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If the Baylor Bears can play a whole game consistently like they did in the second half of the past two, then they would be in the thick of the Big 12 South race.
In the second half against Nebraska two weeks ago, the Bears outscored the Cornhuskers 10-0. And in the second half Saturday at Missouri, the Bears had a 24-5 edge.That begs the question: What type of halftime speech has coach Art Briles been delivering.?"It’s certainly got nothing to do with the halftime speech," Briles said during Tuesday’s media luncheon. "I think it’s just our guys continuing to play hard."I think positive plays create momentum and confidence, and that equates to good playing on the football field. I think we are playing at a pretty fast pace, and I think as the game prolongs, if you can maintain that level, then you have a chance to make good plays later in the game."The Bears lost to Nebraska 20-10, but won 40-32 at Missouri. It was Baylor’s first Big 12 road win since a 34-31 triple overtime victory at Colorado on Oct. 7, 2006.Win is expected Art Briles is overjoyed by beating Missouri, but he wants to make one thing clear."Soon, it needs to be where [winning is] not unexpected, but it’s expected," Briles said. "And that’s the point that we’ve got to get to as a program."Bowl still possibleWith three games left, the Bears (4-5) have a chance to become bowl eligible for the first time since 1994.Baylor has games remaining at home against Texas at 11 a.m. Saturday, at Texas A&M on Nov. 21, and at the Dallas Cowboys’ new stadium in Arlington against Texas Tech on Nov. 28. If the Bears win two of three, they will become bowl eligible.Baylor players and coaches believe becoming bowl eligible is possible, regardless of what the critics say."Maybe within our locker room, that’s definitely on our minds," linebacker Joe Pawelek said."But outside our locker room, outside of this building, a lot of people are maybe kind of writing us off. But if we take care of our business, then we can make something special happen."Senior momentSaturday will be the final game at Floyd Casey Stadium for several Baylor seniors."It seems like yesterday I was running out of the tunnel to play TCU here," free safety Jordan Lake said, referring to the 2006 home opener.A win over UT would be a fitting sendoff, Lake said."I’d love to go out with a win to end Floyd Casey," Lake said. "Against the No. 2 team in the nation would be obviously something you’ll remember for the rest of your life."Dwain Price, 817-390-7760
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