Baylor Football: 3 reasons the Bears defeat West Virginia

1. This matchup favors Blake Shapen more than JT Daniels

The statement does not mean Blake Shapen is a better quarterback than JT Daniels; the matchup favors Shapen more than Daniels. First, Baylor should successfully run the football against West Virginia’s defense. Kansas ran for 200 yards against the Mountaineers, and Baylor can do similar things on the ground as the Jayhawks.

Let’s be clear here; Blake Shapen is not nearly the runner Jalon Daniels is, but he can tuck at the mesh point and run effectively when the defensive end or outside backer crashes. Baylor will throw all three running backs at this West Virginia offense and attempt to force the Mountaineers to bring one of those safeties into the box to help the running game.

If that happens, Blake Shapen throws well against man coverage. Unlike West Virginia, Baylor has two vertical threats who can make big plays down the field in slot receivers Monaray Baldwin and Gavin Holmes; both receivers are averaging over 20 yards per reception this season, with Baldwin leading the Bears in receiving touchdowns.

Though the Bears’ defense will surrender the big play if they don’t get home with pressure, the Mountaineers don’t have the home run hitter to take advantage of that for an entire game.