Two of the nation’s most dynamic quarterbacks and will be on display when rivals Baylor and TCU square off on Saturday afternoon in a crucial Big 12 Conference game at Fort Worth, Texas.
The Bears (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) head north on I-35 after an open week and carrying a two-game conference winning streak, most recently recording a 35-34 home victory over Kansas State on Oct. 4.
Connor Hawkins drilled a 53-yard field goal with 31 seconds to play to beat the Wildcats. Sawyer Robertson passed for 345 yards, two touchdowns and one interception as Baylor came from behind to take the lead, then blocked a field-goal attempt by Kansas State with two seconds left to escape.
Baylor coach Dave Aranda believes his players and the coaches put the bye week to good use.
“We did a lot of self-scout,” Aranda said. “We had our defensive staff do it for our offense and vice versa. And our special teams assistants did for the work for the special teams and spent the majority of the week on that.
“(We were looking to find) the tells that we’re given up. ‘Here’s all the weaknesses. Here’s the strengths. Here’s some possible places to go.'”
Aranda also said that Robertson should be in the discussion for the Heisman Trophy. The senior quarterback leads the nation in passing yards (2,058 through six games) and touchdown passes (19). He marshals a Baylor offense that racks up 494 yards per contest, ninth best in the FBS.
“(Robertson) is going to continue to be in moments where he’s going to shine,” Aranda said. “I don’t think there’s going to be a moment that’s going to be too big for him. And I think this team is going to fight for him.”
TCU is back home after a 41-28 loss at Kansas State last week. After starting the season with three wins, the Horned Frogs (4-2, 1-2) have dropped two of their past three contests.
The most recent setback overshadowed the work of quarterback Josh Hoover, who passed for 376 yards and three touchdowns but also was intercepted twice in the second half, including one that was returned for a score.
“I just gotta play better,” Hoover said. “Our team is only going to be as good as I play, and if I’m not going to consistently be a really good player, then we’re going to have a tough time winning games. This is where you figure out what type of guy you are. I’m not a quitter. I’m made for these moments.”
Hoover is second to Robertson in the nation in passing yards (1,893). He is tied for second with 18 TD passes while throwing only six interceptions.
The two programs have played 120 times on the gridiron since the series began in 1899, with TCU holding a 59-54-7 all-time lead. Baylor won 37-34 last season in Waco, Texas, just the Bears’ second win in the teams’ past 10 meetings.
