The No. 10 BYU Cougars are preparing to face the Baylor Bears this Saturday, Nov. 14, following a 28-20 loss to No. 2 Utah that impacted the team's postseason aspirations. An updated depth chart released by BYU athletics shows running back LJ Martin returning to the top of the lineup for the Week 11 matchup.
Focus on Baylor Matchup
The loss to Utah marked the Cougars' second defeat of the season, yet the team remained ranked at No. 10 in the latest College Football Playoff Rankings. The upcoming game against Baylor, which has won two consecutive games since firing head coach Dave Aranda, presents a significant challenge for the BYU offense.
Offensive Adjustments Required
Offensive lineman Bruce Mitchell said the team is focused on preparing for Baylor as if the matchup were a one-game season. Mitchell noted the necessity of improving the run game to increase offensive efficiency and ease the pressure on sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier.
Bachmeier, who threw four interceptions during the loss to Utah, is expected to bounce back against the Bears. Mitchell expressed confidence in the quarterback's character and stated that a stronger run game would allow for more efficient passing.
Martin Returns to Lineup
A major development in the updated depth chart is the return of LJ Martin to the starting running back position. Martin, the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, has been working toward full health after an ankle injury sustained on Oct. 3 at TCU.
In the previous game against Utah, Martin was not at 100% and recorded 19 rushing yards on seven carries. Head coach Sitake indicated that Martin's workload is expected to increase against Baylor.
Defensive Personnel Updates
The updated roster also sees the return of cornerback Evan Johnson. Johnson had been managing a lower body injury following a double overtime loss to UCF on Oct. 24.
Game Information
The matchup between BYU and Baylor is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, with a kickoff time of 3:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on FOX.
