
The Cougars were extremely ineffective in their recent loss to Cal, as they racked up just 167 total yards, including 57 rushing yards on 35 carries (1.6 ypc). The passing attack was just as poor, as Gary Rogers completed just 10- of-21 passes for 78 yards. The signal caller also tossed two interceptions in the loss and was sacked once. Rogers has been atrocious to start the season, completing a mere 48.9 percent of his passes, while tossing one touchdown against three interceptions. The team is just two games into the 2008 campaign, but it is evident that the Cougars need help offensively as they are averaging just 181.5 total ypg. Washington State has committed five turnovers already this season, and has been horrendous on third down, converting a meager 3-of-26 chances.
The defense has been just as bad, as the Cougars have been dismantled for 52.5 ppg and 436.0 total ypg. The main problem for WSU has been its inability to stop the run, as opponents are averaging a whopping 282.5 ypg on the ground. In the loss to Cal, the Cougars were pounded up front for 391 rushing yards on an eye-popping 9.8 ypc. Overall, the defense allowed the Golden Bears to rack up 505 total yards, and 20 first downs. Washington State forced just one turnover in the loss, and finished with zero sacks and allowed Cal to convert on all five of its red zone chances. Kendrick Dunn led the way for the Cougars with eight tackles, while Greg Trent added five stops.
After scoring just 13 points in the season-opening loss to Wake Forest, the Bears raised their game up a level and pounded Northwestern State. Baylor had its way on the ground and through the air, rushing for 207 yards, while throwing for another 330 yards. The offense collected 25 first downs and was an outstanding 8-of-11 on third down. Jay Finley rushed for 91 yards and scored two touchdowns on just eight totes, while Jeremy Sanders and Robert Griffin rumbled for 43 and 42 yards, respectively. Griffin also threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns on 15-of-19 passing. Griffin has been solid under center thus far, completing 68.4 percent of his passes while throwing for 419 yards. Griffin is also second on the team with 71 rushing yards and has scored twice on the ground. Overall, the Bears are averaging a respectable 393.5 total ypg and have been successful on 43 percent of their third down attempts.
Although the Bears are 1-1 on the season, the defense has been solid in limiting the opposition to 283.0 total ypg. Where the defense has really performed well is against the run, as it is holding teams to just 104.0 ypg on a mere 2.6 ypc. Baylor has been able to make big plays as well, forcing four turnovers while collecting five sacks. In the recent victory over Northwestern State, the Bears were outstanding in limiting he Demons to just 190 total yards. It was Baylor's best defensive effort since holding Arkansas State to 172 total yards back in 2001. Baylor stymied Northwestern State's running game, holding the Demons to just 52 yards on 1.4 ypc. The Bears also forced two turnovers in the win and recorded four sacks as well. Joe Pawelek led the way with 10 tackles, while Antonio Jones added eight stops and one sack.
Washington State has major problems in all facets of the game, and since the Bears have been extremely impressive defensively, expect the Cougars to have more trouble trying to put points on the board.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Baylor 27, Washington State 13
Game Date and Time
Saturday, September 13th, 12:30 p.m. (et).
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