The Baylor Bears played well enough this season to gain a bid to the Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 27. Their opponents, the Vanderbilt Commodores, would like to show why the SEC’s the best conference in the nation. Who takes the 2018 Texas Bowl?

Baylor vs Vanderbilt 2018 Texas Bowl Odds & Game Preview

• When: Thursday, Dec. 27 at 9:00 pm ET
• Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
• TV: ESPN
• Radio: Baylor / Vanderbilt
• Live Stream: WatchESPN
• ATS Odds: Vanderbilt -4 (-110)
• Over/Under Total Odds: 55.5 (-110)

Weather Forecast

• Clear: 16^°C/60^°F
• Humidity: 72%
• Precipitation: 3%
• Wind: 3 mph NW
• Cloud Cover: 8%
• Type of Stadium: Retractable

Why Baylor Bears are a good bet +4?

Baylor only went 2-4 straight up in their final 6 games, but they went 4-2 against the spread. The Bears didn’t cover in a pick game versus TCU, and failed as a 14.5 dog against West Virginia.

They covered at Texas, versus Oklahoma State, at Iowa State, and at Texas Tech. That’s 3 road covers in the deep Big 12. The Bears have a shot of not only covering against Vanderbilt, but of also winning straight up.

Team Statistics

• Average Score For: 28.2
• Total Yards: 441.7
• Pass Yards: 282.2
• Rush Yards: 159.5

• Average Score Against: 31.2
• Total Yards: 412.6
• Pass Yards: 237.6
• Rush Yards: 175

Why Vanderbilt Commodores are a good bet +4?

Vanderbilt ended the regular season on a tear. The Commodores went 3-2 straight up, but 5-0 against the spread. They beat Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Tennessee.

Even though they lost at Missouri and at Kentucky, they played well enough to cover. Both losses weren’t that bad and the fact they ended the season dominating Tennessee 38-13 means they’re ready for the Texas Bowl.

Team Statistics

• Average Score For: 27.7
• Total Yards: 397.8
• Pass Yards: 240.2
• Rush Yards: 157.7

• Average Score Against: 25.1
• Total Yards: 419.8
• Pass Yards: 232.6
• Rush Yards: 187.2

2018 Texas Bowl Betting Trends for Baylor vs Vanderbilt

• Baylor is 4-2 ATS in the last 6 games
• Baylor is 7-17 SU in the last 24 games
• The total went UNDER in 5 of Baylor’s last 6 games
• Vanderbilt is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 overall
• Vanderbilt is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 non-conference games
• The total went UNDER in 4 of Vanderbilt’s last 5 games

Baylor at Vanderbilt Final 2018 Texas Bowl Analysis:

This should be an interesting matchup, but Vanderbilt’s gotten better as the season’s gone on. The Commodores hung with some tough, excellent, SEC teams while Baylor impressed against some of the worst teams in the Big 12.

Vandy’s loss to Kentucky might be better than any Baylor win this season. The Commodores showed up big time, challenging the New Year’s Day Bowl game participant every step of the way. Vanderbilt wins and covers.

Texas Bowl Pick: Vanderbilt Commodores -4