Does this team just sleep walk into Utah or do you think we see a different team Saturday?

I'm sure Aranda would probably tell you that it's very good, but I don't believe for a second that losing five games in a row, including two embarrassing losses where we were the heavy favorite, would not affect the psyche of the team. I saw a lot of dejected looks on the sideline on Saturday, and frankly, many (but not all) of the players are already playing like they are going through the motions, and that simply mimics their head coach

Tough to answer that question because I didn't see a fiery leader on the field Saturday night (maybe Shapen?) and I certainly didn't see a fiery coach (even the assistants) on the sidelines. Not really sure what motivates this team or coaching staff currently in a sport where emotion is typically one of the components to success.

Has the soft serve ice cream machine arrived at the locker room yet? I haven't seen a Baylor team look so outclassed on the football field since Kevin Steele. I watched Utah & florida. Utah didn't blow them away on the scoreboard but their defense didn't need the help. This could be Baylor's first shutout by an opponent in a long time.

It's not easy playing green.

Has anyone actually witnessed or have evidence of CDA getting in any player's face during a game? The most I've seen is him channeling his inner Jason Garrett every time we screw up!

I'm not so sure. Funny/sad I am in my 31st year of wedlock with a Longhorn, the sad part is we trade opening games. I'll be at the Utah game. Watching Horns play Rice it was clear while the starters got plenty reps to pad and prepare you could clearly see the team was holding out a little. They were not showing all their cards to Saban, if you know what I mean. But up in Waco those boys were gassed. That was maximum effort. Nobody took it easy. I hate to say this but we're looking at a 4 score beating like we put on UTSA a few years back.
I just don't understand how this became a rebuild year.

BellCountyBear said:

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Has anyone actually witnessed or have evidence of CDA getting in any player's face during a game? The most I've seen is him channeling his inner Jason Garrett every time we screw up!

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That's not his style. In fact, he fired Ron Roberts for doing that. The guy is petrified of making players unhappy or causing locker room issues. The dude runs the team like a Chick-fil-A manager.

No Quarterback said:

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BellCountyBear said:

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Has anyone actually witnessed or have evidence of CDA getting in any player's face during a game? The most I've seen is him channeling his inner Jason Garrett every time we screw up!

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That's not his style. In fact, he fired Ron Roberts for doing that. The guy is petrified of making players unhappy or causing locker room issues. The dude runs the team like a Chick-fil-A manager.

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That's unfair to CFA managers. Their team executes.

vanillabryce said:

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No Quarterback said:

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BellCountyBear said:

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Has anyone actually witnessed or have evidence of CDA getting in any player's face during a game? The most I've seen is him channeling his inner Jason Garrett every time we screw up!

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That's not his style. In fact, he fired Ron Roberts for doing that. The guy is petrified of making players unhappy or causing locker room issues. The dude runs the team like a Chick-fil-A manager.

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That's unfair to CFA managers. Their team executes.

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That's true. Maybe not the best analogy. He runs the team like Upwards basketball

I'm not a huge believer in emotional outbursts being necessary to build up your team. But you do have to send messages and challenge players in your own way. You need some charismatic coaches in the mix mainly to keep energy up and focus in practices. I don't think it has that much effect on the sidelines during a game.

I don't think Aranda has quite found his own way to communicate urgency to his players, like many less emotional and more cerebral coaches have. Some like to compare him to Landry, but Landry's players were scared ****less of him because he knew how to challenge them, and he got the best out of them.

DA is sitting on a pile of money...he doesn't have to do squat....

BluesBear said:

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DA is sitting on a pile of money...he doesn't have to do squat....

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I think he has at least until next year, and it's mainly an issue of lack of money as well as the fact that Mack Rhoades is buddies with him

DanaDane said:

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Tough to answer that question because I didn't see a fiery leader on the field Saturday night (maybe Shapen?) and I certainly didn't see a fiery coach (even the assistants) on the sidelines. Not really sure what motivates this team or coaching staff currently in a sport where emotion is typically one of the components to success.

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Aranda outlawed emotions last season.

BluesBear said:

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DA is sitting on a pile of money...he doesn't have to do squat....

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I hate that aspect of the insane salaries P5 HCs receive. I get it that it's very hard to get yourself to that level in coaching and if you do you're in elite company, but if you succeed in getting there you can basically go screw up somewhere for at least two to four years and be easily set for life (assuming you aren't a complete moron of a money manager) especially considering tha additional buyout money you will likely pocket as well.

Johnny Bear said:

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BluesBear said:

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DA is sitting on a pile of money...he doesn't have to do squat....

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I hate that aspect of the insane salaries P5 HCs receive. I get it that it's very hard to get yourself to that level in coaching and if you do you're in elite company, but if you succeed in getting there you can basically go screw up somewhere for at least two to four years and be easily set for life (assuming you aren't a complete moron of a money manager) especially considering tha additional buyout money you will likely pocket as well.

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You're about 20 years too late to come with this attitude now. The toothpaste is out of the tube.

I understand that. I do. It can be excessive.

But in the case of many programs some folks that call out the problem with the money also are the ones who do not "follow it". How many corporate research projects that come to campus that have helped earn Tier 1 status came because of sports? The answer is that it's more than you think. Donors are fans. Project managers are fans. And legislators who allocate and award grants are fans. It's a tremendous marketing tool. In fact, it's the largest marketing tool Baylor has.
Research funds and special program funds and construction donations ebb and flow with athletic success. That's why coaches make the big bucks. Because coaches directly influence the total fiscal health of the university.

I listened to Smoaky's one on one with Aranda. Smoak asked some pretty good, direct questions. Aranda wasn't fazed, actually laughed and was amused at times. My take away was he's convinced and believes in what he is doing and will remain on that course to the end.

