[BUBearsFan]

Baylor’s success will greatly depend on plays like in these highlights. Finn versus Ohio State starts at 5:06. He’ll have better weapons at Baylor. But he’ll have a below average OL.

Can his arm and legs put enough pressure on the Utah defense to help open up the run game? If so we have a chance or at least keep it close.

All Finn Highlights

[BUBearsFan]

I’m back from my very short time here last year. Baylor was also missing the starter at QB. Utah was Sawyer Robertson’s first start in college following Shapen’s injury in game 1.

[BUBearsFan]

I really do think Texas State would have beaten Florida. They may have done it a little differently but I think they would have. But we’ll know more about this in 10 minutes. If Baylor gets shredded, then Baylor really is just terrible. It’s possible.

[BUBearsFan]

Was QB2 the starter against Florida? Did RB1 or 2 play against Florida? I know the TE was out. I’m happy he still is. We need all the help you can give us.

[BUBearsFan]

We lost a few important ones too but things are already too bad to think about that.

[BUBearsFan]

Thanks, is this done by using the link button?

[BUBearsFan]

Baylor was also inconsistent last year. They played TCU tight losing by 1 point in the last 2 minutes. But they didn’t show up in a couple games or else totally underwhelmed. This is a concern. I’m sick of the re-alignment crap and ready to play game 1 to see if I’ll be crying or smiling.

[BUBearsFan]

Yes this is a strong OOC series. I hope the playoffs allow more of this with more slots available. I never enter a Baylor season (except some Briles years and maybe 2021) with over-confidence. This is my most worried one in over a decade based on the 2021 setback. I assure you, what is gained can be lost in a hurry.

[BUBearsFan]

Several things about Baylor in 2022 that may be less known:

– During the Briles era, Baylor was a passing attack and like a video game; now Baylor is wide zone and wants to run the ball.
– BU was the youngest or next to youngest team in the Big 12; not really hitting the transfer portal after big attrition from 2021. Very big mistake by Aranda who conceded this point as he wanted to give his recruits the shot they were promised. This won’t happen again.
– Shapen was bad in 2022, but it has to be said that he didn’t have enough help at WR and RB.
– Several of the freshmen skill players (RB/WR) were VERY good but both struggled with injuries due to lack of depth/overuse. Richard Reese, running back, was the Big 12 offensive freshman of the year and National Finalist even after losing alot of playing time due to injuries.
– Locker room issues were allowed to became a cancer. It was obvious even early on. Nice, quiet Coach Aranda didn’t act but has now laid the law down. Defensive Coordinator fired and replaced by prior Baylor coach who left the year before to go to Oregon. Top defensive player kicked off the team a couple months ago for rules violation. The message has been sent and received.
– 2 games lost by only 4 points including against TCU (1 point) which was lost in the final 2 minutes by a ridiculous 3rd down slide by Shapen yards before the 1st down marker.

A couple Baylor upgrades for 2023:

– Backup QB, Sawyer Robertson, was a Mike Leach guy who transferred from Miss State. He has more upside potential than Shapen but he is shifting from air raid to wide zone.
– RB will be balanced between speed and power like in 2021. RB added from OSU averaged 4 yards a carry behind a bad O-line; he will alternate with Reese who is mentioned above. The rest of the room is stacked which takes pressure off of Shapen.
– Baldwin gets help at WR and with 2 good TE’s who will be used. This also takes pressure off of Shapen.
– Cornerbacks should be better and able to shift from lining up 10 yards off the line in zone to press coverage.

I watched your last year game against Florida, Oregon, and USC in the championship. But last year just doesn’t translate to this year. Too many moving parts. And I think the transfer portal makes it even harder to predict.

My top thoughts/wonders for this game:
– Will Shapen improve by even 25%, and can he avoid the dumb mistakes (surely it won’t get worse)?
– Will your star QB be ready? Or will he lack mobility? Will you have to rely some on the freshman backup (fr, right?).
– You mention potential for inexperienced wide receivers on your side; I prefer that with our unproven backfield.
– Like you said, this may be won or lost in the trenches; If Shapen isn’t protected, I’m biting my nails waiting on mistakes. If your QB isn’t 100%, I guess you could be worried about injuries or becoming more predictable and one dimensional.
– If either QB is not 100% in mind or body, running the ball will be important. This will be Baylor’s goal anyway and should be okay here. I simply don’t know this about your side but know your QB is a threat when able. But will he be for this game?

I watched a very good analysis about our team? I’m trying to find it. Please post any about yours.

[BUBearsFan]

I just don’t know. I’ve been humbled with how fast you can go from great to bad. And I think the transfer portal creates a another unknown. I don’t buy the hype anymore because it’s too internally focused when the reality is that improvement only matters in relation to all other teams. If you move from bad to good you still lose if others move from good to best. :))

It’s fun to joke around about re-alignment but I don’t like it. I’d be happy if we we could go back about 13 years in the Big 12, perhaps minus Texas who caused the cancer to grow. The things that make college football fun are being destroyed. The 100+ year rivalries are being lost and you don’t replace those. All of this obvious loss has ripple effects. Some programs are in big jeopardy. It will even affect the economy of some cities/towns when teams have to step down to a lower conference or shut a program down. Yes some win but I think more lose than win. It’s not right. As for NIL, I agree the players should be paid but I don’t like the uneven payments. It’ll just separate the SEC and B1G even more in terms of money and playoffs/championships.

Regarding expansion, most Big 12 teams know the fear of re-alignment. There’s a positive mentality on the outside but a feeling of dread on the inside. Especially when you understand that on the field performance means nothing. It’s all viewership and money. I was quietly terrified the first time (Texas A&M, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska) and worried a little less this time. I’m guessing like everyone about expansion. If I had to bet I’d put money on Arizona as the most conservative bet. Their “affinity” for the Big 12 (or its basketball??) comment spoke volumes I think. For Utah, it’s easy to sit on the outside and think, are they crazy!? But I understand the desire to stay in the space that you have ‘become’ and to keep that comfort level. For the Big 12, an AD made it clear that culture fit is key. I don’t know how the Big 12 fits with Utah either but my opinion, for the sake of the good Utah sports teams, is they should run to the front of the line with Yormark. There are few seats available. And bring your academic research experience to the Big 12 and promote more growth. The top Big 12 schools (total education versus pure research) are relatively strong in the rankings. Utah can always keep collaborating with ex PAC schools on the academic side.

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