The Daily Texan 2019-11-22 by The Daily Texan

T H E D A I LY TEXAN PRESENTS

Double Coverage VOL. 14 ISSUE 11 | NOV. 22, 2019

2 T

TEXAS VS. KANSAS

SENIOR NIGHT

SATURDAY, NOV. 23 | 7 P.M. GREGORY GYMNASIUM

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AL L F O R

T EXAS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

VS. SOUTHERN

SUNDAY, NOV. 24 • 1 P.M. F R A N K

E R W I N

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FREE ADMISSION WITH THE BIG TICKET!

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Friday, november 22, 2019

TEXAN

staff picks

MARCUS KRUM

WILLS L AY T O N

DONNAVAN SMOOT

MYAH TAY L O R

STEPHEN WAGNER

ALEX BRISEÑO

CLARK D A LT O N

DANIELA PEREZ

CAMERON PA R K E R

T E X A S AT N O. 1 4 B AY L O R

BAYLOR

TEXAS

BAYLOR

TEXAS

BAYLOR

TEXAS

N O. 8 P E N N S TAT E AT N O. 2 O H I O S TAT E

PENN STATE

OHIO STATE

K A S N A S S TAT E AT T E X A S T E C H

KANSAS STATE

N O. 2 5 S M U AT NAVY

SMU

NAVY

SMU

NAVY

SMU

N O. 2 1 O K L A H O M A S TAT E AT W E S T V I R G I N I A PITTSBURGH AT V I R G I N I A T E C H C A L I F O R N I A AT STANFORD

OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA STATE STATE STATE STATE STATE STATE STATE STATE PITTSBURGH

VIRGINIA TECH

STANFORD CALIFORNIA

VIRGINIA TECH

STANFORD

VIRGINIA PITTSBURGH TECH

VIRGINIA TECH

STANFORD CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIA STANFORD

OKLAHOMA STATE VIRGINIA TECH STANFORD

U C L A AT NO. 23 USC

USC

H O U S TO N AT TULSA

HOUSTON

TULSA

NO. 13 MICHIGAN AT I N D I A N A

MICHIGAN

LAST WEEK’S RECORD OVERALL RECORD

8–2 55–35

8–2 52–38

4–6 50–40

8–2 53–37

6–4 52–38

7–3 56–34

6–4 55–35

10–0 60–30

8–2 61–29

DOUBLE COVERAGE Double Coverage Editor Design Editor Photo Editor Copy Editor

Marcus Krum Maria Perez Joshua Guenther Megan Shankle

EDITOR’S NOTE Texas traveled to Ames, Iowa, last week and left their Big 12 Championship hopes there after falling to the Cyclones. It’ll take a miracle now for the Longhorns to recover the goal they’ve talked about all season long. It appears we’re looking at a team that’s closer to the Camping World Bowl than they are to playing for a conference title. This week still holds importance, though, as a win over Baylor could put Texas in position for a solid bowl game.

Writers Daniela Perez Donnavan Smoot Myah Taylor Stephen Wagner

Clark Dalton Wills Layton Cameron Parker

Marcus Krum, Double Coverage Editor

double coverage

BIG 12 power rankings By Marcus Krum

1. OKLAHOMA SOONERS You may not believe in magicians, but Sooner magic is as real as it gets. Graduate transfer quarterback Jalen Hurts played the part of Houdini last Saturday as Oklahoma escaped a 28-3 deficit in

Waco to remain on top of the rankings. Even pulling a rabbit out of a hat doesn’t get any respect from the Playoff Committee, though, and the Sooners are still sitting at No. 9.

3. IOWA STATE CYCLONES The Cyclones are always a tough team to beat in Ames, Iowa. They showed that last Saturday against Texas as they sent the Longhorns home empty-handed on a

game-winning field goal. Can Iowa State make the Big 12 Championship Game? Probably not. But they have a chance to set themselves up well for bowl season.

5. TEXAS LONGHORNS Talk about a heartbreaker. It doesn’t get much worse than the brutal loss the Longhorns suffered in Ames, Iowa. But the ending wasn’t the problem. The

Longhorns can’t find a way to get out to a good start. If this remains an issue against Baylor, Texas will be in for some trouble in Waco.

