Tarleton State Texans vs. Baylor Bears 8/31/2024 – The college football season is upon us, and on Saturday, August 31, 2024, the Tarleton State Texans will travel to McLane Stadium to take on the Baylor Bears. This matchup marks a critical early-season contest for both teams, with Tarleton State entering with a record of 1-0 after a successful opener, while Baylor is set to kick off its season. The Texans are looking to continue their momentum, but they face the formidable challenge of an established FBS program at Baylor. For fans seeking NCAAF exclusive free tips, this game provides an excellent opportunity to analyze the dynamics at play.
Tarleton State Texans vs. Baylor Bears 8/31/2024 Game Info |
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| When: | Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET |
| Where: | McLane Stadium |
| TV: | ESP+ |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Tarleton State Texans (1-0) vs. Baylor Bears (0-0)
The Tarleton State Texans are coming into this contest with a spring in their stride after a W in their season opener. They were able to exhibit some efficient offense and solid defense, which ought to give them some level of confidence when playing against a stronger opponent like Baylor. Nevertheless, it has been a persistent history for the Texans, especially on the road against FBS teams, that it is undesirable. The Texans will have to come up to the game and put all their energy into the game because it is expected to be tough.
At the same time, the Baylor Bears are well aware that the year 2024 has begun, and making noise will be of paramount importance as they begin their campaign. The Bears are coming into the match with a record of 0-0, but the recent games give them a serious advantage, history bears. The Bears have been effective at home and will go to this game with something to protect, especially since they have been effective against non-FBS teams. Fans are going to want to see the Bears make an impressive start to the campaign in this season opener.
Tarleton State Texans Rushing and Receiving
As the Texans get ready for their match, some key players must step up. Most importantly, quarterback Victor Gabalis is very instrumental in their winning tackles. Gabalis managed to register 140 yards in the passing game in his debut, finishing the game with a 61.1 percent completion and a passer rating of 144.8. Therefore, even while being a little green, Gabalis’s leadership and team management skills have already started coming to the fore. There is also the very crucial consideration to know whether he will remain calm under pressure against the Baylor defense, which is quite a tough one.
Apart from Gabalis, Tarleton State also hopes that running back Kayvon Britten will make an impact. Britten was terrific in their last outing, as he managed to rush for 164 yards on 25 carries with an average of 6.6 yards per carry. He will be central for the Texans in forming chances for the ground attack and relieving the NJIT defence on their quarterback. Darius Cooper, who had 85 receiving yards in the last game, also adds options in the passing game. Tarleton’s success will be similar to the Fresno State Bulldog vs Michigan defense today, the establishing of their run game will be critical.
Baylor Bears Rushing and Receiving
On the other hand, Baylor’s naturally flexible and aggressive attacking side guarantees their competitiveness. In this sense, quarterback Blake Shapen generates some interest; last season, he dragged the team to 2188 passing yards with an impressive 61.7% completion rate. Looking at Shapen’s statistics, he had touchdown passes 13, and interception passes three, which clearly shows his proper use of the ball and the capacity to direct the game. For Baylor to control the tempo and number of scoring chances, it is essential to combine his experience and sound judgment.
In the Baylor run game, the running back that leads the charge is Dominic Richardson, who contributed 519 rushing yards on 125 attempts last season, averaging 4.2 yards per carry and registering 1 rushing touchdown. A consistent pitcher of the ball like Richardson will also help balance off the offensive game, which is very necessary, especially in attacking the Tarleton State defense. Also, wide receiver Monaray Baldwin was a significant contributor to the passing game with 623 yards and 4 touchdowns last season. With his speed, however, he can open the field, giving Shapen many alternatives on how to take advantage of defensive weaknesses. Another exciting game will be between Notre Dame vs Texas A&M today.
Victor Gabalis QB vs. Blake Shapen QB
Looking at the fields filled by the quarterbacks, Tarleton’s Victors Gabalis approaches the contest with both hope and fear. His preliminary numbers appear encouraging. However, this time around, Gabalis will be facing Shapen, who is a more experienced player. Gabalis should control his inclination to take risks concerning decision-making since he has never been in the way of an FBS defensive line before. Being calm under duress will be of paramount importance in this fight. Should Gabalis manage to exploit the Texans’ run game and work within the short-passing game, there is still hope for the team’s success.
On the other hand, Blake Shapen has proved to be reassuringly consistent in the pocket for Baylor. Presenting a passer rating of 135.8 along with the impressive game management attribute, he is a prime possession in leading the Bears’ offensive unit. He holds the upper hand in this encounter due to his experience against some tough opponents. For Baylor to take advantage of this, Shapen will have to get in the rhythm of the play very fast, especially within the first half, so that the team will be confident enough to chase a vast spread.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Baylor Bears -27.5 (-110), Total Odds: 55.5 under -112
The current betting odds heavily favor the Baylor Bears, with a significant spread of -27.5 that reflects the expectation for them to dominate the Texans. The total for the game is set at 55.5, with the oddsmakers indicating a focus on the potential for Baylor’s offensive capabilities to dictate a high-scoring game.
For bettors, these generous spreads indicate confidence in Baylor’s ability to assert themselves. However, with Baylor’s recent trend of struggling to cover the spread, cautious consideration is warranted before committing to its superior stature over Tarleton.
Tarleton State Texans Betting Trends
The betting trends for Tarleton State paint a challenging narrative. Having lost 10 consecutive games straight up casts considerable doubt on their ability to mount a successful offensive and defensive response against Baylor. Moreover, their continued loss streak on the road (0-19) and 0-6 record in Week 1 game situations severely diminishes their outlook, particularly against formidable opponents.
Despite these struggles, Tarleton’s performance against the spread shows some glimmers of potential, with the possibility of covering based on their strong start this season. Observing their ability to follow through with betting trends will be essential as they confront these early-season obstacles.
Baylor Bears Betting Trends
Conversely, Baylor’s betting trends offer much more promise. The Bears have demonstrated a solid 6-2 record against the spread in their last eight games, hinting at their ability to outperform expectations. However, a troubling note is their inconsistency as a favorite, having lost four of their previous five games in this position. Importantly, Baylor has shown resilience against non-FBS teams, winning each of their last five matchups against such opponents. Their record at McLane Stadium has been successful, though covering the spread has been elusive, as indicated by their 9 of their last 10 games without a cover.
Tarleton State Texans vs. Baylor Bears 8/31/2024 Betting Picks
As the game approaches, the sentiment clearly favors the Baylor Bears not only to win but to cover the sizable spread. Given the disparities in team dynamics and performance levels, Baylor should be expected to demonstrate their superiority effectively.
Betting enthusiasts might consider looking into prop bets surrounding Shapen’s passing touchdowns or touches for Richardson, as both could yield value depending on their usage in this game. Additionally, considering the total at 55.5 may indicate room for manipulation depending on Baylor’s proficiency in breaking down Tarleton’s defense, suggesting that an OVER bet could be favorable here. Handicapping top services might lean towards considering Baylor reaching a high score while limiting the opposition.