The Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-2) face the Baylor Bears (10-2) in the 2021 Big 12 Championship Game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Oklahoma State enters as 5.5-point favorites with an over/under of 46.5 points.

Baylor has engineered a remarkable turnaround under head coach Dave Aranda, improving from 2-7 in 2020 to 10-2 this season. The Bears seek their first outright Big 12 title since sharing it in 2014.

Oklahoma State aims for their first conference championship since 2011. A win would strengthen their case for a College Football Playoff spot.

Defense Leads the Way

The Cowboys have transformed under Mike Gundy, featuring an elite defense allowing just 16.4 points per game (top-10 nationally). Only Oklahoma has scored more than 24 points against them this season.

However, OSU's offense has struggled, scoring under 25 points in half their games. QB Spencer Sanders remains inconsistent as a passer but dangerous as a runner, complementing 1,100-yard rusher Jaylen Warren.

Quarterback Questions

Baylor's key concern is the status of injured QB Gerry Bohanon, who missed last week's win over Texas Tech. While freshman Blake Shapen performed adequately in relief, the Bears would prefer their veteran starter for this crucial game.

The Bears' defense has been equally impressive, surrendering just 19.7 points per game while forcing 20 turnovers, including three in their previous meeting with Oklahoma State.

The Championship Outlook

With quarterback uncertainty on both sides, this matchup between defensive powerhouses likely comes down to quarterback play. Whether Bohanon returns for Baylor could prove decisive in determining the 2021 Big 12 champion.

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