A Big 12 matchup that has ripple effects across all of college football. The sixth ranked Baylor Bears matched up with the twelfth ranked Oklahoma Sooners.
Baylor’s high scoring offense got rolling early in the first quarter, with a five yard touchdown run from running back Devin Chafin but failed to convert on a two point conversion, putting them up 6-0. Oklahoma answered quickly with a six yard touchdown run from running back Samaje Perine, going up 7-6.
The second quarter saw Oklahoma add on to their lead as quarterback Baker Mayfield hit wideout Sterling Shepard for a 39 yard touchdown pass. The Sooners failed to convert on the PAT, making their lead 13-6. Baylor responded with a three yard touchdown run from Chafin, tying the game at 13. With twenty eight seconds left in the half, Mayfield kept the snap and ran into the endzone from two yards out for the score. The Sooners were up 20-13 on the Bears going into the half.
Baylor started off the second half with a quick 75 yard drive that was capped off with a six yard touchdown rush from Chafin to tie the game at 20. Less than three minutes later, Oklahoma broke the tie with a seven yard touchdown pass from Mayfield to Shepard. Oklahoma was able to force a Baylor turnover on the ensuing drive and Perine took a handoff 55 yards for a touchdown, making the lead 34-20. Baylor answered towards the end of a quarter as quarterback Jarrett Stidham hit 400 pound tight end LaQuan McGowan for a five yard touchdown strike.
With Oklahoma up 34-27 to start the final quarter, they had excellent field position but failed to find the endzone. Kicker Austin Seibert did convert on a 33 yard field goal to extend the Sooners lead to ten. Baylor was once again quick to strike following a turnover as Stidham found wideout Jay Lee open for a 17 yard touchdown pass, making it 37-34. Oklahoma’s defense was able to contain Baylor’s explosive offense. This let their own offense extend the lead following a seven yard touchdown pass from Mayfield to Dimitri Flowers, making it a 44-34 ballgame with less than five minutes to go. Baylor couldn’t answer in the final minutes of the game and lost for the first time this season.
Baker Mayfield and Samaje Perine had exceptional days. The two combined for 412 yards and all six of Baylor’s touchdowns.
Oklahoma moved to 9-1 on the year and crashed the College Football Playoff discussion with a team just outside of the top four. This is Oklahoma’s third win over a ranked opponent on the season. Oklahoma now plays host to TCU next week in a chance to add another quality win to their resume.
Baylor watched themselves fall out of the College Football Playoff discussion and dropped to 8-1 on the year. The Bears now hit the road to face a red hot Oklahoma State team that is still undefeated on the season. If Baylor can pull of a win next week, they can find themselves back in the discussion for the playoffs.