Baylor enters Saturday night’s matchup with TCU in Waco with the kind of momentum every coach wants to protect and every opponent dreads facing. The Bears have won four straight, stayed unbeaten in Big 12 play and turned those games into a one-sided stretch, outscoring opponents 158-54 along the way.
That run has Baylor at 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the conference, putting the Bears among five teams without a Big 12 loss. TCU, meanwhile, arrives at 2-3 overall and 0-2 in league play after dropping its last two games.
Still, Dave Aranda isn’t interested in letting anyone look too far ahead.
"We're not done becoming who we can become yet," Bears coach Dave Aranda said. "We haven't done anything yet."
Baylor is coming off a 55-19 rout at Arizona State on Oct. 3, a game that showcased just how efficiently the Bears are humming right now. DJ Lagway threw for 306 yards and a season-high four touchdowns in that win, and on the year he has 860 passing yards, eight touchdown passes and two interceptions.
The defense has been doing its part, too. Safeties Daniel Cobbs and Bo Onu are tied for the team lead with three sacks apiece.
Aranda knows TCU is not a team to take lightly, especially with both clubs coming off byes.
"We've got a really big test this week with TCU," he said. "I know that we're going to get their best game. They're a talented team."
TCU is trying to reset after a frustrating start to conference play. The Horned Frogs lost 17-10 to then-No. 10 BYU on Oct. 3, and the defeat gave them their first 0-2 start in Big 12 action since 2013.
Quarterback Jaden Craig was held to a season-low 187 passing yards against the Cougars after entering the game averaging 303.3. Even so, his numbers remain strong on the season: 1,400 passing yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions.
The running game has also been a point of emphasis. Jeremy Payne has 432 rushing yards and two touchdowns, but Sonny Dykes said the unit needs to be more consistent.
"Our goal was to be able to run the football more consistently, which we haven't really done the way that we need to," Dykes said Tuesday. "The good thing is we've played good, solid defense.
It's given us a chance to win every week. And if we get the offense to come along, then I think good things are going to happen."
TCU safety Jamel Johnson said the open week helped the Horned Frogs reset.
"We're just looking at it as a new season coming off of this bye week," he said. "We want to go on a seven-game run, so we just wanted to start over and attack every day."
In Other News...
Baylor Finally Has A Chance To Change This TCU Rivalry Script
Baylor heads into this week with a chance to do something it has had trouble doing in this rivalry: carry the favorites label into a meeting with TCU and make it mean something. The buildup around the game has centered on Baylors offense and defense working together, with players and coaches stressing how difficult TCU can be on that side of the ball and how important it is for Baylor to stay patient, physical and organized from the opening series.
For the Bears, the challenge is less about style points than control. A fast start on the ground, a steady pace and a game that stays low-scoring are all part of the formula Baylor believes can tilt the matchup its way, especially against a TCU defense that has been stubborn all season. It gives this rivalry a different feel than usual, with Baylor trying to set the terms instead of reacting to them. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Fans Should Be Watching Josh Cameron A Lot More Closely
A former Baylor walk-on kept turning up in meaningful moments for Jacksonvilles latest win, the kind of performance that makes alumni and Baylor fans take notice. Josh Cameron was involved on offense and on special teams, giving the Jaguars a useful spark while another former Bear, Terrel Bernard, logged seven tackles in Buffalos win and James Lynch chipped in during Chicagos victory over Green Bay.
Camerons night was especially notable because his impact went beyond a few routine touches, with his work on special teams helping tilt the finish in Jacksonvilles favor. For Baylor followers, it is another reminder that the Bears continue to have players making their mark around the league, even if the bigger question around a separate former Houston defender still hangs over the week as he works through an injury evaluation. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor In Position For A Huge Recruiting Boost Sooner Than Expected
Baylors recruiting momentum could get a jolt much sooner than expected, as the Bears have landed in the mix for one of the more sought-after young bigs in the country. Benjamin Berrouet, a highly ranked power forward in the 2028 class, has already drawn offers from at least 35 schools nationwide, and his reputation is built on a balance of defensive toughness and offensive skill that has made him a priority for programs across the country.
Berrouets next steps will be watched closely in Waco, especially with a trip to Baylor set for March 6 and other visits lined up to Kentucky, UCLA, Illinois and Rutgers. The bigger wrinkle is his openness to moving up a class, which could accelerate the timeline for whatever school eventually wins out and give that program a chance to get him on campus a year earlier than first expected. [Read more 🡒]