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Big 12 Football: Breaking down each title contender

By Andrew Tineo

STILLWATER, OK - OCTOBER 24: Tight end Jelani Woods #89 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys runs his way to a 34-yard touchdown on a catch against linebacker Mike Rose #23 and defensive back Datrone Young #2 of the Iowa State Cyclones in the first quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 24, 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - OCTOBER 24: Tight end Jelani Woods #89 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys runs his way to a 34-yard touchdown on a catch against linebacker Mike Rose #23 and defensive back Datrone Young #2 of the Iowa State Cyclones in the first quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 24, 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Advantage: Progression of the offensive line

The offensive line play has been a major factor behind Baylor’s success in 2021. Baylor’s rushing game was among the worst in college football. The leading rusher from last year had 197 yards on the season.

Senior running back Abram Smith had 188 yards this past week alone against BYU. Head Coach Dave Aranda made offensive changes during the offense and hired offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes and offensive line coach Eric Mateos, both from BYU.

The Bears have reaped the benefits, with among the best offensive lines in the conference. Baylor has four seniors along the offensive line and over three players with 18+ starts.

The offensive line has made a major impact on the running game and is the strength of the Baylor offense.

Converted linebacker to running back Abram Smith has 795 yards and 10 touchdowns through the first seven games. Smith graded out as the second-best running back in the country, according to CFB PFF.

A lot was well known coming into the year for Baylor, especially on the defensive side. However, the major stride the offensive line has taken this year makes the Bears’ ceiling even higher through the final five games of the season.

Weakness: Secondary

Although Baylor does not have a clear disadvantage yet, the Bears secondary did have a poor performance against BYU.

The Bears have been so consistent this year, that the most underwhelming aspect is a unit that ranks No.29 in the country in passing yards allowed.

Against the Cougars, Baylor gave up 342 yards through the air on a handful of chunk plays from Jaran Hall.

The Bears secondary has a plethora of experience but had a tough time handling the Cougars receivers. Baylor had a similar issue when facing against the tight end duo at Iowa State in Charlie Kolar and Chase Allen.

As shown above, tackling running backs has been a tall task, but the Big 12 has the deepest core of running backs in a long time, so it is expected to have many broken tackles.

If Baylor wants to play in Dallas in December, the secondary must clean up a few areas.

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