Sam Houston State @ Baylor preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 4, 2010 ) Sam Houston State 3, Baylor 34

Following an early week off, Baylor will play its second in-state foe in as many weeks when it hosts 2011 FCS runner-up Sam Houston State on Saturday night. The Bearkats’ reward for a Week 1 victory of its own is Baylor’s potent offense, which scored 59 points against Southern Methodist in its opener. Sam Houston State, though, hasn’t dropped a regular-season contest since Nov. 6 2010. Baylor, meanwhile, finds itself right outside of the Top 25, needing to reestablish much of the respect it earned last season when it finished third in the Big 12.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Fox College Sports. LINE: None

ABOUT SAM HOUSTON STATE (1-0): The Bearkats returned all but three of their 2011 starters when they went undefeated through the regular season and are ranked second in FCS poll. One of Sam Houston State’s biggest assets remains junior running back Tim Flanders. In the opener against Incarnate Word, Flanders carried 15 times for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Brian Bell also produced with two touchdown passes. But the Bearkats turned the ball over twice, something they will need to avoid against Baylor, which will most certainly capitalize. They did force two turnovers of their own, however, and if the defense can do that against Baylor, the offense is talented enough to hang around awhile.

ABOUT BAYLOR (1-0): Take one look at the Baylor roster and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III’s absence stands out prominently, but the offense is still as efficient as it was without its former leader. Quarterback Nick Florence toasted the SMU secondary in Week 1, throwing for 341 yards and four touchdowns. The rushing game was equally successful with Jarred Salubi averaging 7.0 yards per carry and he and fellow running back Giasco Martin both have big-play potential. The big question marks are on the other side of the ball as the defense let up 507 yards of total offense against SMU.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Baylor is 3-0 all-time against Sam Houston State with the most recent meeting 34-3 in 2010.

2. Sam Houston State won its road opener last season over New Mexico 48-45 in overtime.

3. Three players on the Bearkats’ roster will return to their hometown of Waco, Texas, including wide receiver Torrance Williams.

PREDICTION: Baylor 49, Sam Houston State 24