Baylor comes into Week 8 with plenty to sort out, and the biggest questions all point back to an offense that went from explosive to stuck in the mud in a hurry.
The Bears put up 55 points against Arizona State, then turned around and failed to score a touchdown against TCU. That swing says everything about where this group is right now.
The offensive line had trouble holding up, the receivers struggled to separate, and DJ Lagway was not consistently sharp with his throws. The result was a Baylor offense that looked nothing like the one that had just raised expectations a week earlier.
The ground game was supposed to be one of the areas to watch coming out of the Arizona State performance, but that optimism took a hit against TCU. The Bears averaged just 1.6 yards per carry, and that kind of production simply won’t cut it.
TCU’s defensive line is strong, but Baylor still has to be better there. Jake Spavital will have to draw up a cleaner plan against Kansas, and if pressure starts getting to Lagway, the quick game will need to show up.
There’s also the mental side of this one. Some teams bounce back from a rough loss, and some carry it with them.
After the Arizona State game and the bye week, there was plenty of buzz around this team, but Saturday will reveal whether Baylor can bring that same energy to the Kansas game. Body language matters, especially when a team is coming off a punch in the mouth.
If players are flat on the sideline after scores, kickoffs, or big plays, that can tell you plenty about where the mindset stands.
And then there’s the bigger pressure hanging over all of it. Dave Aranda is essentially coaching for his job at this point, and keeping the team locked in is part of that challenge. Baylor still has three ranked opponents left on the schedule, so the staff has to find a way to keep the group engaged and moving in the right direction.
If the offense is going to get back on track, Lagway needs more help. Gavin Freeman has been the main piece in this attack, but Baylor needs another reliable threat to emerge.
Louis Brown IV looks like the next best option after being targeted several times against TCU and finishing with 74 receiving yards. Jadon Porter is another name to keep in the mix after showing he can make big plays.
More production from those two would take some of the focus off Freeman and give Baylor a better chance to create downfield opportunities against Kansas.
In Other News...
Kansas Defense Is Earning Respect For One Huge Reason
Kansas defensive front has started to draw real attention this season, and for good reason. Pro Football Focus now has Leroy Harris III and David Santiago ranked No. 2 and No. 3 nationally among defensive ends, a reflection of how disruptive both have been for a unit that has leaned on its edge pressure to make plays.
Harris has filled the stat sheet with tackles, tackles for loss, forced fumbles and even a blocked kick, while Santiago has made his presence felt with sacks, tackles for loss and turnovers. Together, they have given the Jayhawks a pair of edge defenders offenses have had to account for on every snap, and that kind of production has become a big part of why Kansas defense is earning respect in 2026. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Pulled Out A Messy Win Fans Wont Forget Soon
Kansas found a way to survive a messy Big 12 night against Baylor, escaping with a 25-24 win that had all the usual ingredients of a game fans will talk about for a while. Isaiah Marshall had his rough patches with two interceptions, but he also delivered when it mattered most, guiding the Jayhawks on the decisive scoring drive and helping finish it himself with a 15-yard run.
Even with the offense leaving plenty on the table, Kansas leaned on a defense that kept Baylor from cashing in on enough of its chances. The biggest moment came at the end, when the Jayhawks blocked a field goal that could have flipped the result, turning a tense finish into a win they almost certainly had to grind out the hard way. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Finally Ended A Painful Baylor Streak In Wild Fashion
Kansas finally found a way past Baylor in a finish that had plenty of the usual Big 12 drama, but none of the familiar ending. After a 14-game losing streak in the series, the Jayhawks rallied at home for a 25-24 win that felt equal parts relief and validation, with Isaiah Marshall steering the comeback and keeping Kansas alive when the game looked like it might slip away again.
Marshall accounted for the winning touchdown on the ground after also throwing for 212 yards and two scores, and Kansas closed it out in the wildest possible way by blocking Baylors late 45-yard field goal try. The result lifted the Jayhawks to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in conference play, while also giving the program a long-awaited answer to one of its more painful matchups. [Read more 🡒]