Just one year after enduring a difficult 1-11 season, Baylor football is back in a bowl game. The Bears will take on Vanderbilt in the Texas Bowl.

Baylor had several speed bumps in the second year of the Matt Rhule era in Waco. A loss against TCU late in the year seemed to squash bowl hopes. Losing to Duke early in the year was cause for worry too with a difficult conference schedule. However, the Bears managed to make just enough plays to reach six wins. Now, they're rewarded with a virtual home game. 

Vandy was just 3-5 with four games remaining, but managed to rally at the last minute to beat Arkansas, Tennessee and Ole Miss to earn a bowl trip. However, the Commodores’ three wins over Power Five teams came against opponents with three combined conference wins.

Here’s our full preview of the 2018 Texas Bowl, presented by TicketCity. If you’re going to the game, make sure and watch out for DCTF’s presentation of Mr. Texas Football to Mission Veterans Memorial quarterback Landry Gilpin.

Texas Bowl details

When: 8 p.m. on Dec. 27

Where: NRG Stadium in Houston

Point spread: Vanderbilt -4

What channel is Baylor vs. Vanderbilt on?

Baylor vs. Vanderbilt will be broadcast live on ESPN. It can also be streamed live on WatchESPN.

How can I buy tickets to Baylor vs. Vanderbilt?

Click here to buy tickets to the Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium in Houston

Texas Bowl preview

Moving the ball

Baylor doesn’t have the same exciting offense that it had in the previous administration, but it is effective. In conference play, only Oklahoma averaged more first downs per game. Because of that consistency, the Bears led the Big 12 with 77.4 plays per game in conference play.

Quarterback Charlie Brewer has a knack for making the right play at the right time. He averaged 7.4 yards per pass attempt with 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Even though the run game wasn’t always effective, the Bears were second in the conference with 10.6 first downs per game on the ground. Many came from Brewer’s legs.

Containing big plays

Vanderbilt isn’t typically known for exciting offensive players, but several upperclassmen stepped up in the final weeks to launch them to victory. Running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn rushed for more than 120 yards and a touchdown in three of the last four games. He was critical in wins over Arkansas and Ole Miss. Quarterback Kyle Shumur isn’t spectacular, but has made major strides in 2018.

Baylor has struggled mightily at defending the big play. The Bears rank outside of the top 100 in explosive play defense. We broke down their woes earlier in the year. Baylor has to limit those plays, especially in the run game.

Big opportunity

Eight years ago, Baylor football earned its first bowl trip in 16 years to the Texas Bowl. The Bears played a bad game and lost easily against Illinois. However, the momentum from making a bowl carried into the 2011 season, when Robert Griffin III captured the Heisman Trophy.

The Bears have a chance to do that once again. Brewer isn’t a Heisman hopeful like Griffin, but he’s a special underclassman quarterback. The Bears have a plethora of experience returning on both sides of the ball. The Texas Bowl has the ability to be a building block. Now it’s up to the players to make it that.

Players to watch

Vanderbilt: RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn

Vaughn nearly quit football after leaving Illinois’ program, but eventually found his way to a starring role at Vanderbilt. The Nashville native exploded for 93 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries against Nevada, and quickly became a featured piece. Vaughn received double-digit carries in six games. In those matchups, he posted 129 yards per game, 7.4 yards per carry and nine total touchdowns.

Baylor: DT James Lynch

The Bears’ defensive line is still trying to find its rhythm under head coach Matt Rhule, but Lynch has been a welcome exception. The one-time USC commit has jumped to the best player on defense as just a sophomore. Lynch leads the team with nine tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and six quarterback hurries. It will be critical for him to make Shurmur uncomfortable.

Score prediction: Vanderbilt 37, Baylor 27