BIG 12 Preview: No. 8 Baylor vs Texas
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No. 8 Baylor (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) at Texas (3-4, 1-3), 3:30 p.m.
Line: Baylor by 3.
Series Record: Texas leads 75-26-4.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Emotions will be high: Baylor is fighting to stay undefeated and stay on its march to a Big 12 title. Texas coach Charlie Strong is likely fighting to keep his job. Texas got a big upset in Waco last year, a game that had the teams nearly get into an on-field brawl.
KEY MATCHUP
Baylor offensive coordinator Kendal Briles vs. Strong. Briles, who kept his job at Baylor after his father was fired, has kept the Bears' offense humming. Strong took over defensive play-calling in midseason at Texas, but the Longhorns continue to get picked apart. If Briles can keep Strong's defense off-balance, it could be another long day for the Longhorns.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Baylor: RB Shock Linwood. Baylor's prolific offense starts with an inside running game powered by Linwood. Baylor's career rushing leader is just 38 yards shy of reaching 4,000 for his career. He's also Baylor's record holder for career rushing touchdowns with 36.
Texas: WR Devin Duvernay. The freshman was a Baylor signee out of high school, and then bolted to Texas when the program got caught up in the campus sexual assault scandal that led to Art Briles' firing. Duvernay has emerged as the Longhorn's best big-play threat of late.
He's only caught eight passes in the last three games, but three have gone for touchdowns of 63, 75 and 80.
FACTS & FIGURES
Texas is 3-4 after seven games for the third straight season under Strong. The first two finished 6-7 and 5-7 ... Longhorns RB D'Onte Foreman averages 143 yards rushing per game, No. 3 nationally.
Baylor is the only FBS program in the country to start each of the last four seasons 6-0.
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