7. TCU HORNED FROGS TCU being ranked No. 7 displays just how deep the Big 12 really is. This is a team that beat Texas and nearly beat Baylor. Last week, however, the Horned

Frogs narrowly survived a Texas Tech second-half comeback in Lubbock, Texas. The Horned Frogs are still fighting for bowl eligibility with two games to go.

9. WesT VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS It was a good week to be a Mountaineer. After what’s been a disappointing season, West Virginia took down Kansas State in Manhattan, Kansas, last

weekend to keep its bowl hopes alive. It was a big win for a team that hadn’t yet found any spark in Big 12 play.

@marcuskrum

2. BAYLOR BEARS The Bears found themselves on the receiving end of an unreal comeback. Head coach Matt Rhule saw his team’s perfect season slowly slip away in the second half,

but don’t get it twisted: The Bears came to play against the Sooners, and they’re showing they’ll be around for a while.

4. OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS The Cowboys have now been ranked for two weeks in a row as they continue to pick up quality wins. A blowout victory over Kansas last Saturday has Oklahoma State

tied with Texas and Iowa State at 4–3 in conference play. Look for this team to give Oklahoma trouble as Bedlam hits Stillwater, Oklahoma, in two weeks.

6. KANSAS STATE WILDCATS In one of the strangest Big 12 losses of the season, the Wildcats fell to West Virginia last Saturday, 24-20. In just two weeks, Kansas State went from Big 12

Championship Game contention to a bottom-half conference team. The Big 12 will do that to you.

8. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS The Red Raiders just couldn’t dig themselves out of an early hole against TCU last week, so now it’ll take an improbable final push to go bowling. At 4–6, Tech is at

home against Kansas State before it travels to Austin for a Black Friday date with the Longhorns to finish the season.

10. KANSAS JAYHAWKS And here we are. After spending several weeks at the No. 9 spot, it’s back to a familiar place for the Jayhawks. It looked like Kansas would have some semblance of momentum

after toppling Texas Tech nearly a month ago. Since then, they’ve lost two games in which they scored a grand total of 23 points.

Friday, november 22, 2019

GAMES to watch By Clark Dalton | @Clarktdalton1T

no. 8 penn state at no. 2 ohio state 11:00 a.m., FOX

Throughout the season, the Buckeyes have been dubbed the most complete team in college football. But they still have yet to clinch a spot in the Big Ten Football Championship Game. This week they face a huge test against Penn State. The Nittany Lions have been a spoiler to the Buckeyes’ aspirations before, shocking them in 2016. This year Penn State is ready again and standing at

9–1. Sophomore running back Journey Brown is blossoming, coming off consecutive 100-yard performances. Nonetheless, the Buckeyes are nearly three-touchdown favorites. Ohio State is averaging 52 points a game while allowing only 10. Ohio State also gets junior defensive end Chase Young back after a two-game suspension, so it’s an uphill battle for the Nittany Lions in the Horseshoe.

no. 6 oregon at arizona state 6:30 p.m., ABC

Oregon is on the cusp of getting back to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2014. After dropping their first game to Auburn, the Ducks have raised their play, winning nine games in a row. Oregon has played with a nice balance on offense, passing for an average of 281 yards per game and rushing for 180

yards. Arizona State is only 5–5, but they have longterm potential. True freshman quarterback Jayden Daniels has played well, tossing 14 touchdowns. The Sun Devils are also one game away from bowl eligibility, which makes the possibility of upsetting Oregon even more stirring.

temple at n0. 19 cincinnati 6:00 p.m., ESPN2

The American Athletic Conference race continues to grow more interesting week by week as several teams rush to the finish line for a New Year’s Six bowl. One of these teams is Cincinnati. The Bearcats are 9–1 thanks to an offense that averages 205 yards

rushing per game. Temple is 7–3 and has flashes of greatness, but they still need one more win to build a stronger reputation in the AAC. Both teams have a high confidence level which could produce another great game in an intriguing conference.

