LSU vs. Baylor starting QB today: Texas Bowl game QB depth chart

Modified Dec 31, 2024 13:30 GMT

LSU vs. Baylor starting QB today: Texas Bowl game QB depth chart — Garrett Nussmeier (L) | Sawyer Robertson (R) (GETTY)

The LSU Tigers will face the Baylor Bears in a high-powered Texas Bowl matchup on Tuesday. LSU had a tough stretch in the second half of the season, enduring a three-game losing streak that dashed their postseason aspirations. For the first time under coach Brian Kelly, the Tigers failed to hit the 10-win mark.

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Meanwhile, Baylor began its season with a 2-4 record but turned things around massively. The Bears closed the season with six consecutive wins and narrowly missed a spot in the Big 12 championship game.

Their season finale was a statement game, as they defeated a rising Kansas team 45-17, with quarterback Sawyer Robertson and running back Bryson Washington contributing six combined touchdowns.

This Texas Bowl showdown is the first meeting between LSU and Baylor since the 1985 Liberty Bowl, where Baylor triumphed 21-7 under coach Grant Teaff and All-American defensive back Thomas Everett.

The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday at NRG Stadium and will be televised on ESPN.

Who is LSU’s starting QB for the Texas Bowl?

Garrett Nussmeier will be leading the charge for LSU in the Texas Bowl. Nussmeier had an impressive season, finishing sixth nationally in passing yards with 3,739 yards. He had 26 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a QBR of 79.3.

Baylor’s coach, Dave Aranda, praised the young quarterback for his intelligence and command of the offense.

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"I think offensively it’s all pushed by the quarterback," Aranda said. "Coach’s kid, I remember when we were recruiting him, just way, way smart. He can identify the whole thing. He runs all of it. If there’s a blitz, he’ll get out of it.

"If there’s a soft coverage, he’ll change the route. If it’s a protection thing, he’ll change the protection. More than any quarterback we’ve played, he runs the whole show."

Who is Baylor’s starting QB for the Texas Bowl?

Baylor’s strong season has been supported by the stellar performance of quarterback Sawyer Robertson. Robertson was among the most effective passers in the Big 12, finishing the season strong with standout performances in the final weeks.

During Baylor’s win over Kansas, Robertson completed 23 of 31 passes for 310 yards and four touchdowns. Robertson wrapped up the regular season with remarkable stats, completing 71.1% of his passes for 843 yards and nine touchdowns over the last three games.

His contributions were key to Baylor’s six-game win streak and 8-4 overall record.

LSU vs. Baylor: Head-to-head history

The LSU Tigers and Baylor Bears have a limited history, having faced each other only 11 times. Baylor holds the most recent victory, a 21-7 win in the 1985 Liberty Bowl.

The upcoming matchup will be LSU’s first game against a Big 12 team since their appearance in the Texas Bowl in 2021, where the Tigers faced a defeat to Kansas State.

Historically, LSU has an 8-3 edge over Baylor. Their largest margin of victory came in 1908 when the Tigers delivered an 89-0 rout. Other notable matchups include Baylor’s 7-3 victory in 1960, which ended LSU’s three-year home winning streak, and the 1963 Bluebonnet Bowl in Houston, where Baylor prevailed 14-7.