Baylor-Missouri at a glance

The Associated Press Comments 0
Published: November 4, 2009

Baylor (3-5, 0-4) at Missouri (5-3, 1-3), 1 p.m. Saturday CST

Line: Missouri by 14.

Series Record: Missouri leads 10-2.

Last Meeting: 2008, Missouri won 31-28.

What's at Stake

Missouri trying to climb back into contention in Big 12 North after first 0-3 conference start since 2002, coming off easy 36-17 victory at Colorado. Defense forced four turnovers and had eight sacks, three by redshirt freshman DE Aldon Smith. Baylor has scuffled since losing QB Robert Griffin (knee) for season in late September, and has lost four in a row. Bears averaging only 8.5 points in conference play and hasn't scored a TD in first half last three games.

Key Matchup

Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert vs. Baylor defense. Sophomore Gabbert was hobbled by high right ankle sprain in all three losses, two of them at home, but appeared much more nimble last week and was rarely hit by Colorado defense. Baylor had slow start overall last week, trailing 20-0 at half, but held Nebraska to 11 first downs for best showing since 2004.

Players to Watch

Baylor: WR Kendall Wright has 20-game reception streak, with at least four catches in six straight games. LB Joe Pawelek will start 42nd straight game and has 388 career tackles, most among active players.

Missouri: LB Sean Weatherspoon is 59 tackles away from school career record of 434 set by James Kinney from 2001-04. ... WR Danario Alexander has 58 receptions for 824 yards and 7 TDs, including 2 TDs last week. ... Smith has eight sacks, three off the school record.