The Baylor Bears are set to take on the TCU Horned Frogs tonight in college football action. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on ESPN. Currently the college football betting odds for the game have the Bears favored to pick up the victory on the road.
Don't look now, but Baylor — a team once thought to have no chance at the playoff after losing to Oklahoma at home a few weeks back, has a chance at the playoff once again. This game isn't going to be the hype machine it was expected to be earlier in the season when both were ranked much higher, but a win here by the Bears gives them a fighting chance at the playoffs.
Here's the thing, though; the Bears will be starting their third-string quarterback in Chris Johnson. Tonight will be his first career start as both Jarrett Stidham and Seth Russell have been banged up this season and dealing with injuries. Even so, Stidham looked very poised when Russell went down with injury. Art Briles and his coaching staff believe Johnson can come in and do the same thing, but it certainly won't be easy.
TCU's defense has not been what they needed this season, the last three weeks they gave up 49 to Oklahoma State, struggled to beat Kansas and couldn't get off the field against Oklahoma last week in a 30-29 loss. And despite struggling with two losses in their last three games overall, TCU and the Frogs defense can put them in a good position in this regular season finale.
Last season these teams combined to score 119 points, but this game feels like that number will never be reached. Trevone Boykine is dealing without Josh Doctson on the field and the TCU quarterback is beat up himself. The Frogs are going to have to find a way to get someone else going, whether that is Aaron Green or somebody else. Green has run the football well by having two straight games over 100 yards, he has a good chance to do that again tonight.
Corey Coleman and Shock Linwood offer two great options for Baylor offensively. They'll look to get them the football as much as possible, which will be a big reason they get the win on the road.
Free Pick: Baylor
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