GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: West Virginia QB Will Grier vs. Baylor secondary. Grier has the ability to torch defenses as he is averaging 319.8 yards per game with 22 touchdowns on the season. But when he gets off rhythm, sometimes he goes cold for a while. Baylor’s secondary is tasked with knocking Grier off his game before he gets rolling. The Bears currently rank fourth by allowing just 239.5 passing yards per contest in Big 12 play. However, Baylor has played only one dynamic passing QB — Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray.
DRAFT SLANT
–WR Denzel Mims caught three passes for 80 yards and a TD in the loss to Texas. But he was on the sideline with leg cramps when the Bears were trying to drive to win the game in the fourth quarter.
ROSTER REPORT:
–CB Harrison Hand missed the Texas game with an undisclosed injury. Coach Matt Rhule said Hand is practicing this week and should be ready to play against West Virginia.
–RB John Lovett left the Oklahoma game with a head injury and was in the concussion protocol, but he returned to action against Texas.
–WR Denzel Mims came out of the Texas game with leg cramps in the second half. He’s expected to be back in action on Thursday against West Virginia.
–CB Grayland Arnold missed the Kansas State and Texas games with an ankle injury. He’s doubtful this week against West Virginia.
–S Verkedric Vaughns missed the Kansas State game with an ankle injury but he returned to action on a limited basis versus Texas. He had one tackle against the Longhorns.
–LG Xavier Newman suffered a high ankle sprain in the win over Kansas and has missed the last three games. He’s questionable this week for West Virginia.
–LT Josh Malin was helped off the field versus Abilene Christian with a knee injury and was diagnosed with a sprained MCL. He missed four games, then returned to action as he started the Texas game.
======
