Big 12 football: Baylor-West Virginia game might be a shoot-out
Defense will be a key for both teams. “If you play just OK against an offense like Baylor, then you're probably not going to have enough points to win,” said West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen.
Former Oklahoma State special teams coach Joe DeForest left to become Dana Holgorsen's defensive coordinator at West Virginia. DeForest's defense will be in the spotlight during the Mountaineers' first Big 12 game.
Most project a shoot-out Saturday when West Virginia hosts Baylor in Morgantown.
“The mentality you need on defense is you need a short memory,” Holgorsen said. “That's one of the reasons Joe DeForest is here. There are so many good offenses in the Big 12. Baylor has a great offense ... If you give up a couple of plays or touchdowns, you have to focus to get a key stop.”
Baylor and West Virginia are averaging a combined 99 points and nearly 1,100 yards a game.
“Offensively, we just played OK last week,” Holgorsen said. “If you play just OK against an offense like Baylor, then you're probably not going to have enough points to win. You have to be prepared for (a shoot-out).”
Baylor coach Art Briles said you can't go into a game expecting a shoot-out.
“We're certainly not going in thinking it's going to go one way or another,” Briles said. “You never know.”
LONGHORNS FAMILIAR WITH WALSH
Texas is preparing for both Oklahoma State quarterbacks, Wes Lunt and J.W. Walsh. But Longhorns coach Mack Brown said the primary focus is containing OSU's ground attack, which ranks in the top five nationally (308.3 rushing yards a game).
Brown said if Walsh plays as expected, he poses different challenges.
“J.W. can give you the dual threat,” Brown said. “He's more like Zac Robinson. He can run the ball. He's tough, a coach's kid. He can beat you with his arm or his feet.”
INTERESTING MATCHUP IN AMES
Iowa State and Texas Tech are both 3-0.
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