Illinois @ Baylor preview
NRG Stadium
The Skinny: In four previous games, the Texas Bowl has mustered strong support from the football community in Houston, but the games have not exactly been dramatic, with only one game decided by less than 22 points. That may change this year with Illinois and Baylor in the mix. Both certainly have a flair for the dramatic.
Baylor (7-5, 4-4 Big 12) became bowl eligible after beating Kansas State, then followed that with its first road victory over Texas since 1991, but lost its last three games. Illinois (6-6, 4-4 Big Ten) lost a thrilling triple-overtime game against Michigan, but came back to beat Northwestern 48-27 at Wrigley Field, a victory that made the Illini bowl eligible.
Point Spread: Baylor -1.5. Over/under – 62.5
Baylor's edge: The Bears can put points on the board, scoring 32.58 points per game — only once did they score fewer than 24 points. Baylor is a balanced team which averages 200.5 yards rushing and 278 yards passing, leaving it ranked No. 12 in the nation. Running back Jay Finley has rushed for 1,155 yards and 11 touchdowns. Baylor may have an edge in special teams with punter Derek Epperson (44.20 yard average) and kicker Aaron Jones, who has made 19 of 26 field goals and 44 of 45 PATs for 101 points.
Illinois' edge: Coach Ron Zook’s team prefers to keep the ball on the ground. Led by Mikel Leshoure (1,513 yards, 14 TDs), the nation’s No. 8 rusher, the Illini average 242.33 yards rushing per game, which ranks 13th in the NCAA. The Illini hope their dependable defense can rise to the occasion again. Illinois permitted opponents to gain 344.17 yards per game (38th in the nation) and its 24.25 points-allowed average was skewed by the 67-65 three OT loss to Michigan State.
The Quarterbacks: Both teams feature two-way threats at quarterback. Baylor's Robert Griffin III prefers to throw the ball. He completed 274 of 413 passes for 3,195 yards and 21 touchdowns, with only eight interceptions. Griffin ran for 591 yards and eight scores. Nathan Scheelhaase of Illinois threw for 1,583 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushed for 815 yards and four touchdowns.
NFL Prospects: Baylor — DT Phil Taylor, OT Danny Watkins, P Derek Epperson. Illinois — DE Clay Nurse, P Anthony Santella, OLB Nate Bussey.
Bowl history: Illinois is returning to bowl action for the first time since it played Southern Cal in the 2008 Rose Bowl, a game it lost 49-17. The Illini are 6-8 in bowl games and have lost five of their last seven bowls. Baylor is 8-8 in bowl games, but will be making its first bowl appearance since 1994, when the Bears played Washington State in the Alamo Bowl and posted a 10-3 victory.
Etc.: Baylor linebacker Chris Francis may miss the game with a lacerated liver. ... Illinois dismissed linebacker Evan Frierson from the team after he was arrested for aggravated battery.