no. 25 smu at navy 2:30 p.m., CBS

Former Texas quarterback Shane Buechele has found a home in Dallas. Buechele has transformed the Mustangs’ offense, throwing 28 touchdown passes. The newfound passing attack has opened up opportunities for other playmakers. Senior running back Xavier Jones and senior wide receiver James Proche have combined for 30 touchdowns. This week, the dynamic offensive trio faces off against Navy. The

Midshipmen are the antithesis of the Mustangs, and they play an old-school brand of college football. Navy runs a triple option offense that steamrolls over opponents for an average of 350 rushing yards per game. Opponents struggle to pass against Navy, averaging just 213 yards per game. The game marks an important turning point for SMU, since it will determine if they can succeed against their polar opposite.

no. 13 michigan at indiana 2:30 p.m., ESPN

The Wolverines have been on an emotional rollercoaster this season. Since their embarrassing loss to Wisconsin early in the season, they’ve won six of their last seven games. They’ve won their last three games by an average of 32 points. This week, however, a win might not come

easily in Bloomington, Indiana. The Hoosiers stood their ground against Penn State. Junior quarterback Peyton Ramsey threw for 371 yards. This could be a moment for Indiana, but it could also help Michigan earn momentum before a matchup against Ohio State.

BesT BETs for WEEK 13 By Cameron Parker

In what may be my final betting column for The Daily Texan, I want to thank my editors for publishing this column. To the people who read this column, hopefully I’ve made you more money than you’ve lost. As a reminder, I’m not an expert by any stretch of the imagination. I’m just a college student who watches too much college football and places bets he can’t afford — like most of y’all. This weekly column is where I will give you my best bets for the week in college football. I am not responsible for any money lost, so don’t request money from me on Venmo. Last Week: 2–2 Overall: 21–10 Texas at No. 14 Baylor(-5.5)

Well at least Texas covered, even if it means the program will finish the decade with 10 straight four-loss seasons. Both teams come into this game following demoralizing losses. The Bears have more to play for at this point, but how do you recover from blowing a 28-3 lead at home? The answer is you don’t — just ask Matt Ryan. The Longhorns still have a lot to gain this weekend with a victory. An upset victory in Waco will put the team back on the right trajectory. A loss would only make the shouts for coaching staff changes even louder. Herman has done a good job of getting his players to show up in big games, especially against ranked opponents. Now we get to see how Herman does in a game that will help define the season. Pick: Texas(+5.5)

Marquee Matchup of the Week No. 8 Penn State at No. 2 Ohio State(-18)

The smallest margin of victory for the Buckeyes this year? 24 points. Watch any Ohio State game and it’s just pure domination on both sides of the ball. This will no doubt be Ohio State’s toughest test so far. The only advantage Penn State seems to have is that this is an 11:00 a.m.

@camerondparker

kickoff instead of being the primetime game. The last time either team won by double digits was in 2015, when the then No. 1 Buckeyes won 38-10 at home, but I don’t expect another blowout. Pick: Penn State(+18)

Lock of the Week Boston College at No. 16 Notre Dame(-19)

Notre Dame might be the best team at winning games they’re supposed to win. The Fighting Irish always find a way to blow out teams and trick people into thinking they’re good. It’s why they made it to the College Football Playoff last year, and also why they made it to the 2013 BCS National Championship. Fortunately, the Playoff Committee has figured them out and currently has them at No. 16 with no shot of making it to the Playoff this year. In fact, barring a late-season breakdown, there’s a possibility we might see a Notre Dame and Texas matchup in the Camping World Bowl. Either way, Notre Dame has back-to-back blowout victories over Duke and Navy, and with a reeling Boston College coming into South Bend, Indiana, I sense another one coming. Pick: Notre Dame(-19) Degenerate Gambler Bet of the Week Nebraska(-5) at Maryland

With the Cornhuskers’ losing streak now at four games, I might be one of the few remaining people riding the Scott Frost bandwagon. Fortunately, that losing streak should come to an end this week against the mighty Terrapins, who just gave up 73 points to Ohio State and haven’t scored more than 20 points in a game since October. If the Nebraska program is barely alive, then the Maryland program was pronounced dead in September. Either way, one losing streak will end this week. Pick: Nebraska(-5)

double coverage

eddie gaspar

/ the daily texan staff

Senior defensive lineman Malcolm Roach looks to get past a blocker in Texas’ 37-27 loss to TCU on Oct. 26.

