Tarleton (1-0) @ Baylor (0-0)

Saturday, August 31, 2024

6PM, ESPN+

Overview

Baylor Game Notes

• Tarleton made the jump to FCS from DII before last season, and play in the United Athletic Conference.

• Tarleton was not eligible for FCS playoffs in 2023, but very possibly would have earned an at-large bid after an 8-3 campaign.

• This game will mark the 10th Anniversary of McLane Stadium!

Injury Report

Baylor

LB Matt Jones and WR Ketron Jackson were absent from the last scrimmage of camp, but both are expected to play.

Tarleton

Victor Gabalis - OUT (thumb)

Opponent Preview

Tarleton Offense

The Week 1 gameplan vs Baylor will likely focus heavily on the run, as backup Texans QB Jaden Pete (transfer from Tyler Junior College) completed only 1/8 of his pass attempts in the second half of Tarleton’s game vs McNeese.

Texans’ RB Kayvon Britten (5’7” 195) earned an FCS All-American Team spot last season after averaging 6.3 yards per carry in his 2023 campaign

Darius Cooper is a real dude at wide receiver. Gabalis was able to find him multiple times in tight windows for crucial first downs.

He can also make defenders miss.

With Gabalis being injured and OUT for Saturday’s game, I don’t expect Cooper or the Texans’ passing game to be nearly as effective, but there are definitely weapons on the roster.

Tarleton Defense

• 7 starters returning on defense for the Texans this season

• The Tarleton defense allowed 4.3 YPC to McNeese in Week 0.

• McNeese easily could have put 30+ points on the board in the Texans last game, but fumbled 3 times (plus an egregiously bad interception).

• Even with the turnover-shortened drives, McNeese was still able to rack up 445 yards of offense on the day vs Tarleton.

Prediction

Baylor is able to get backups some considerable playing time, and covers the -26.5 spread.