Thankfully for the reigning Big 12 Champion Baylor Bears, the injuries sustained week one against SMU won’t hamper their college football playoff hopes. Bryce Petty returns this week, while their receiving corps should return to full health for conference play.
That being said, Buffalo should come into this game embarrassed about how things went down a year ago. After scoring the opening TD and ending the first quarter down by 15 points, Buffalo gave up 42 unanswered points en route to a 70-13 thrashing. We’ll see if 2014 is more kind to the Bulls, but Baylor clearly holds the talent advantage once again in this Friday night matchup.
By: Alex Brown
Baylor Bears
Bryce Petty, QB, #14
In Baylor’s opening week victory over SMU, senior QB Bryce Petty suffered two cracked transverse processes in his lower back. Because the transverse process is essentially a sidearm in the vertebrae and acts as the point of attachment to nearby muscles, the injury feels like a lower back strain and reportedly it’s not too serious in the long-term.
As one of the top senior QB prospects in the 2015 class, Petty possesses an effortlessly quick release to get the ball out to his receivers. It’s difficult to properly gage his anticipation and feel for the passing game with so many one-read, pre-snap decisions being made. Also concerning is the lack of developed footwork, as the Baylor system features a heavy dose of catch-rocker step dropbacks. Regardless of the system though, you see natural arm talent to hit vertical throws and the ability to file the football between levels. For me, I need to see improved pocket composure and reset footwork under pressure to upgrade Bryce Petty’s preseason third round grade.
(JR) Spencer Drango, OT, #58
Spencer Drango returns as Baylor’s starting LT, after a ruptured disc forced him to undergo back surgery and miss the final four games of the last season. As a left tackle, he displays the lateral quickness to mirror on the edge and the powerful lower half to build his base versus power moves. He’s improved at firing his hips and punch at the point of attack, and brings the skill set to transition to guard or stay at tackle for NFL teams. If he can stay healthy, Drango has the makeup of a top 40 selection in next year’s draft.
(JR) Shawn Oakman, DE, #2
One of the few players not banged up against SMU, Oakman caused quite a bit of damage in the Mustangs’ backfield. I went through and charted each of his pass rush attempts, and here were some of my takeaways.
Against SMU in week one, Oakman played a total of 31 defensive snaps with 21 of those coming at either a 4-technique or a 5-technique (inside shoulder of LT or face up with the LT). His repertoire of moves increased as he moved closer to the football, showing a rip, club, swim, punch-pull and speed move from 4-technique and 5-technique alignments. As an outside shaded end in a 7-technique, he notched one sack with a pure speed rush but lacked much variety on three other rush attempts. His presence alone drew double team blockers on six separate snaps, and he can expect the same against Buffalo. Oakman will take off a few snaps through the course of the game (made no effort to rush passer on three reps) and doesn’t have a developed sense for setting up his moves, but clearly possesses top of the first round ability.
Buffalo Bulls
Jake Silas, LT, #67
Flipping sides from right tackle to left tackle as a senior, Jake Silas has the difficult draw of facing Shawn Oakman. Silas shows an effective punch and sustain, but I don’t see the foot speed to handle Oakman on an island. I expect Buffalo to get the ball out fast in the three-step passing game, chip Oakman constantly with their running backs and double at times with their left guard. For a fringe-draftable talent in Jake Silas, he’ll get a true test of his NFL ability in this game.
Adam Redden, S, #29
Redden is Buffalo’s top NFL Draft prospect, earning a spot on the Senior Bowl’s preseason watch list. He’s best suited as an in the box, strong safety, where his closing speed to the football and instincts shine. Buffalo brings him off the edge often and it’ll be important for him to land a few hard hits on QB Bryce Petty, who’s working back from a painful lower back injury.
Notes:
-Redshirt sophomore CB Xavien Howard really impressed me during the rewatch of Baylor tape. As a long-armed, press corner, he showcases outstanding lateral redirect at the line of scrimmage and foot speed to stay square with the receiver’s release. On top of having the physical tools with plus length and movement skills, he has the ball skills to turn, locate and high point the football.
-Our highest graded senior prospect in this game won’t be available to play, as Baylor will be without WR Antwan Goodley. With an off week to follow, Goodley should be ready to return in two weeks for Baylor’s Big 12 opener versus Iowa State
-Baylor also won’t have slot threat and punt return specialist, senior WR Levi Norwood. Norwood underwent wrist surgery following the opener versus SMU and will not be available to play. Like Goodley though, Norwood might be able to return for the Iowa State game.
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