Baylor gets a chance to clean things up Saturday when Louisiana Tech comes to McLane Stadium with both teams sitting at 1-1. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m., and the Bears are still searching for a complete performance as they try to build momentum before Big 12 play begins.
One of the biggest swing factors in this matchup is turnovers. Louisiana Tech ranks 24th in turnover margin at +2, while Baylor sits 90th at -1. The Bulldogs forced three takeaways against LSU in Death Valley, and that kind of opportunistic defense is part of what they bring into Waco.
That means Baylor’s quarterback situation will be under the microscope, especially after Lagway, or whoever ends up starting, has already thrown a combined four interceptions through the first two games. The Bears do not need to force anything here. Against a defense that can capitalize on mistakes, taking a sack or throwing the ball away is a lot better than putting it in the wrong jersey’s hands.
The other side of the ball gives Baylor a different path to control the game. Louisiana Tech’s offense ranks 133rd in time of possession, and that opens the door for the Bears to shorten the game by staying on the field themselves. Long drives that end in points, not giveaways, would go a long way toward turning this into a comfortable afternoon at home.
That kind of clean, steady football is exactly what Baylor says it still needs to find. Penalties and discipline remain major issues, and the Bears know those lapses can snowball fast.
"In defensive football, if there's one guy not playing the right call or not doing his job, that's going to [allow] a big play," safety Michael Allen said. "And our effort standard is something that can never change, so continue to play with that, and that is where all the turnovers come from."
Kaden Sieracki said the same kind of focus has to show up on offense.
"I don't want to say we're not locked in out there," offensive lineman Sieracki said. "But I think some plays kind of got to us, and we let those plays tumble on ... we were locking down on that when we were in film; we were calling it out."
Baylor still has time to smooth out the rough edges, and Saturday offers a straightforward chance to do it.
In Other News...
Baylor Suddenly Has A Defensive Line Question Slug Mitchell Could Answer
Baylors defensive front has a new wrinkle after fifth-year lineman Traevon Mitchell, better known as Slug, was granted a temporary injunction by Judge Alan Bennett that makes him eligible to play for at least the rest of the regular season. With the next trial date still estimated to be about 90 days away, the Bears suddenly have a veteran body back in the conversation at a position group that can use all the help it can get.
Dave Aranda has already been asked about what Mitchell could mean after a season-ending injury thinned out the rotation, and the timing makes the situation especially relevant for Baylors defense. For a team trying to stabilize its line depth in the middle of the season, Mitchells availability adds another layer of intrigue, even if the legal process around his status is still far from finished. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Heads Into La Tech With One Big Problem Up Front
Baylor is trying to steady itself up front as it heads into Louisiana Tech with one of its most important pieces suddenly gone for the year. Fifth-year senior Devonte Tezinos season-ending lower body injury leaves a hole on the defensive line, but there is at least one bit of relief in the room: fellow fifth-year senior Traevon Mitchell was granted a temporary injunction that allows him to play the rest of the season. With Kyler Jordan and others now expected to absorb more of the workload, the Bears will have to find answers quickly on the line of scrimmage.
There is better news on the other side of the ball, where starting center Koltin Sieracki is expected back after missing a game with an injury. Baylors larger focus, though, remains on cleaning up the mistakes that have slowed it down, especially penalties, as it tries to look sharper heading into the Louisiana Tech game. The Bears have enough talent to get by, but the way they handle these issues up front could go a long way toward deciding whether the next stretch feels like damage control or a reset. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Suddenly Has A Breakout Star Chasing A Historic Pace
Gavin Freeman arrived at Baylor with the kind of transfer profile that usually calls for patience, but the senior wide receiver has made that unnecessary in a hurry. Through two games, he leads college football with 22 receptions and has already become one of the most important parts of the Bears offense, helping drive wins against Auburn and Prairie View A&M.
Freemans early pace has opened the door to some eye-catching season projections, and it is hard not to notice how quickly he has settled into a featured role. For Baylor, the bigger question now is whether this start is the beginning of something sustainable, because if he keeps producing anywhere close to this level, his season will become one of the more notable stories in the sport. [Read more 🡒]