The No. 9 Longhorns (5-1, 3-0 Big 12) host Baylor (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) on Saturday in Austin at 2:30 p.m.

Here are five things Texas fans need to know about Baylor ahead of Saturday's game:

1. A different Baylor team from last year

This is not the same Baylor team Texas dominated in Waco last year, 38-7.

For one, the Bears aren't winless like they were heading into the 2017 matchup. That Baylor team last year was one of the worst in college football and finished the season 1-11.

Fast forward a year later and head coach Matt Rhule, in his second year at the helm, has Baylor off to a 4-2 start.

The Bears narrowly escaped Kansas State last week at home, 37-34. The previous week, they suffered their second loss of the season at Oklahoma in a 66-33 drubbing.

Baylor hasn't beaten a team this season with a winning record, so Saturday's game against a top-10 Texas team will be a major barometer for where Rhule's team stands.

2. QB Charlie Brewer coming into his own

Texas fans may be very familiar with Baylor sophomore quarterback Charlie Brewer.

That's because the Lake Travis High School product grew up right in the Longhorns' backyard.

Brewer has been very consistent and taken charge of Baylor's offense through six games. He's thrown for 1,558 yards, nine touchdowns and just two interceptions. He's also completing 64.1 percent of his passes. Brewer also has some running ability, with four touchdowns on the ground.

"He's really good and has a chance to be special," Texas coach Tom Herman said Monday. "I can't say enough about his development. We saw him as a true freshman. They've opened up the offense a little bit more, that's undeniable.

"I think if his career stays on the trajectory that it's on, he's going to be in that conversation in a year or two of the great ones that have come through this league time and time again. I think he's really, really special."

Brewer faces a familiar foe Saturday in Texas sophomore quarterback Sam Ehlinger, a Westlake High School graduate. Brewer beat Ehlinger twice in high school. The two have been friends since middle school.

3. Baylor's offense much improved

The Longhorns faced one of the best offenses in the nation last week in Oklahoma's Kyler Murray-led unit.

While Baylor's offense isn't as explosive as the Sooners', it's still been viable and has some playmakers.

"Just another day in the life of playing a Big 12 team where your quarterback's probably pretty good and you probably got one or two receivers that are pretty nice," Texas senior defensive end Charles Omenihu said Tuesday.

Which is exactly what Baylor has.

Senior Jalen Hurd and junior Denzel Mims each are on pace to have close to 1,000-yard seasons. Hurd has 42 receptions, 550 yards and three touchdowns. Mims has 32 receptions, 449 yards and three touchdowns. Hurd has also been a bit of a weapon in the running game recently, carrying it 14 times for 68 yards and two touchdowns in Baylor's last two games.

In the backfield, junior JaMycal Hasty and sophomore John Lovett have led the way, combining for 92 carries, 518 yards and six touchdowns.

Baylor ranks third in the Big 12 in pass offense (325.5 yards/game) and fifth in scoring offense (35.8 points/game).

4. Baylor's defensegives up points

Just as well as Baylor's offense has been able to score points this season, the Bears have also allowed a lot of points on defense.

Baylor is dead last in the Big 12 in scoring defense, giving up 32.3 points per game. That's good news for a Texas offense that has found its stride as of late and comes off a game where it put up 48.

The Bears are also very liable against the run, ranking last in the league in yards allowed with 191.7. This may be the week where Texas running backs Tre Watson and Keaontay Ingram are given an even heftier workload.

Baylor does have a sneaky pass rush that is third in the conference in sacks, with 14. Four of those have come from sophomore defensive tackle James Lynch, who's tied for third in the Big 12.

5. Bears are massive underdogs

Baylor is currently a 14-point underdog to Texas on Saturday. Baylor has also lost its last three meetings with the Longhorns.

Texas has proved how good it is with five straight wins, including three over top-25 teams. There are still questions about how good Baylor is, though, considering the lack of quality wins.

But Rhule and Co. could introduce themselves to the national stage with a huge road upset.