BYU football will welcome Baylor into LaVell Edwards Stadium this Saturday without a margin of error as the Cougars attempt to maintain their standing for a potential College Football Playoff at-large bid, according to a November 13 report by the Daily Herald.
The Cougars currently cling to an at-large bid to the College Football Playoff following losses to UCF and Utah. While the College Football Playoff committee considers a two-loss team worthy of a bid, BYU's path involves a hectic final three weeks of the season. The Cougars also maintain an outside chance to return to the Big 12 Conference Championship game, though they may require assistance from other results, such as Oklahoma State defeating Texas Tech on Saturday night.
BYU faces a rejuvenated Baylor team that recently replaced head coach Dave Aranda with defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman. Under Klanderman, the Bears secured a 41-9 win over UCF and a 42-31 victory over Iowa State. BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick noted that Baylor possesses the number one defense in the league in points per possession and the best red zone defense in the league. Roderick specifically highlighted the depth and quality of Baylor's defensive line.
Offensively, BYU looks to improve its run game, which has seen decreased production over the last three weeks. While LJ Martin returned in a game against Utah, his production was not at his usual levels. BYU also looks to quarterback Bear Bachmeier to bounce back following a four-interception performance against the Utes. Defensive coordinator Poppinga noted that the team must prepare for Baylor's offense, which features dual-threat quarterback DJ Lagway and receiver Gavin Freeman, who has recorded 69 receptions for 852 yards and three touchdowns this year.
The matchup comes after a period of significant shifts for both programs. Baylor's recent defensive success follows the coaching change two weeks ago, while BYU's recent struggles include a loss to Utah where the Utes scored touchdowns on their first two possessions.
