Baylor heads into Saturday’s road trip to BYU with three games left and a lot still hanging in the balance. The Bears have already shown a different edge since Joe Klanderman took over, going 2-0 under him, but this next stretch will ask plenty of them. After BYU, Baylor comes home for Texas Tech and then finishes the regular season at Houston.
The biggest question for me is whether Baylor’s defense can bounce back fast enough. That unit has carried the Bears for much of the season, but last week against Iowa State it turned in its worst outing of the year.
Even so, the defensive line remains the group that can tilt this game. If Baylor can get pressure on BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier, the turnovers may come.
Bachmeier just had his roughest day of the season against Utah, when he threw four interceptions. That kind of mistake-filled performance is exactly what Baylor has to try to create again. Against a strong BYU team, takeaways could be the difference, and the Bears have the pieces to make that happen.
The other side of the ball brings its own set of problems. Baylor has had a hard time consistently moving the ball on the ground all season, and that has to change if the offense wants to settle in early. DJ Lagway using his legs more could give the Bears another option, especially in short-yardage situations on third down.
BYU’s run defense has been solid, giving up just over 100 rushing yards per game, so Baylor will need to stay committed to the ground game and try to get something going right away. If the Bears can establish even a little traction there, it opens up the rest of the offense.
Then there’s the receiving group, where Gavin Freeman has been the steady presence all season. He has been DJ Lagway’s main target and keeps finding ways to make plays.
But Baylor needs another pass catcher to emerge and help shoulder the load. Louis Brown IV and Jadon Porter have both shown flashes, though Freeman is still getting four to five more touches per game than either of them.
One player who has quietly become a real weapon is tight end Tony Livingston. He caught three passes for 49 yards and a touchdown against Iowa State, and the one-handed grab he made stood out.
The week before, he scored two touchdowns against UCF. Baylor would be smart to keep finding ways to get him involved.
In Other News...
BYU Fans Suddenly Have A Very Uncomfortable Reason To Watch Utah
The latest College Football Playoff rankings gave the Big 12 a jolt of credibility, with Utah sitting at No. 2, BYU at No. 10, Texas Tech at No. 12 and Houston at No. 14. For BYU, the placement is a reminder that the Cougars are still very much in the mix, but also that the path ahead is crowded and shaped by what happens around them as much as what happens in Provo.
Utahs position is the one that now looms largest for BYU fans, because the Utes are in prime shape to reach the playoff if they keep winning and potentially add a Big 12 title to their resume. That creates the uncomfortable part for Cougar supporters: the conference race, the rankings and the playoff math are all tangled together, and BYUs hopes may depend on watching a rival navigate the exact finish line the Cougars want to reach themselves. [Read more 🡒]
BYUs Baylor Game Plan Just Got More Complicated Than Fans Hoped
BYUs first injury report for the Baylor game gave a clearer picture of where the Cougars stand, and it was not exactly the clean bill of health fans might have wanted. Running back LJ Martin was listed as probable, while linebacker Isaiah Glasker was questionable and cornerback Evan Johnson and tight end Roger Saleapaga were doubtful. With several BYU players already having stepped into larger roles because of injuries, the report only adds to the sense that the Cougars are still managing their depth as they head into another Big 12 test.
Baylors report was shorter, with six players listed and starting defensive lineman Devonte Tezino the only notable name on it. Even so, the contrast does not make BYUs side look any simpler, especially with some injured Cougars expected to miss the game. For a team that has had to lean on next-man-up production already, the final availability picture could shape how aggressive the game plan can be once kickoff arrives. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Is About To Get A Scoring Boost It Really Needed
BYU is set to get a welcome addition back in the rotation when Dawson Baker is expected to return for the upcoming game against Montana State. After being sidelined for nearly a year following multiple knee injuries and surgeries, Baker has finally been cleared to play, giving the Cougars a chance to add a proven scoring option they have been missing.
Bakers return matters because BYU has been looking for more punch off the bench, and his presence should help in both depth and offense. Coaches and players have been upbeat about what he can bring, and even after such a long layoff, there is real anticipation around how quickly he can settle back into a meaningful role. [Read more 🡒]