Can Baylor Secure A Road Victory Against West Virginia? Staff Predictions for Week 6
Last season the Baylor Bears had no trouble beating the West Virginia Mountaineers, to the tune of a 45-20 blowout victory. In the win, the Bears put up 525 yards of offense including 354 through the air.
Now, Baylor hits the road for what will likely be a tougher test than last season, as the Mountaineers will undoubtedly come in wanting revenge for the blowout loss.
The Mountaineers should improve on offense this season, returning their top receiver as well as adding quarterback J.T. Daniels via the transfer portal. On the defensive side of the ball the Mountaineers were one of the better units in the Big 12 in 2021 but now find themselves replacing nine starters.
This week at InsidetheBears.com, we provide an in-depth look at the West Virginia roster as a part of our continuing way-too-early season preview series. Now, we offer our predictions for when the Bears take to the road to Morgantown.
Matt Galatzan - Editor-in-Chief
Baylor will have an underrated test with West Virginia in Week 6, but I believe they will be ready for it. Blake Shapen should be humming in the passing game by this point, and the Bears defense should be able to put the clamps down on JT Daniels. It won’t be a blowout but the Bears will win comfortably.
Baylor 31, West Virginia 20
Cole Thompson - Staff Writer & Columnist
J.T. Daniels isn’t going down quietly at West Virginia. The only reason he’s not the starting quarterback at Georgia going into 2022 was due to his lingering injuries over the past two years. Neal Brown was also extremely adamant about fixing his secondary via the transfer portal, adding veterans such as James Madison cornerback Wesley McCormick.
Something about playing in Morgantown just screams upset. For the Bears, it’ll end up being their first loss of the season.
West Virginia 20, Baylor 17
Timm Hamm - Staff Writer
West Virginia has been the epitome of ‘average’ for a long time now. The Bears handled the Mountaineers easily last season, and I don’t think much has changed to prevent that again. The only saving grace for West Virginia might be Baylor’s short week leading up to the game as it’s another Thursday night matchup, which is terrible for college football.
Baylor 38, West Virginia 20
Connor Zimmerlee - Staff Writer
Don't expect this game to be a repeat of last year's blowout win for the Bears. While Baylor returns talent across the board, the Mountaineers did improve on the offensive side of the ball, which was their biggest weakness in 2021. However, the Bears will ultimately pull this one out behind the arm of quarterback Blake Shapen, pulling away late for the victory.
Baylor 31, West Virginia 21
Cameron Stuart - Staff Writer
Baylor has not had much success playing in Morgantown, but that’s a nice way of saying it. They’ve kept some games close but they have literally never beaten the Mountaineers on the road (0-5).
I think these teams are on two different trajectories, but I’m a third chance kind of guy so I have just an iota of confidence in J.T. Daniels. No disrespect to Daniels or to WVU, but I think he’s finally at the right level. He and the Mountaineer crowd (with some help from the Bears’ demons) will keep it close, but I think the Bears finally leave “MoTown” with a win.
Baylor 23, West Virginia 16
Matthew Postins - Staff Writer
By this point, I think the Mountaineers will have their offensive act together with quarterback J.T. Daniels. But, Baylor is the better overall team. I'm interested to see where Baylor's offense will be by this point, especially with quarterback Blake Shapen. Something tells me by now he'll have complete command of the offense, and Baylor's defense will be seizing the moment.
Baylor 29, West Virginia 24
Zach Dimmitt - Staff Writer
Baylor’s 45-20 win over West Virginia last season was of the team’s better victories of the year. But with J.T. Daniels now at quarterback for the Mountaineers, Dave Aranda’s defense won’t have it as easy.
The Mountaineers also now get the home-field advantage of the fans at Morgantown. And behind a defense that was pretty underrated in the Big 12 last season, this could be upset territory for Baylor.
West Virginia 27, Baylor 23