Senior offensive lineman Zack Shackelford looks to seal a run in Texas’ 27-24 win over Kansas tumultuous four years in the program.

The past and W the present: The legacy of the class of 2016

By Daniela Perez | @danielap3rez

hen senior defensive lineman Malcolm Roach and senior safety Brandon Jones came to the University of Texas in 2016, the program was in shambles. The storied Texas Longhorns had been searching for their first winning season since 2013, and their freshman season couldn’t have ended any worse. After Texas’ embarrassing, infamous loss to Kansas in November of 2016 — a loss that left Charlie Strong speechless in the postgame press conference — the paperwork had been sorted and the end of the Strong fiasco dawned into the Tom Herman era. The pair of 18-year-olds pressed on, managing the trials and tribulations brought upon by the Texas brand. The new schemes, the

teammates who came and went, the demanding fanbase and the disappointments along the way were a winding and brutal road, but they eventually culminated in a 10-win season, capped off by a Sugar Bowl win against No. 5 Georgia in 2018. However, that win in New Orleans, the highlight of the decade for the program, is in the past. Texas’ loss to Oklahoma this season ruined the Longhorns’ College Football Playoff chances, and their loss in Ames, Iowa, was the final dagger in their Big 12 hopes. The game ended two minutes before the final whistle when sophomore linebacker Joseph Ossai and Roach prematurely jumped over the line of scrimmage, drawing an offsides call, which allowed Iowa State to drain the clock to 0:04 before sending the

b w p u t s

a “ w c t u

Friday, november 22, 2019

ryam lam

/ the daily texan staff

State on Nov. 9. Shackelford is a part of the 2016 recruiting class that has had a

game-winning kick through the uprights. “Me and my class (have) been bouncing back from adversity, you know, since the day we stepped on this campus,” Roach said. “People told us not to come here, and people told us, ‘Your coach will be fired within a year’ type of things. So (we’re) just finding ways to stay strong.” Roach’s voice broke. “Just finding a way to stay strong and be there for one another.” At every home game in Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, fans are shown a cut of “Longhorns in the NFL,” a compilation of legends who once graced the turf in Austin. Many in the class of 2016 won’t be included in that reel, so these next two weeks are the last time they will be under stadium lights.

eddie gaspar

/ the daily texan staff

Junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger throws in front of senior offensive lineman Zack Shackelford in Texas’ 37-27 loss to TCU on Oct. 26.

Baylor and Texas Tech represent more than just the final two opponents for the seniors — they represent a four-year commitment that will not end in a New Year’s Six bowl game. “It’s tough, I think, because personally it’s been pretty hard on just the senior class as a whole,” Jones said. “Just because this is our last time being able to play. I will say this is the last time we will play a lot of these teams, so it’s different from that aspect of it.” Their teammates are equally disappointed. But the 2019 season isn’t over yet, and the Longhorns are determined to dedicate the rest of the season to the seniors. “We’ve got a lot of seniors that have been through a lot in this program,” Ehlinger said. “And it would be unfair to them for people to think, ‘Well, we

haven’t performed to the level that we should, so I’m just gonna give up.’ That’d be unfair to those guys that have worked so hard in this program.” This college football season is fleeting for players and fans alike. Two games from now, Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium will quietly fade into the campus landscape for nearly 10 months, leaving memories of the 2019 season in what has been a forgetful decade for this program. This season’s memories will likely peak in a strong outing against No. 1 LSU in Week Two and valley after the Longhorns’ poor performance against TCU. The beauty of this whole thing is simple: Fans and underclassmen will have another year for redemption, another Sugar Bowl, another Big 12 Championship Game and

the belief that Texas will finally return to its former glory. But for the class of 2016, it will start and end in a similar fashion, and all that will be left are their respective legacies. Even with these detours, their faith in the program is unbroken. And for Jones, there is a constant motivation to finish strong, especially with where this program was when the Class of 2016 found it. “I think we’ve been through a lot,” Jones said. “Obviously, our freshman year we were part of the team that didn’t make a bowl — from that (to) going to a bowl, and then going to the Sugar Bowl after that. We’ve been through a lot, we’ve seen a lot, and I think it has made us a lot stronger at the end. It just gives us a desire and confidence … that fuels us to want to fight.”

double coverage

texas By Wills Layton

If you listen closely, you can hear the sighs of Longhorn fans from across the country hanging in the air after last week’s loss to Iowa State. While Texas’ chances of reaching the Big 12 Championship Game are miniscule, the team can still get to nine wins this season. To get to that nine-win mark, though, the Longhorns will need to get past Baylor. Here’s how the game against the Bears could go:

@willsdebeast

wins if.... … the offense can perform in all four quarters.

