Ten Things on Stillwater Successes, Home Advantages & K-State
BY CRAIG SMOAK | 365 Sports
Baylor Football avoided disaster in Oklahoma, climbing back above .500, but to get serious, they must capitalize on another opportunity to cash in at home.
Here are ten thoughts on the current state of the Bears, from a successful showing in Stillwater to this weekend’s looming challenge from the Wildcats.
Successful Trip: The Bears successfully navigated an unexpected landmine on the schedule, with last weekend’s trip to Stillwater taking on larger-than-anticipated stakes. I wrote and talked extensively in the lead-up about the raw emotions and support the Cowboys would receive in the immediate wake of the Gundy firing, and that rang true. There was also the added dynamic of preparing for a team that couldn’t change its stripes, but could throw the kitchen sink and introduce some new wrinkles, thanks to a change in leadership. That also rang true. However, the Bears handled the challenge well, and although Oklahoma State is a struggling team, that was a solid win.
Sawyer Robertson: In a league full of strong QB play, Robertson may be the best of the bunch. And he’s deserving of a conversation that goes beyond the conference level and into the national discussion. I’m more concerned about team success in Waco than any individual honors, but that often goes hand in hand with your starting QB. And it’s clear through five games that the Bears will go as far as their QB1 takes them. Enjoy the ride.
The Defense: Let’s say things continue playing out as advertised so far, and every game is pretty much an old-school Big 12 shootout. The Bears can win a fair share of those, but the highest of aspirations are much less realistic if not off the table. The Bears’ D is of little concern to opposing QBs in the pocket. They don’t create or gain many, if any, turnovers. They give up tons of yards, and worse, explosive plays. Keaton Thomas leads the league in total tackles, but nary a Bear is to be found anywhere in the top 20-25 conference leaders in most individual defensive categories. Fine enough if the total unit is ranked high, but they’re much closer to last than first. It’s baffling in some regards.
Protecting Homefield: It’s one thing to drop games against highly respected and rated opponents, but that is not Kansas State so far in 2025. They are a talented team, fully capable of rolling into Waco and winning, but this is a game where you must take advantage of the home crowd and atmosphere when not much else separates the two sides.
Kobe Prentice: The man is a TD Machine. His penchant for maximizing his touches in finding the endzone is incredible.
RB Room: Bryson Washington is a dude, but it was good to see the talented and youth-filled supporting cast getting touches and making a positive impact against the Pokes. There will be plenty of opportunities for further upward momentum against a Wildcats defense that’s struggled against the run.
K-State Offense: By the same token. Like Sawyer Robertson, Johnson has been more selective in running the football this season, but that usage ticked up slightly last week. It would be shocking if the Wildcats aren’t licking their chops at the possibilities after watching the Auburn tape, for example. But most importantly, last week’s full return of Dylan Edwards provided an instantaneous jolt to the ‘Cats rushing attack and overall offense. They’ll be a formidable duo for a Baylor defense that is equally average, if not slightly worse.
Tyquan Thornton: Make it three consecutive games with touchdown receptions for the former Bear in Kansas City. It’s unclear how much a returning Xavier Worthy may impact Thornton’s continued use. But he’s proven himself valuable and a trusted target for Mahomes in a short amount of time. Tyquan is also soaking up the new spotlight, appearing earlier this week on the Nightcap YouTube show with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco.
OK State Job: The Cowal boys have appeared in two Big 12 title games in the last five years and continue putting talent in the pros. Two years ago, they had the Doak Walker Award winner. There’s a tremendous foundation to work with for whatever fresh set of eyes and motivation eventually lands that gig. The Big 12 continues to get tougher as everyone begins to pony up and go all in with a sense of urgency never felt before in the sport, given the uncertainties that loom on the horizon. The margin for error feels razor-thin. Oklahoma State is a job with money and a hunger that you can guarantee won’t fail due to a lack of effort or resources. It’s an exciting new chapter for the Cowboys fandom, and the rest of the Big 12 is looking on with lots of interest.
Prediction: Baylor 38, Kansas State 28
Neither defense is particularly noteworthy, and this becomes a traditional Big 12 shootout where I trust Sawyer Robertson and his greater array of playmakers to push the Bears past the finish line. Very little ultimately separates these teams, so the big keys (turnovers, negative plays) will loom large in this one.