Texas Longhorns Football: Five most important games in 2015

Oct 11, 2014; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver KD Cannon (9) catches a pass for a touchdown against the TCU Horned Frogs during the game at McLane Stadium. The Bears defeat Horned Frogs 61-58. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

2. December 5: Texas at Baylor (11-2, 8-1 in 2014)

Last Season: Baylor defeated Texas, 28-0, in Austin, TX

Last season, defensive coordinator Vance Bedford and the Texas defense did everything that was asked of them; they slowed down Art Briles’ patented high-octane offense, holding them to just 28 points. However, the Texas offense sputtered out, resulting in a shutout loss that dropped the Longhorns to 2-3 on the season.

Related: Baylor Season Preview and Prediction

This year, it’s hard to find where to start when dissecting Baylor’s offense. They lose receiver Antwan Goodley and quarterback Bryce Petty, but return 1,000 yard pass-catchers KD.Cannon and Corey Coleman. Seth Russell is set to replace Petty, and has proven to be a more-than-capable replacement: he passed for seven touchdowns in a romp over Northwestern State last year.

On defense, Baylor is led by man-child and internet hero Shawn Oakman, a 6’8″ behemoth who is one of the country’s premier pass-rushers. While defense certainly isn’t their strength, Oakman and other key returnees such as safeties Orion Stewart and Terrell Burt provide solid building blocks for a unit that only needs to be respectable for the Bears to contend.

Last year’s game saw Tyrone Swoopes pass for just 144 yards and throw two interceptions; this season, for the ‘Horns to pull off the upset on the road, either Swoopes or Jerrod Heard must rival the gaudy stats that Russell is sure to put up in the season finale.

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