By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
SicEmSports continues its look at Baylor’s 2022 opponents. Game 5 is the Big 12 home opener against Oklahoma State. This is a rematch of the heart stopping 21-16 Bears victory in the 2021 Big 12 championship game this past December. It was the second of two meetings at Oklahoma State won the first meeting, 24-14, in Stillwater, OK.
The Cowboys are coming off a very strong season in which they rallied to win their NY6 game against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. They were picked third in the Big 12 preseason media poll.
Opponent:
Head Coach: Mike Gundy (149-69, 18th season)
2021 Record: 12-2, 8-1 (Lost to Baylor in Big 12 championship game, 21-16; d. Notre Dame in Fiesta Bowl, 37-35)
Conference Affiliation: Big 12
Record vs. Baylor: Oklahoma State leads, 22-19
Returning Starters: 7 offense, 5 defense
Offensive Formation: One-back
Defensive Formation: 4-3
Key Returners: QB Spencer Sanders, RB Dominic Richardson, DE Collin Oliver, DE Trace Ford, DB Jason Taylor
The Cowboys will be good enough to challenge for the Big 12 championship. But they are going to have to start over at the skill positions in terms of playmakers at running back and wide receiver.
Gone is Jaylen Warren who rushed for more than 1,200 yards in 2021. The passing game may turn to Brennan Presley who was the No. 2 receiver in 2021.
What the offense really comes down to is how effective Sanders can be on a weekly basis. He can be really good. Witness his performance against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. And as shown in his two games against Baylor – seven interceptions – he can be really bad.
Should he find the consistency, that should tell the Cowboys’ story. However, his consistency could be predicated by how effectively Oklahoma State runs the football.
Defensively, the Cowboys have a new defensive coordinator in former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason. They also welcome JUCO LB transfer Xavier Benson who played JUCO ball in 2021 after leaving Texas Tech. He should compliment a solid defensive front led by Oliver and Ford.
The pass rush could be key because the secondary is so young. That’s where Taylor needs to be a leader for that group. Benson’s arrival is important because the Cowboys need a good one to control the middle.
2022 Schedule
Sept. 1 vs. Central Michigan
Sept. 10 vs. Arizona State
Sept. 17 vs. UAPB
Oct. 1 at Baylor
Oct. 8 vs. Texas Tech
Oct. 15 at TCU
Oct. 22 vs. Texas
Oct. 29 at Kansas State
Nov. 5 at Kansas
Nov. 12 vs. Iowa State
Nov. 19 at Oklahoma
Nov. 26 vs. West Virginia
Publisher
SicEmSports continues its look at Baylor’s 2022 opponents. Game 5 is the Big 12 home opener against Oklahoma State. This is a rematch of the heart stopping 21-16 Bears victory in the 2021 Big 12 championship game this past December. It was the second of two meetings at Oklahoma State won the first meeting, 24-14, in Stillwater, OK.
The Cowboys are coming off a very strong season in which they rallied to win their NY6 game against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. They were picked third in the Big 12 preseason media poll.
Opponent:
Head Coach: Mike Gundy (149-69, 18th season)
2021 Record: 12-2, 8-1 (Lost to Baylor in Big 12 championship game, 21-16; d. Notre Dame in Fiesta Bowl, 37-35)
Conference Affiliation: Big 12
Record vs. Baylor: Oklahoma State leads, 22-19
Returning Starters: 7 offense, 5 defense
Offensive Formation: One-back
Defensive Formation: 4-3
Key Returners: QB Spencer Sanders, RB Dominic Richardson, DE Collin Oliver, DE Trace Ford, DB Jason Taylor
The Cowboys will be good enough to challenge for the Big 12 championship. But they are going to have to start over at the skill positions in terms of playmakers at running back and wide receiver.
Gone is Jaylen Warren who rushed for more than 1,200 yards in 2021. The passing game may turn to Brennan Presley who was the No. 2 receiver in 2021.
What the offense really comes down to is how effective Sanders can be on a weekly basis. He can be really good. Witness his performance against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. And as shown in his two games against Baylor – seven interceptions – he can be really bad.
Should he find the consistency, that should tell the Cowboys’ story. However, his consistency could be predicated by how effectively Oklahoma State runs the football.
Defensively, the Cowboys have a new defensive coordinator in former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason. They also welcome JUCO LB transfer Xavier Benson who played JUCO ball in 2021 after leaving Texas Tech. He should compliment a solid defensive front led by Oliver and Ford.
The pass rush could be key because the secondary is so young. That’s where Taylor needs to be a leader for that group. Benson’s arrival is important because the Cowboys need a good one to control the middle.
2022 Schedule
Sept. 1 vs. Central Michigan
Sept. 10 vs. Arizona State
Sept. 17 vs. UAPB
Oct. 1 at Baylor
Oct. 8 vs. Texas Tech
Oct. 15 at TCU
Oct. 22 vs. Texas
Oct. 29 at Kansas State
Nov. 5 at Kansas
Nov. 12 vs. Iowa State
Nov. 19 at Oklahoma
Nov. 26 vs. West Virginia
