Oklahoma @ Baylor preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 10, 2009 ) Baylor 7, Oklahoma 33

Baylor is bowl eligible for the first time since 1995. The Bears can break another streak Saturday when No. 14 Oklahoma visits Floyd Casey Stadium for a prime-time Big 12 South showdown.

Baylor is 0-19 against Oklahoma all-time, with the majority of the defeats coming in blowout fashion. But this isn't the same old Baylor squad. The Bears have a big-time dual-threat quarterback in Robert Griffin. The sophomore is fourth in the nation in total offense, averaging 325 yards per game.

While Griffin is the catalyst for the nation's ninth-ranked offense, coach Art Broyles has compiled a team full of weapons. Senior running back Jay Finley has rushed for more than 1,000 yards and wideout Kendall Wright is among the Big 12's best in receiving yards per game. That trio has helped the Bears average 33 points per game.

There's more reasons why this could be Baylor's year to knock off the Sooners (8-2, 4-2 Big 12). Not only are the Bears (7-4, 4-3) vastly improved, but Oklahoma, by its lofty standards, also isn't as dominant as it has been in years past -- especially on the road.

Both of Oklahoma's losses have came on the road, at Missouri and Texas A&M. Those two defeats came within three weeks of the Sooners opening as the No. 1 team in the BCS ratings in October.

Oklahoma rebounded from the sloppy loss at Texas A&M to smoke Texas Tech 45-7 in Norman last week. That's been the story of the Sooners this season -- dominant at home and unimpressive on the road. The defense is allowing 32.6 points per game in true road games, but only 13.6 at home.

The offense has been just as erratic on the road. It starts with quarterback Landry Jones, who has put up Heisman-caliber numbers at home, but has yet to put together a clutch performance on the road. Special teams owns part of the blame, too. The Sooners have given up kickoff returns for touchdowns in each of their two losses and the kicking game also has been inconsistent.

Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray, who was injured in last week's game, is expected to play. Murray is Oklahoma's career touchdown and all-purpose yards leader.

The Sooners will not have starting defensive tackle Adrian Taylor, who tore his Achilles against Texas Tech and is out for the season. Oklahoma was already banged up on the defensive line and also will be without starting tackle Casey Walker.

Baylor also has injury issues on defense. Starting corner Chance Casey (leg) and starting linebacker Elliot Coffey (ankle) are questionable for Saturday's game.

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops is 11-0 against Baylor, with his teams winning by a 30-point average margin of victory.

The Sooners trail Oklahoma State by one game in the Big 12 South standings. Oklahoma goes to Stillwater to face the 10th-ranked Cowboys next week.