The Texas offense was hard to watch during the first half against the Cyclones. The running game did everything it could to develop, and it failed at every turn. With the running backs and junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger providing just 54 yards on the ground, the offense had to rely on the passing attack to lead a comeback. That comeback was stopped short after Iowa State’s game-winning field goal killed the Longhorns’ hopes for the Big 12 title. If the Longhorns want any chance of beating a one-loss Baylor team on the road, the offense has to be able to perform for all four quarters, not just the final two.

joshua guenther

/ the daily texan staff

… the Longhorns play semblance of discipline.

with

some

This year’s Longhorn defense has been one of the most frustrating units in the last several years of Texas football. Injuries, inexperience and the occasional questionable play-call have all doomed the team at different times this season. The lack of discipline was on full display when Connor Assalley, an Iowa State junior kicker, lined up for a 42-yard field goal, only for several Texas defenders to gift the Cyclones a first down and the ticket to run out the clock with an offsides penalty. The penalty capped off 55 yards worth of penalties on the night. The week prior was even worse when the Longhorns committed 85 yards worth of penalties. If the Longhorns can prevent those types of mistakes, they will have a shot to knock off Baylor in Waco.

Junior offensive lineman Sam Cosmi (52), senior receiver John Burt (1), senior receiver Devin Duvernay (6) and senior receiver Collin Johnson (9) celebrate a Duvernay touchdown in Texas’ 45–14 win over Louisiana Tech on Aug. 31.

loses if.... … Charlie Brewer carves up the defense.

Baylor junior quarterback Charlie Brewer had his way with the Oklahoma defense in the first half of last week’s matchup. The Bears were able to drop 31 points on an OU team that limited Texas to 27 points by dominating defensively. If Brewer and the Bears play angry after the Sooners’ 34-31 comeback win, the Longhorns are in for a very rough afternoon. If the defense allows Brewer to repeat his performance, Texas will leave McLane Stadium without a win.

… the team does not play with energy.

Let’s face it. It’s hard for Texas fans to get excited for this Baylor game. There is little

on the table to play for other than an appearance in the Alamo Bowl over the Camping World Bowl. Fans are allowed to feel apathetic about the matchup, but if the players feel the same way, the game will be over before either team sets foot on the field. Texas has to play with pride and want to finish the season strong, or a motivated Baylor team will take advantage. After the loss in the Red River Rivalry game, the team looked lifeless the following week against Kansas. If the Longhorns respond to the loss to Iowa State in a similar way, there is no way they can win a game against a very talented team on the road. While the Big 12 Championship is out of reach, the team will have to continue to find reasons to fight.

eddie gaspar

/ the daily texan staff

Senior defensive lineman Malcolm Roach engages with a blocker in Texas’ 45-38 loss to LSU on Sept. 7. Roach has recorded 28 tackles and one sack in his final season.

Friday, november 22, 2019

OPPONENTS to watch By Myah Taylor | @t_myah

NO. 12

NO. 93

charlie brewer

james lynch

Quarterback

Junior quarterback Charlie Brewer has several ties to Texas football. Brewer’s grandfather, father and uncle all served as quarterbacks for the Longhorns. Needless to say, the Baylor gunslinger grew up a Texas fan. Once the Austin native began experiencing success at Lake Travis High School, including a 6A Division I State Championship his senior year, he hoped his hometown team would recruit him. Instead, the Longhorns opted for his in-town rival Sam Ehlinger. Despite Baylor’s struggles during the early years of Brewer’s tenure, he’s proven to be a talented quarterback. Brewer’s 18 touchdowns through the air and nine rushing scores compared to only five interceptions have contributed to the Bears’ prosperity this season. Expect Brewer to be a difference maker against Texas this weekend.

