Week One of the college football season is here. Baylor plays Tarleton State, and Heartland College Sports has your game prediction, preview, and betting odds ahead of the matchup.
GAME INFO
Saturday, August 31; 6:00 p.m. (CT); McLane Stadium; Waco, Texas
TV: ESPN+
Line: Baylor (-26.5)
Over/Under: 55.5
Records: Baylor 3-9 (2023), Tarleton State 1-0 (2024)
Last Week: N/A
Series History: Baylor leads 1-0.
Last Meeting: Baylor 35, Tarleton State 0, 9/24/1921
Fun Fact: When Baylor takes on Tarleton State, the Texans will take the field for the second time in 2024 after kicking off their season against McNeese.
KEY PLAYERS
TARLETON STATE TEXANS
RB KAYVON BRITTEN
One of the best players on the field in Tarleton State’s 26-23 win over McNeese was senior running back Kayvon Britten. The 5-foot-7 senior toted the rock 25 times for 164 carries with an average of 6.6 yards per carry. He is coming off back-to-back 1000-yard seasons with a total of 2,455 scrimmage yards and 33 total scores.
DB OMAR EMMONS
Defensively, the Texans return a solid piece of their secondary with junior defensive back Omar Emmons. The Mississippi native snagged the lone interception in their first outing alongside two tackles. In 2023, Emmons recorded 31 total stops, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception, and one touchdown.
BAYLOR BEARS
QB DEQUAN FINN
There’s a new sheriff in town, and his name is Dequan Finn. Dave Aranda brought in the Toledo signal-caller through the transfer portal in hopes of adding some life back to the group on offense after a disappointing 2023. Finn’s debut in Waco will be a major one in the Big 12 after accounting for 2,657 yards and a touchdown to interception ratio of 22-9 last season with the Rockets.
DB CADEN JENKINS
One young defensive back for Baylor stepped up big last season in Waco in the form of freshman cornerback Caden Jenkins. The Texas native recorded 37 tackles, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries and had a standout performance in his freshman season, earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors. His development in the secondary will be something to watch, with Dave Aranda calling defensive plays yet again.
KEY STORYLINES
TARLETON STATE TEXANS
Can the Texans move the ball through the air? In Game One vs. McNeese, the Texans didn’t have to rely on the pass as much as the rushing attack, with a tremendous amount of success from Kayvon Britten. Moving the ball in short-yardage situations won’t be as easy with a reloaded Baylor front seven. Though junior quarterback Victor Gabalis was solid in his first taste of action, he will be relied on heavily against the Bears.
BAYLOR BEARS
How should fans feel about Dave Aranda? It is no secret that the writing is on the way for Dave Aranda in 2024, and he needs to put the ship back on the right path toward success. Despite winning a Big 12 Championship in 2021, things have been all down hill for Aranda lately. Will 2024 be a return to form? Or will the Bears experience another year of mediocrity?
PREDICTION: BAYLOR 38, TARLETON STATE 13
Baylor may not be picked to finish very high in the Big 12 Conference standings, but they take care of Tarleton State with relative ease in their 2024 debut. Dequan Finn proves to be the right guy under center while the rushing attack takes care of most of the heavy lifting in their first game. Expect Baylor to shut down the line of scrimmage early in Week One.
