Baylor (0-0) vs Tarleton (0-0)
Game Info: Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 7:00 pm (McLane Stadium)
Betting Odds: Baylor -26.5 / Tarleton +26.5 --- Over/Under: 55.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Tarleton Texans and the Baylor Bears meet in week 1 college football action from McLane Stadium on Saturday night. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Tarleton vs. Baylor prediction.
Tarleton Team Preview
The Tarleton Texans come into the 2024 season looking to build on an 8-3 record from 2023, but because of their transition from Division II, the Texans were ineligible for postseason play. They will be eligible starting this season. A lot of Tarleton’s offense averaged 33.3 PPG last year, including Victor Gabalis at QB after throwing for 2,492 yards, 18 touchdowns and 13 INTs while Kayvon Britten is back as one of the top running backs in the FCS after rushing for 1,150 yards and 16 touchdowns last year.
Derrel Kelley III is also back after rushing for 541 yards and 4 TDs while Darius Cooper is expected to headman Tarleton’s receivers after logging 622 receiving yards and 5 TDs in 7 games. Benjamin Omayebu had a team-high 64 grabs for 671 yards last season while Keylan Johnson had a team-high 5 receiving TDs last year.
On defense, five of Tarleton’s top eight tacklers from last year are back including Brandon Tolvert up front as a preseason all-UAC selection. Robert Rios and Charles Perkins flank Tolvert on the defensive line while Devin Sterling and Ty Rawls lead Tarleton’s linebacking group. Blake Smith leads the Texans’ secondary and Kasyus Kurns will be expected to take another step forward in 2024.
Why the Tarleton State University Texans will win
- Baylor has lost four of its last five games as a favorite.
- The road team has won seven of Baylor's last nine games.
- Baylor has failed to cover the spread in nine of its last 10 games at McLane Stadium.
Baylor Team Preview
The Baylor Bears come into the 2024 campaign looking to rebound from another step back in 2023, seeing their win total cut in half for the second straight season, finishing with a 3-9 overall record including a 2-7 mark in Big 12 conference play. The offense should take a step in the right direction with Dequan Finn transferring in from Toledo while Sawyer Robertson knows the system after being the backup in Waco last season.
The Bears have a three-pronged attack at RB with Dominic Richardson, Richard Reese and Dawson Pendergrass all back after combining for over 1,100 yards and 8 rushing TDs last year. Monaray Baldwin is back to lead the Bears’ receiving group while Ketron Jackson is the deep threat in Baylor’s offense. Ashtyn Hawkins also follows his old coach and new Baylor OC Jake Spavital from Texas State with Hawkins putting up solid numbers with the Bobcats over the last few seasons.
On defense, Cooper Lanz and Treven Ma’ae are back on the defensive line and Matt Jones is back at linebacker after leading Baylor in tackles last season. Caden Jenkins will headman Baylor’s secondary while Chateau Reed and Tevin Williams return as well. Devyn Bobby comes back at safety after logging 76 tackles to finish second on the Bears last year as well.
Why the Baylor Bears will win
- Baylor has won each of its last five games against non-FBS teams.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of Baylor's last three games.
Tarleton vs. Baylor Prediction
I’m on Baylor here. I think things can only go up from here for the Bears and I think Baylor will be out to send a message early that last year is in the rear view. This is a talented Tarleton offense, but they’re really good against teams on their level. When the Texans stepped up to Texas Tech last year, they lost 41-3, and I think they could be in for another rough outing here. Give me the Bears.
Chris’s Pick Baylor -26.5
AUTHOR: Chris Ruffolo
Mitch's Take...
