Baylor vs. Oklahoma State 2022 Bound to be Another Thriller? Game Predictions for Week 5
The Bears and the Cowboys played two of the tightest games on their schedules last year, with the second matchup famously being literally decided by a matter of inches. With the two matching up so early in the 2022 season, it wouldn't surprise anyone to see another tight game.
Whoever wins this game will undoubtedly be in a great position to return to the Big 12 Championship game, at least as good a position as you can be the first day in October.
Will the Bears put themselves in the driver's seat to repeat or will the Pokes exact some sweet revenge at McLane?
Throughout this week, we have taken a broad look at the 2022 Cowboys, and we showed you whom to watch out for on both offense and defense, so now it’s time for the Inside The Bears staff to make their preseason predictions for Baylor’s week five game against Oklahoma State.
Make sure to stick with InsideTheBears.com as we preview and analyze every opponent on the Bears schedule for the 2022 football season.
Matt Galatzan - Editor-in-Chief
The Bears will have to fight off a Cowboys team that is seeking revenge for their loss in the Big 12 title game last season. And returning arguably the best roster in the Big 12 in 2022, the Bears should be up for the challenge.
Its going to be a battle, and the Cowboys are an experienced bunch, but the Bears will have the edge on the defensive side, and that will be the difference.
Baylor 27, Oklahoma State 21
Cole Thompson - Reporter/Columnist
This game likely decides at least one representative of the Big 12 Championship come December. In a rematch of the title game from a season ago, Blake Shapen hopes to prove what he did in Arlington last year is just the start of a promising career in Waco. As for the Cowboys, Spencer Sanders is entering Year 4 as a starter, plus the offense returns four starters on the offensive line and rising star receiver Brennan Presley.
Will the Bears have their own weaknesses defensively? Sure. Will Baylor need a solid outing on the ground against a defense replacing six starters? Yes. Will the outcome be the same as the one in Arlington? For now, Shapen holds the 1-0 lead over Sanders, so it's hard to bet against him.
Baylor 24, Oklahoma State 23
Matthew Postins - Staff Writer
This one is really simple. The Cowboys have revenge on their minds and they'll capitalize. Nothing more than that. Both teams are evenly matched, but after last year's Big 12 Championship game, the Cowboys have a little more incentive.
Oklahoma State 28, Baylor 25
Connor Zimmerlee - Staff Writer
A rematch of the 2021 Big 12 championship game awaits the Baylor Bears in Week 5, as they welcome the Oklahoma State Cowboys to Waco. As the Bears look to repeat as Big 12 champions, this game will be a slugfest with the Cowboys looking to get the inside edge in conference play. While it will be close, the Bears will pull out a crucial victory over the Cowboys.
Baylor 35 Oklahoma State 27
Denton Ramsey - Staff Writer
The Bears host the Cowboys in a week five matchup at McLane Stadium that could end up going down as one of the most epic battles in the history of Baylor football.
Only time will tell, but rest assured that coach Dave Aranda and the Bears will be prepared both mentally and physically as Baylor rides the momentum from last year’s thriller in Arlington.
Baylor 21, Oklahoma State 20
Cameron Stuart - Staff Writer
Although both teams lost key players, I think Baylor has a distinct advantage. While no longer having Jalen Pitre or Terrel Bernard anymore, the Bears will still have a fast and aggressive defense that had clearly figured out Spencer Sanders.
This Bears defense will eat Sanders alive (again) if they are able to take away the running game and force him to be a pocket passer like they did in the Big 12 Championship. I expect it to be like the Bears' 2021 matchup with the Oklahoma Sooners when Caleb Williams was making mad dashes to nowhere and the freshman was exposed when forced to be a passer. If Blake Shapen is healthy enough to throw a ball for more than half the game, this one won't be as close as last year's matchups.
Baylor 27, Oklahoma State 13
