Five Keys to Saturday's Game - Baylor
- Baylor's official preview says Nate Bennett will make a second straight start with DJ Lagway sidelined by an ankle injury. It says Louisiana Tech will start Trey Kukuk after Blake Baker suffered a hand injury against LSU. These are the preview's reported quarterback changes, with no recovery timetable supplied for either regular starter.
- Baylor defensive tackle Devino Tezino is out for the year, according to the official preview. Dave Aranda cited Traevon 'Slug' Michell and Braylen Jackson as depth options, praising Jackson's physical run defense and improving pass rush. The remarks identify replacement options, not a newly announced starter or snap allocation.
- With Baylor receiver Jadon Porter out, the preview says Jayden McGowan has taken on more of the receiving burden. It gives no diagnosis or return timetable for Porter and does not quantify McGowan's future targets or announce a permanent receiver-order change.
- Baylor averaged 3.7 yards per rush through its first two games of 2026, and Bennett's 17-yard touchdown run was its longest rush. Aranda described an offense currently relying on long drives and stressed avoiding negative plays to find rhythm. That supports an explosive-run concern, not a confirmed change in offensive pace.
- Baylor committed nine penalties for 85 yards against Prairie View. Right guard Asher Hale accounted for four false starts and a holding penalty, costing 30 yards. The report identifies a concrete line-execution problem but does not announce that Hale will be benched or replaced.
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Preview: Baylor vs. Louisiana Tech
- Baylor committed nine penalties for 85 yards against Prairie View A&M, six charged to the offensive line; Asher Hale had four false starts and a hold. The preview also flags defenders reaching Dawson Pendergrass and Caden Knighten in the backfield and warns that pass protection has not faced a strong rush yet. Aranda identifies discipline as an area to clean up before Big 12 play.
- Baylor enters with a minus-one turnover margin after throwing three interceptions against Prairie View A&M; Louisiana Tech is plus-two with five takeaways, four against LSU. The preview identifies ball security as Baylor's main vulnerability and a possible route for the Bulldogs to stay competitive. Creating turnovers or converting them into points is not guaranteed.
- The Baylor writer rates the defensive front as the team's best unit through two games and says cornerbacks Devon Jordan, LeVar Thornton Jr., Reggie Bush II and Kyler Beaty have played better than expected. That is an early-season scouting assessment of the front and coverage group, not a quantified improvement or proof they will shut down Louisiana Tech's replacement quarterback.
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