Baylor @ West Virginia preview

Fans of the Washington Redskins and the University of West Virginia may be the only ones not lamenting the fact that Robert Griffin III opted to leave the college game following his junior year. No. 24 Baylor could certainly use the star quarterback as it prepares for a Big 12 Conference matchup with Geno Smith and No. 7 West Virginia on Saturday. Smith has been spectacular in leading the Mountaineers to a 3-0 start and is among the front-runners to succeed Griffin as the Heisman Trophy winner. Baylor moved into the Top 25 following last week's win at Louisiana-Monroe and is actually averaging four more points than West Virginia (51.3 to 47.3). The conference opener for both teams will also be the first matchup between the schools.

TV: Noon ET, FX. LINE: West Virginia -12.5

ABOUT BAYLOR (3-0): Despite losing Griffin and first-round pick wide receiver Kendall Wright, Baylor owns the second-longest active winning streak in the FBS at nine games - second only to TCU (11) - and needs one more victory to tie the all-time school record set in 1936-37. Senior quarterback Nick Florence leads the nation in total offense, averaging 387.7 yards per game, and has tossed 11 scoring passes versus four interceptions. The Bears have scored at least 45 points in seven straight games after overcoming an early 14-0 deficit at Louisiana-Monroe, a team that has already beaten Arkansas and pushed Auburn to the wire. Defense has been a huge issue for Baylor, which is surrendering nearly 493 yards per game. Only eight FBS schools have yielded more.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA (3-0): The Mountaineers came back to earth a bit in last week's 31-21 victory over Maryland after amassing 111 points in their first two victories. Smith threw for 363 yards and three scoring passes despite not playing without leading rusher Shawne Alston, who missed virtually the entire game with a thigh bruise. Smith has thrown for 1,072 yards with 12 touchdowns and zero interceptions while connecting on 81.4 percent of his passes. He has dangerous threats in wide receivers Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey, who each have five touchdown receptions. Austin had 13 receptions for 179 yards and three scoring passes against Maryland. His 13 catches tied a school record set by Bailey the previous week against James Madison.

EXTRA POINTS

1. West Virginia is 9-1 in its last 10 homecoming games.

2. The Bears, who are playing the first of three straight Top 25 teams, have never beaten a ranked conference opponent on the road (0-25).

3. Baylor coach Art Briles and West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen were assistants on Texas Tech's staff from 2000-2002.

PREDICTION: West Virginia 45, Baylor 34