Baylor heads into Week Four with a trip to Arizona State that comes with two built-in challenges: the Bears are back on the road for the first time since Week 1 in Atlanta, and the kickoff lands at 9:30 p.m. CT. That combination matters, because this team is not exactly operating on its usual rhythm.
That’s why the opening stretch looms so large. Baylor can’t spend the first quarter settling in and letting Arizona State take control.
The Sun Devils are coming off a bye after beating Kansas in London the week before, so they’ve had extra time to get ready for this one. For the Bears, that means discipline has to show up early.
No careless penalties. No turnovers.
No self-inflicted wounds that hand Arizona State easy momentum on its home field.
The offense also has to clean things up after a shaky outing against Colorado. Baylor needs drives that actually go somewhere, not the kind that stall out before the defense ever gets a breather. The Bears didn’t sustain enough offense last week, and that has to change if they want a shot at leaving with a win.
DJ Lagway is another key piece to watch. After a full game back and another week of recovery, Baylor is hoping he looks more comfortable and more willing to use his legs. Last week, he had chances to run but didn’t seem at ease doing it, and that led to some questionable decisions.
The ground game remains a concern, too. Baylor has continued to struggle there, although the fourth quarter against Colorado offered a little bit of promise. If the Bears can build on that, it would go a long way toward giving the offense some balance against Arizona State.
Special teams could end up mattering just as much as anything Baylor does on offense. Rhett Armstrong has already taken a step forward and looked every bit like the highly rated kicker he was billed as. He was 3-for-3 against Colorado and drilled a 54-yarder, and if this game turns into a tight one, Baylor will need that kind of reliability again.
Field position could be another hidden edge. Palmer Williams has been consistently flipping the field and pinning opponents deep, which has helped Baylor start drives in better spots. That kind of work could be huge in a game like this.
And then there’s Jayden McGowan, who has already flashed real danger as a punt returner. Against Colorado, he averaged over 18 yards per return and broke off a long of 36. A return touchdown feels like it’s coming soon, and Baylor would love for it to happen in a game where every swing of momentum matters.
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The challenge for Arizona State is clear enough: Baylor brings a quarterback threat that has been part of its recent surge, even with some uncertainty around Lagways health, and the Bears have another offensive piece in Pendergrass who could tilt the game if he is available and effective. Arizona States defensive strength will be tested in a way that should make this more than just another conference date, and the matchup feels like one that could hinge on which side handles the pressure better early. [Read more 🡒]