LSU vs Baylor Kinder's Texas Bowl Preview

Erik Trosclair • December 31, 2024

Let's get into it!

Spread: Baylor -4
O/U: 60.5

Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX

Date and TV: December 31, 2024, 2:30 PM, ESPN


For the 1st time since 1985, LSU and Baylor will be meeting on the gridiron. LSU leads the all time series 8-3. The 1st meeting between the 2 schools came in 1907, and the Tigers won by a score of 48-0.


Baylor, 8-4, 6-3, comes into the contest as one of the hottest teams in the nation, winning the final 6 games of the season. The Bears' offense ranks 3rd in the Big 12 in total yards per game (434.5), 7th in the Big 12 in passing yards per game (246), and 6th in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game (188.5). Quarterback Sawyer Robertson is the leader of this offense. Robertson has 2626 passing yards, 26 passing TDs (4th in the Big 12), 7 INTs, 227 rushing yards, and 4 rushing TDs on the season. Running back Bryson Washington has had a great season. Washington has 1004 rushing yards (8th in the Big 12), 12 rushing TDs (7th in the Big 12), 217 receiving yards, and 1 receiving TD. Josh Cameron and Ashtyn Hawkins are the leading pass catchers on the team. Cameron has 44 receptions, 643 receiving yards, and 9 TDs. Hawkins has 41 receptions, 512 receiving yards, and 4 TDs. The Bears defense ranks 10th in the Big 12 in total yards per game given up (382.8), 11th in the Big 12 in passing yards per game given up (227.6), and 11th in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game given up (155.2). Linebackers Keaton Thomas and Matt Jones are in the top 4 in the Big 12 in total tackles. The leaders in the defensive back room are Lorando Johnson and Devyn Bobby. Bobby has 3 INTs this season. Johnson ranks 3rd in the Big 12 with 10 PBUs. The leaders on the defensive line are Treven Ma'ae and Jackie Marshall. Ma'ae has 3.5 sacks this season, and Marshall has 3 sacks this season. Baylor has zero opt outs for the NFL Draft, but they have lost 4 players to the transfer portal.


LSU, 8-4, 5-3, enters this game having won the final 2 games of the regular season. The Tiger offense ranks 5th in the SEC in total yards per game (431.9), 2nd in the SEC in passing yards per game (315.3), and 16th in the SEC in rushing yards per game. The Tiger offense is led by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. Nuss ranks 2nd in the SEC in passing yards (3739) and passing TDs (26). He has the 2nd most INTs in the SEC with 11. The running back room is led by Josh Willams and Caden Durham. Williams has 108 carries, 440 yards, 5 TDs, 29 receptions, and 249 receiving yards on the season. Durham has 127 carries, 693 yards, 6 TDs, 27 receptions, 257 receiving yards, and 2 TDs on the season. The leading pass catchers for the Tigers are Kyren Lacy, Mason Taylor, and Aaron Anderson. Lacy has 58 receptions (5th in the SEC), 886 yards (5th in the SEC), and 9 TDs (1st in the SEC) on the season. Taylor has 55 receptions (7th in the SEC), 546 yards, and 2 TDs on the season. Anderson has 53 receptions (10th in the SEC), 784 yards (11th in the SEC), and 5 TDs on the season. The LSU defense ranks 11th in the SEC in total yards per game given up (352.5), 7th in the SEC in passing yards per game given up (205.9), and 13th in the SEC in rushing yards per game given up (146.6). The linebacker room is led by Whit Weeks and Greg Penn III. Weeks ranks 3rd in the SEC with 114 total tackles this season. GP3 has 80 total tackles this season. The defensive line is led by Bradyn Swinson and Sai'vion Jones. Swinson ranks 5th in the SEC with 8.5 sacks this season. Jones has 4.5 sacks this season. The defensive back room is led by Ashton Stamps and Zy Alexander. Stamps ranks 5th in the SEC with 9 PBUs on the season. Alexander has 2 INTs on the season. The Tigers will be without Will Campbell, Emery Jones, Mason Taylor, and Kyren Lacy, who are all getting ready for the NFL Draft. Sage Ryan, CJ Daniels, Rickie Collins, Da'Shawn Womack, Shelton Sampson, Jr., Kylin Jackson, Xavier Atkins, Jyaire Brown, and Jordan Allen, among others, have entered the transfer portal for the Tigers.


Fun Fact: Baylor head coach, Dave Aranda, was the LSU defensive coordinator from 2016-2019.


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Tulane Green Wave card of Jake Randle in white uniform running on a teal-blue background

🌊Class of 2026 Spotlight🌊: 
Jake Randle

By Patrick Harkness • July 12, 2026
RB 
Jake Randle @JakeRandle22 
Jake Randle is a versatile running back from the Class of 2026, known for his speed and agility. Standing at 5-10 and weighing 190 pounds, he has a compact, athletic build suited for the position with potential to add more muscle in college. 
Hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana, Randle attended Isidore Newman School, a program with a strong football tradition. He comes from a family of football players, which has influenced his development on the field. 
In addition to football, Randle is a multi-sport athlete with experience in track and field, where he recorded an 11.48-second 100-meter dash and a 23.36-second 200-meter dash as a sophomore. 
During his senior year in 2025, Randle transitioned to quarterback for his team, showcasing his adaptability and team-first mentality. 
Scouting Report: 
Speed and Athleticism: Clocked a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, a 37-inch vertical, and a 10-foot-1-inch broad jump at Tulane’s camp. His top-end speed reaches 21.53 mph, making him fastest on his team. Track background enhances his burst and long-speed. 
Versatility and Hands: Excelled as a receiver out of the backfield with reliable hands and lateral quickness. His successful switch to quarterback in 2025 demonstrates adaptability and football IQ. 
Vision and Elusiveness: Shows good patience and cut-back ability, averaging over 9 yards per carry in his junior year. Effective in open space and as a third-down back. 
Work Ethic and Leadership: Never missed a weight room session, served as team captain, and thrived under pressure in big games and position changes. 
Upside: Multi-sport profile and family football background suggest high developmental potential. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X
Tulane Green Wave sports card featuring Jaylin Lucas in a teal and gold border, crouching on the field

🌊Transfer Portal Spotlight🌊: 
Jaylin Lucas

By Patrick Harkness • July 12, 2026
RB 
Jaylin Lucas- FSU @jaylinlucas1 
Hall is rebuilding the attack around tempo, a passing game, pro-style elements (heavy tight end usage), more speed, and big-play explosiveness. He created the “Super Back” position specifically for versatile, mismatch-creating weapons like Lucas and Maurice Turner: “Mo and Jaylin will be our ‘X’ factor,” Hall said. “They’ll line up in the backfield, in the slot, everywhere. (Think Percy Harvin Role) 
They’re Darren Sproles, Reggie Bush, Christian McCaffrey-type players. Hall calls it the Super Back position.” 
Hall explicitly plans to deploy Lucas the same way Reggie Bush was used at USC, motion, screens, receiving, and explosive runs. 
In spring ball, Lucas has already flashed: “You’ll see him everywhere. Screen, passing game, he caught a hitch on the first day.” His twitch and speed were immediately noticeable, aligning perfectly with Hall’s vision for an entertaining, big-play offense. Lucas’s career production backs it up: 719 rushing yards & 4 TDs, 456 receiving yards & 2 TDs, plus elite special teams (1,420 kickoff return yards & 3 TDs, plus punt returns). He instantly upgrades both the backfield and return game after Tulane lost specialists. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X
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