Baylor Bears vs. Texas Longhorns Offensive Players to Watch
The Baylor Bears know that they will have their hands full with the Texas Longhorns’ offense when the square off on Friday at 11 a.m. at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
The Bears (6-5, 4-4 in Big 12) are coming off a 29-28 loss to TCU last Saturday and get one less day to prepare for players like Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Xavier Worthy and wide receiver Jordan Whittington. Texas may lead the all-time series, 78-29-4, but the Bears have won two of the last three games, including last year’s 31-24 meeting in Waco.
The Longhorns (7-4, 5-3) are chasing Kansas State for second place in the conference, which would yield a berth in the Big 12 Championship Game. The scenario is clear — Texas has to win and Kansas State has to lose. If Texas is going to win on Friday, here are some of the players that have to get it done for Texas.
All week, Inside the Bears will preview Friday’s game. Here is this week’s projected depth chart for the Longhorns.
Offensive Players to Watch
RB Bijan Robinson
Robinson has rushed for 1,401 yards and 16 touchdowns while adding 314 receiving yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns this season. Against Kansas last week he had an incredible game, as he rushed for 243 yards and four touchdowns. Only the fact that the game was a blowout kept Robinson from getting close to 300 yards rushing. Robinson is playing coy about going to the NFL next year. He has eligibility left, if he wants to use it. The rest of the Big 12 would probably love nothing more than to see the bruising back head to the NFL.
QB Quinn Ewers
The redshirt freshman has put together a solid season despite missing part of it due to an injury suffered in the Alabama game. He enters Friday’s game with 1,614 yards passing with 14 touchdowns and six interceptions. He’s only completed 55.4 percent of his passes, and his coach Steve Sarkisian is already teasing a quarterback competition in the spring with top-rated recruit Arch Manning set to enroll in January.
WR Xavier Worthy
Last year’s freshman All-American has put together another fine season. He’s caught 46 passes for 614 yards and nine touchdowns. It’s not quite last year’s numbers (62-981-12), but Texas has more players to get the ball to this year. Worthy doesn’t have to do it all himself.
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders
Sanders might be the most incredible athlete on the team. At 6-4, 242, he can do just about anything — rush, receive and block. Texas has used him in all kinds of ways and his numbers reflect it, as he has 47 receptions for 512 yards and five touchdowns.
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