TCU Faces Baylor With Injury Concerns And Season On The Line

FORT WORTH - TCU football heads into Saturday night's rivalry showdown against Baylor with something considerably more important than bragging rights at stake. The Horned Frogs desperately need a victory, and an uncertain injury situation could complicate their attempt to salvage a disappointing season.

Sonny Dykes' team enters the 122nd meeting between the longtime rivals at 2-3 overall and 0-2 in Big 12 play. Baylor, meanwhile, is riding a four-game winning streak, sitting at 4-1 and undefeated in conference competition.

MORE: Ex TCU Star Has Opportunity to Step Up for Saints Amid Alvin Kamara Injury Concerns

The latest injury updates provide TCU with some encouraging news.

Tight end Kari Ashley and wide receiver Jeremy Scott were both listed as probable in Wednesday's Big 12 availability report, potentially giving quarterback Jaden Craig two important offensive options.

Kicker Kyle Lemmermann remains a question mark, while receiver F. Fierro and linebacker M. Short are among the Horned Frogs listed out in separate injury reporting.

Baylor has its own personnel problems.

Defensive lineman Devonte Tezino and wide receiver Ashton Jones were listed out in Wednesday's report. Safety Cole Redding has also been sidelined by a season-ending knee injury, while receiver T. Williams Jr. has been dealing with a collarbone injury.

Those absences could influence a matchup featuring two offenses heading in opposite directions.

TCU managed just 10 points in its Oct. 3 loss to BYU despite a defensive performance that kept the Horned Frogs within striking distance throughout the afternoon.

Craig threw for a season-low 187 yards against the Cougars, a significant drop from his previous production.

For the season, Craig has accumulated 1,400 passing yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions. Running back Jeremy Payne leads the rushing attack with 432 yards.

Unfortunately, those individual numbers haven't translated into enough victories.

Baylor quarterback DJ Lagway presents another difficult assignment for TCU's defense.

Lagway threw for 306 yards and four touchdowns in the Bears' 55-19 dismantling of Arizona State, helping Baylor remain unbeaten in Big 12 competition.

The Bears have outscored opponents 158-54 during their current winning streak.

"We're not done becoming who we can become yet," Baylor coach Dave Aranda said this week. "We haven't done anything yet."

History provides some encouragement for TCU.

The Horned Frogs lead the all-time series 60-54-7 and won last year's meeting 42-36. They've also benefited from extra preparation time under Dykes, who owns an 11-4 record following extended breaks.

But Saturday's game won't be decided by history.

MORE: TCU Faces Critical Baylor Rivalry Showdown After Two Big 12 Losses

TCU must protect Craig, eliminate costly mistakes and produce touchdowns rather than squander scoring opportunities.

Another defeat would leave the Horned Frogs 2-4 and winless in conference play, turning their remaining schedule into a fight simply to reach bowl eligibility.