No. 22 BYU is undefeated and visits Baylor trying to match the 2 Big 12 wins it had last year
BYU wide receiver Chase Roberts, bottom, makes the diving catch for a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Kansas State, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Provo, Utah. Credit: AP/Tyler Tate
No. 22 BYU (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) at Baylor (2-2, 0-1) Saturday, noon ET (FS1)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Baylor by 2 1/2.
Series record: Tied 2-2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
BYU will try to match the two Big 12 victories it had last season in its conference debut. The Cougars are coming off a 38-9 win over then-No. 13 Kansas State when they scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams for the first time since 1996. Baylor lost its league opener after Colorado completed a “Hail Mary” pass to end regulation and then forced a Bears fumble just short of the goal line in overtime. The Bears had lost nine in a row at home against FBS teams before their 31-3 win over Air Force two weeks ago.
KEY MATCHUP
BYU receiver Chase Roberts against the Baylor secondary. He had eight catches for 122 yards and a touchdown two years ago against in BYU's double-overtime win at home over the Bears. He leads the Cougars with 17 catches for 310 yards this season, including two 100-yard games. The Bears have allowed only 142 yards passing per game, but have only two interceptions.
Colorado running back Isaiah Augustave, center, is stopped after a short gain by Baylor linebacker Matt Jones, left, and safety Devin Lemear in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski
PLAYERS TO WATCH
BYU: QB Jake Retzlaff has thrown for 990 yards and nine touchdowns, and is also the Cougars' leading rusher with 103 yards.
Baylor: Sixth-year senior Matt Jones is again the team's leading tackler and ranks second in the Big 12 with 40 tackles (23 solo, 17 assists). The 246-pound linebacker is pretty much halfway to the team-best 82 tackles he had last season. He was a freshman during coach Matt Rhule's final season in 2019.
FACTS & FIGURES
Brigham Young wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) and quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) celebrate the scored touchdown in the end zone during an NCAA football game against Kansas St., on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 in Provo, Utah. Credit: AP/Tyler Tate
The Bears have lost eight consecutive games against Top 25 teams since the end of 2021, when their Sugar Bowl victory over Ole Miss made them 5-1 against ranked teams that season. ... BYU backup QB Gerry Bohanon was the Baylor starter three years ago in Waco, when he threw for 231 yards and a touchdown in a 38-24 win for Bears.
