No. 13 Baylor Still Big 12 Contender, Faces TCU
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TCU (4-4, 2-3 Big 12) at No. 13 Baylor (6-1, 3-1), 3:30 p.m. (Fox)
Line: Baylor by 8.
Series record: Tied 52-52-7.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Baylor's playoffs hopes are in bad shape after its first loss, but the Bears still control their fate for a third Big 12 title in four seasons. TCU has consecutive losses for the first time since 2013, and needs two wins for bowl eligibility. The last three games in the series have been decided by a total of 13 points, including the double-overtime win by TCU last season and Baylor's epic comeback to win 61-58 two years ago.
KEY MATCHUP
Baylor's rushing game vs. TCU defense. The Bears have more yards rushing than passing with the RB trio of Terrance Williams, Shock Linwood and JaMycal Hasty, and QB Seth Russell. All four average 6 yards per carry, and Baylor piles up 299 yards per game on the ground. TCU gives up less than half that -- 147 yards rushing per game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
TCU: LB Travin Howard leads the Big 12 with 88 tackles overall. He is averaging 12.8 tackles per game, and has at least 10 in each of the last five games.
Baylor: CB Ryan Reid has three interceptions the last two games, matching his career total his previous 36 games. His 29 career starts are tied with Linwood, the school's career rushing leader, for third-most on the team.
FACTS & FIGURES
The series is the most-played for both schools, and started with a scoreless tie in 1899.
Gary Patterson coaches his 199th game at TCU, only two short of Dutch Meyer's school record. Patterson is already the winningest coach with 147 wins, 38 more than Meyer. Four of TCU's last 10 games have gone to multiple overtimes.
Baylor WR KD Cannon has caught a pass in all 32 of his career games, the longest active streak in the Big 12.
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