Big 12’s Just too Tough for the Longhorns: Baylor Beats Texas 31-24

In the 111th and what may be final meeting in Waco because Texas apparently believes its mediocrity in football can be cured by money—the one thing it had while it failed to achieve what Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma State could in the Big 12—Texas blew an 11 point second half lead lead as Baylor blasted the Longhorns 31-24. That’s the third time Texas has lost up double digits against a ranked Big 12 team.

Here are five takeaways from Baylor’s win:

1) Abram Smith is a monster- Smiths’ 32 yard run on the toss gave Baylor a 31-21 lead. He finished with 113 yards on 20 carries. Trestan Ebner did extremely well in speed option settings too, as the Baylor senior ended with 5.5 yards per carry.

2) Thank God Dave Aranda elected to not kick a field goal on 4th and 5- Rather thank kick a field goal to go down eight, Aranda had Baylor go. Gerry Bohanon hit RJ Sneed for a first down. The Bears scored a touchdown on the way to another victory over Texas.

3) JT Woods saved the day- Before halftime, Texas had a chance to go up big, and Woods broke up a touchdown pass. He then intercepted it. On Texas’s final drive, Woods broke up a pass 50 yards down field.

4) Gerry Bohanon responded well- Bohanon had two terrible picks where he missed the safety. Who cares? Texas let all of its losses define it. Baylor and Bohanon didn’t. He ran speed options well and hit some huge passes. Down 11 in the second half, Bohanon responded.

5) Hopefully that’s the last Baylor-Texas game in McLane- I wouldn’t play Texas again if I’m Baylor. The Longhorns tried to destroy this league on the way out. Let them take the loss they deserved. Baylor has been just fine beating Texas. It will be just fine beating other schools.