Friday, October 10, 2014

Something Old ... A Lot New

I’ve had to correct myself several times this week as I’ve thought about this week’s game at Baylor.

In my mind’s eye, I’ve been picturing the old Baylor Stadium — Floyd Casey Stadium to those born after 1990 — and I caught myself. We’re not going back there, we’re going to some place new — in more ways than one.

We’re going to the brand new McLane Stadium and things are different. Much.

The Frogs and the Bears are going to celebrate the Big 12’s first conference game in the new football palace on the Brazos. New.

The Frogs and Bears meet for the 110th time, but for the first time ever as Top 10-ranked teams. (In fact, in all the meetings between the Frogs and Bears, this year is the first time both teams enter the game ranked.) What’s old is new.

For the first time in my life, Baylor-TCU has taken top-billing over Texas-OU or any other game in this part of the country. Grandpa, are you sure??? New.

The Frogs-Bears matchup features the top two scoring offenses in the Big 12 and the top two scoring defenses in the Big 12. No wonder ESPN's College Football bus visited both campuses in the last 24 hours. Are there any SWC old-timers believing this day has come? NEW.

One thing that’s not new is that the winner of “The Holy War,” “Battle on the Brazos,” “McBattle of McClennan County at McLane,” or whatever you want to call it, will be the team that is most physical and plays the best defense.

Baylor has suddenly become a run-first team, staying on the ground 58 percent of the time through five games. Now, Art Briles may have magic pass plays stashed aside just for the Frogs, but I think there’s something to it.

Baylor’s been a ground team — but why? Bryce Petty has one of the best arms in the country and a fleet of wideouts that have been hand-picked. What am I missing?

Nonetheless, the Frogs front six will definitely be tested and Baylor has a variety of backs to do just that.

But I still harken back to that 2011 game when Baylor came out bombing TCU, and, after watching the OU video of TCU’s early struggles covering Sooner WR Sterling Shepard, who could blame the Bears if Baylor comes out flinging?

One thing’s for sure: The Frogs have to be good from the opening verse as Baylor has scored at least 31 points in the first half in four of their five games. The Frogs need stops early.

And a continuation of the hot offensive output that has seen the Frogs score on their opening possession in all four games.

It’s only 89 miles between campuses. Don’t be surprised if there are 89 points between these two teams Saturday.

And watch out for the DPS Troopers on I-35W in Itasca.

Kick ‘Em High!

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