all photos copyright baylor athletics, and reproduced with permission

Defensive tackle

Call junior James Lynch a sack master. The defensive tackle’s 8.5 sacks on the season have helped make Baylor’s defense formidable. Meanwhile, Texas’ offense has become stale in the last couple of weeks as three-andouts become more common. One symptom of the Longhorns’ poor protection and offensive play-calling is the number of times Sam Ehlinger has been brought down — 26 times in 10 games. Lynch may up this total Saturday. However, the Round Rock, Texas, native does more than beat up on opposing quarterbacks. He’s also a skilled pass defender, recording two forced fumbles and two blocked kicks this season.

Texas’ chances of reaching the Big 12 Championship are now slim-to-none following a loss to Iowa State last weekend in Ames, Iowa. The odds that the 6–4 team is able to complete its preseason goals are very low, but its championship hopes aren’t completely dead. However, as Texas head coach Tom Herman says often, “Winning is hard,” and that will certainly be the case against a Baylor team that started the season 9–0. When Texas heads to Waco, Texas, for a matchup against the Bears, it will have to fend off a rigid defense and a dual-threat quarterback looking to prove his doubters wrong. Here are four Baylor players to watch Saturday against Texas:

NO. 5

NO. 99

denzel mims

bravvion roy

Wide receiver

For the first time in several weeks, the Longhorns will be up against a true threat at wide receiver. Senior Denzel Mims has snagged 10 touchdowns on 50 receptions this season, making 2019 his most efficient year yet. Mims’ 15.3 yards per reception and 767 yards through 10 games make him an explosive piece on the Baylor offense. The wideout’s size and speed may prove difficult to contain for the young Longhorn secondary.

RECYCLE your copy of

Defensive tackle

Senior Bravvion Roy is one part of Baylor’s dominant three-man line along with Lynch and redshirt senior James Lockhart. Roy has contributed to Baylor’s five blocked kicks with a blocked field goal against Iowa State. The defensive tackle’s 3.5 sacks have also upped the Bear’s sack total to 33 — a conference high — and he’s recorded a forced fumble. Texas’ offensive line better get ready. The Bears are coming.

Double coverage

HEISMAN WATCH

By Stephen Wagner @stephenwag22

rocky higine

/ the daily texan staff

It wasn’t the play of any Heisman contenders that made waves, a splash or any other oceanic analogy in our Heisman race. It was one injury that not only dramatically ended a player’s Heisman campaign, but shifted the whole Heisman conversation. With only two weeks left in the regular season, several of our candidates are still vying to secure their teams’ spot in the College Football Playoff with rivalry games and marquee matchups looming. However, after the aforementioned injury, one team is going to have to do it without their Heisman contender. Here’s the Week 13 update:

Tua Tagovailoa — Quarterback, Alabama

Alabama’s junior quarterback Tua Tagovailoa might go down in history as one of the best college football players to not win the Heisman. A year after the decision to award the Heisman to Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray, Tagovailoa stands to fall short yet again, this time to LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. With Tagovailoa sidelined indefinitely and his Heisman hopes dwindling, it appears his incredible championship-winning Alabama legacy has come to an end. But while Alabama’s championship hopes may have suffered a severe blow with the loss of Tagovailoa for the year, don’t write off the Tide just yet. Remember, head coach Nick Saban has won championships with Greg McElroy, A.J. McCarron and Cooper Bateman, only one of whom is in the NFL. Tagovailoa’s season may be over, but his legacy isn’t. Joe Burrow — Quarterback, LSU

With Tagovailoa out indefinitely with a hip injury, the Heisman is Burrow’s to lose. Barring consecutive dreadful performances against rival Arkansas or Texas A&M, Burrow’s unbelievable season appears to have firmly fastened his place as the best quarterback in LSU history. Burrow has all but secured a spot for LSU in the College Football Playoff.

