The Samford Bulldogs will travel to McLane Stadium in Waco, TX, to play against the Baylor Bears in Week 3 of the 2025 regular season. This afternoon game is scheduled for September 13, 2025, at 12:00 PM and will be broadcast on ESPN+. Both teams are looking to build momentum early in their seasons.
Samford enters the contest with a 0-1 record, having lost their last game 45-7 against the Florida Gators on the road. As an independent team without a conference affiliation, they face challenges in gaining traction against established programs. Their performance against Florida, particularly in passing and rushing yards, leaves much room for improvement.
Baylor, a member of the Big 12 Conference, stands at 1-1 this season, having secured an exciting 48-45 victory against SMU Mustangs on the road. Despite a tough 38-24 home loss to Auburn in Week 1, Baylor’s passing game remains a strong suit. Playing at home again, they will aim to leverage their offensive capabilities to secure a win against Samford.
Baylor vs Samford At a Glance
- Game Venue: McLane Stadium in Waco, TX, with an outdoor field setting.
- TV Channel: Catch the game on ESPN+.
- Baylor Bears Record: 1-1 this season, with their latest win against SMU Mustangs, 48-45.
- Samford Bulldogs Record: 0-1 this season, facing a tough loss to Florida Gators, 45-7.
- Game Date and Time: Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 12:00 PM.
- Odds: Baylor is favored with a -46.5 spread, with a total over/under set at 58.5.
Baylor Bears: Analyzing the Road Team’s Chances
Offensive Performance
The Baylor Bears have demonstrated a strong passing game, ranking 2nd nationally with 859 passing yards in the 2025 season. Sawyer Robertson has been instrumental in this performance, leading the team with impressive numbers.
In contrast, their rushing attack has been less effective, ranked 94th with just 225 rushing yards. This disparity in offensive strategy could be a focal point in their upcoming game.
Defensive Insights
Defensively, Baylor has shown strength in sacks, ranking 8th nationally with 3 sacks. This pressure on opposing quarterbacks could be critical in disrupting the opponent’s passing game.
However, the Bears have struggled with fumble recoveries, recording none so far, which could be an area to address to improve turnover differential.
Key Players to Watch
Bryson Washington has been a notable contributor from the backfield, accumulating 169 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. His ability to gain crucial yards on the ground adds a dimension to Baylor’s offense.
On the receiving end, Josh Cameron and Ashtyn Hawkins have been reliable targets, combining for over 400 receiving yards. Their consistent play will be vital in maintaining the Bears’ aerial threat.
Injury Concerns
Baylor’s roster faces some injury concerns, with key players like Michael Trigg and Corey Kelly listed as questionable. Their availability could significantly impact the team’s depth and performance.
Additionally, the absence of Devin Turner for the entire season due to a knee injury is a setback for the Bears’ defensive unit.
Betting Trends
- SU All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU in Home Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS as Underdog: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Totals ≥ 50: 1-0 (100.0%)
Samford Bulldogs: A Look at Their Upcoming Game
Offensive Overview
The Samford Bulldogs’ offense has struggled, ranking 134th with just 7 points scored in their last game. Their passing game has been ineffective, ranking 181st with 144 yards. Similarly, their rushing attack is lagging, ranking 195th with 62 yards.
Defensive Struggles
On defense, the Bulldogs have allowed 45 points, ranking them 17th in points against. They haven’t recorded any sacks, placing them 46th in that category. Despite this, they managed to recover 1 fumble, which ranks 15th.
Quarterback Play
Quincy Crittendon, the Bulldogs’ quarterback, managed to throw for 144 yards in his first game. He did not throw any touchdowns or interceptions, a performance that ranks him 311th for passing yards. His fantasy points total stands at 5.4, ranking him 6324th.
Running Back Performance
Damonta Witherspoon leads the Bulldogs’ rushing attack with 26 yards and 1 touchdown, ranking 1104th in rushing yards. Micah Kelly and Ken Cherry contributed 17 and 7 yards, respectively, but did not find the end zone. Witherspoon’s fantasy points are 9.9, while Kelly and Cherry have 1.7 and 0.7, respectively.
Receiving Corps
The Bulldogs’ receivers are led by D.J. Rias, who caught 4 passes for 44 yards. Brendan Jenkins, who is now with the South Alabama Jaguars, added 51 yards on 4 receptions. Iaan Cousin also contributed with 3 catches for 21 yards.
Kicking Game
Forrest Taylor is the team’s kicker, who has made 1 extra point but has not attempted any field goals. His fantasy points tally is at 1.0, ranking him 9310th. The kicking game will need to step up to help in close games.
Recent Performance
In their recent game against the Florida Gators, the Bulldogs lost 45-7. They struggled to move the chains with only 15 first downs compared to Florida’s 22. Their defense allowed 466 passing yards, indicating room for improvement.
Betting Trends
- The Bulldogs are 0-1 against the spread this season.
- Samford has not covered the spread in any away games this year.
- The total has gone over in 0 of Samford’s games this season.
Baylor vs Samford Prediction: Over 58.5
Baylor’s potent offense has demonstrated impressive capabilities this season, ranking second in passing yards with 859 and scoring 72 points across two games. Their scoring prowess was evident in their recent outing against LSU, where they put up 31 points. Given their offensive capability, Baylor is likely to contribute significantly to the total score in this contest.
Samford, despite their struggles, has shown vulnerability on defense, allowing 45 points in their only game last season. The combination of Baylor’s offensive strength and Samford’s defensive weaknesses sets the stage for a high-scoring encounter. The expectation is for Samford to concede a substantial number of points, driving the score higher.
The total set for this game is 58.5, and Baylor’s scoring tendencies this season suggest they can single-handedly approach this number. Even with Samford’s limited offensive production, Baylor’s ability to score in bunches will likely push the total over. Considering these factors, the over is a favorable option for this game.
Projected final score: Baylor 52 – Samford 14. This projection anticipates Baylor’s offensive dominance, leading to a comfortable victory while hitting the over with ease.
- Baylor vs Samford Prediction: Over 58.5
- Baylor vs Samford Score: Baylor 52 – Samford 14