But while Burrow seems a lock for college football’s most prestigious award, his upcoming game against Arkansas shouldn’t be overlooked. The Razorbacks haven’t won an SEC matchup since 2017, but, as we’ve seen this season, the hyper-competitive league poses upset opportunities weekly. As Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said following an upset loss to South Carolina, “When you play in the SEC, guys, every week you’ve got to be at your best because every team is 100% capable of out-physicaling you and outplaying you.”

Jalen Hurts — Quarterback, Oklahoma

Jalen Hurts and the Sooners avoided another upset this week, coming back from an early 28-3 deficit to knock off undefeated Baylor and take command of the Big 12. Hurts demonstrated the level of excellence he’s performed at all season, throwing for nearly 300 yards along with four touchdowns. However, with only two regular-season games remaining, Hurts is quickly running out of opportunities to catch front-runner Joe Burrow.

Justin Fields — Quarterback, Ohio State

Justin Fields and Ohio State’s season sounds like something from an ESPN “30 for 30” trailer: What if I told you that Ohio State would score 56 points on only 34 pass attempts? It seems improbable, but that’s the level of dominance Justin Fields and the Buckeyes have demonstrated all season. Saturday against Rutgers was no different. Incredibly, it marked the first time this season Fields has thrown for over 300 yards, but his remarkable efficiency has kept him in the Heisman conversation. Fields holds the second-highest quarterback rating in the FBS at 93.8, and he has increased his touchdown-interception ratio to 31-1. Fields may not be the Heisman front-runner, but his next two games against Penn State and Michigan are essential to building Ohio State’s Playoff résumé.

Friday, november 22, 2019

The Daily Texan spoke to DJ Ramirez, sports editor of The Baylor Lariat. By Marcus Krum @marcuskrum The Daily Texan: What were the emotions and attitude of the team like after the heartbreaking loss to Oklahoma?

think that the way they’ve been competing … they don’t want to be where they were in 2017.

DJ Ramirez: Honestly, it was something that they needed to face, you know. None of their wins have been pretty. To finally have (a tough loss) I think will probably do them some good. It’s just the way that it’s been turned around. I think they’re going to respond pretty well, especially with it being Senior Day. … They’re going to want to bounce back and they’re going to want to fight, and I think the way they’re working on things this week, just based off of interviews and the way that they carry themselves, I think they’re just very much focused on (the fact that) this is the last home game of the season. This is Texas. This is probably the second biggest game aside from that Oklahoma game.

DT: So looking at last year’s game, Texas came out and had one of their better defensive performances of conference play. How has (Baylor junior quarterback) Charlie Brewer changed this year, and how has he matured as a quarterback?

2020

DT: So just the fact that Matt Rhule has been able to turn this from a 1–11 team to a potential Big 12 Championship team in just a couple years is pretty amazing. What do you think has been the key in him being able to have such a quick turnaround?

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DR: We actually just wrote a story on the last decade of Baylor’s athletics and how that’s unfolded. And what Matt Rhule brought to the table, you know. He had a lot of successes at Temple in such a short amount of time as well. … And he’s really taken a lot of steps to bring all of his players together. Every day … he will see each of his players at some point in the day and talk to them about things that’s not even just football.”

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DR: A lot of the guys that are on the field now were sophomores (or) freshmen that first year that (head) coach (Matt) Rhule got here when they won one game. And so I think they just want it really badly. They all talk about it throughout the course of the season. It’s a fourth quarter team, and obviously the defense has stepped up quite a bit from the past couple of years … they’re playing at a whole different level. To hold Oklahoma to 10 points in the first half is just crazy. … I think that it’s just that mentality of, “You’ve got to get back up and you’ve got to get back out there because we’ve been a 1–11 team before.” So I

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DT: The way that (Baylor has) been able to pull out all these wins and close games, what do you think is different about this team this year that’s allowed them to have that winning mentality down the stretch?

DR: I think his passing has gotten a whole lot better. And it’s strange to think of him as an (elite) passing quarterback because Charlie Brewer can run like no one else I’ve seen. … I just think (he’s) older now. He’s learned from his past two years here. … And he’s not a very talkative guy. He’s in the mindset that he just wants to get his business done. But yeah, I think his passing has gotten quite a bit better, especially with having such a wide variety of wide receivers to throw to. It’s not just (senior receiver) Denzel Mims anymore.

Notes from the opponent

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