This week will probably be the most important/significant week in BU's history going back to the firing of Briles and Cap'n Carrot's tenure. It's a BIG WEEK! BU's entire future (success, recruiting, P5 status and ultimate realignment) depends on it. Lose bad and it's going to spiral exponentially. I'm sure many will refute this, but watch how things unfold.

That is hyperbolic to be saying about a game you know already we are likely going to lose. No the world isnt going to end if we lose neither is Baylor football or P4 status. If one game was going to determine that, well it already occurred this past Saturday......well and frankly almost every game during the Steele era as well or the 2017 season. Guess what alot of realignment has occurred since everything I mentioned except the TSU game, and we are fine.

Actually your description of Aranda in your first paragraph actually makes me feel a little better. Aranda isnt Steele or what Steele was back 20 years ago. Aranda does have a clue. He will turn this around or be fired probably during the 25 season if it isnt turned around by then and based on our reported buy out situation.

PartyBear said:

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That is hyperbolic to be saying about a game you know already we are likely going to lose. No the world isnt going to end if we lose neither is Baylor football or P4 status. If one game was going to determine that, well it already occurred this past Saturday......well and frankly almost every game during the Steele era as well or the 2017 season. Guess what alot of realignment has occurred since everything I mentioned except the TSU game, and we are fine.

Actually your description of Aranda in your first paragraph actually makes me feel a little better. Aranda isnt Steele or what Steele was back 20 years ago. Aranda does have a clue. He will turn this around or be fired probably during the 25 season if it isnt turned around by then and based on our reported buy out situation.

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To each his own. There is only one Steele thank goodness. I think you're being a little short sighted. Yes, we're going to lose Saturday; however, if it's close and hard fought BU can regain some respect. If it's a blowout it'll be hard to turn the season around. CDA will lose exponentially as will BU. You DO remember BU almost being left out when aggy left and recently the BIG12 dodged a bullet. CDA recruiting is coming under scrutiny as to the quality, etc. If he doesn't make it and has success here, it'll be hard... ONCE AGAIN to turn the ship. I've witnessed almost seventy years of BU football. Except for a handful of years, not collectively together, BU has been average at best. I thought we "had arrived' when Briles came and then boom! Once again, CDA won B!2 Championship, SB and alright, alright, alright... then boom! The football landscape has forever changed and no one has a crystal ball of what's around the bend. Winning is the only sure constant and we're faltering and that ain't good.

vanillabryce said:

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No Quarterback said:

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BellCountyBear said:

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Has anyone actually witnessed or have evidence of CDA getting in any player's face during a game? The most I've seen is him channeling his inner Jason Garrett every time we screw up!

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That's not his style. In fact, he fired Ron Roberts for doing that. The guy is petrified of making players unhappy or causing locker room issues. The dude runs the team like a Chick-fil-A manager.

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That's unfair to CFA managers. Their team executes.

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With a long history of success

I do worry about this team taking the coaches personality. I wasn't the biggest Rhule fan but he could motivate.

"Losing builds character."

BBWCBear said:

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I listened to Smoaky's one on one with Aranda. Smoak asked some pretty good, direct questions. Aranda wasn't fazed, actually laughed and was amused at times. My take away was he's convinced and believes in what he is doing and will remain on that course to the end.

This week will probably be the most important/significant week in BU's history going back to the firing of Briles and Cap'n Carrot's tenure. It's a BIG WEEK! BU's entire future (success, recruiting, P5 status and ultimate realignment) depends on it. Lose bad and it's going to spiral exponentially. I'm sure many will refute this, but watch how things unfold.

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Lololol I bet Aranda did laugh! He's laughing all the way to the bank! He knows that he has the school by the balls. We can't afford to pay out his contract. We are stuck with him for at least another two years!

PartyBear said:

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That is hyperbolic to be saying about a game you know already we are likely going to lose. No the world isnt going to end if we lose neither is Baylor football or P4 status. If one game was going to determine that, well it already occurred this past Saturday......well and frankly almost every game during the Steele era as well or the 2017 season. Guess what alot of realignment has occurred since everything I mentioned except the TSU game, and we are fine.

Actually your description of Aranda in your first paragraph actually makes me feel a little better. Aranda isnt Steele or what Steele was back 20 years ago. Aranda does have a clue. He will turn this around or be fired probably during the 25 season if it isnt turned around by then and based on our reported buy out situation.

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If we wait until 2025 to fire Aranda, the program will be so far in the hole that it will be difficult to climb out of. When the emotional investment of the big money folks dries out, we will basically turn into Kansas with better facilities

No Quarterback said:

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PartyBear said:

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That is hyperbolic to be saying about a game you know already we are likely going to lose. No the world isnt going to end if we lose neither is Baylor football or P4 status. If one game was going to determine that, well it already occurred this past Saturday......well and frankly almost every game during the Steele era as well or the 2017 season. Guess what alot of realignment has occurred since everything I mentioned except the TSU game, and we are fine.

Actually your description of Aranda in your first paragraph actually makes me feel a little better. Aranda isnt Steele or what Steele was back 20 years ago. Aranda does have a clue. He will turn this around or be fired probably during the 25 season if it isnt turned around by then and based on our reported buy out situation.

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If we wait until 2025 to fire Aranda, the program will be so far in the whole that it will be difficult to climb out of. When the emotional investment of the big money folks dries out, we will basically turn into Kansas with better facilities

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I don't see things quite that dire, but if Aranda can't show something pretty quickly, we'll be better off paying some money to get rid of him than we will be to reinvest in the program to drag it out of a hole.

gobears20 said:

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Does this team just sleep walk into Utah or do you think we see a different team Saturday?

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&ct=g

#Baylor TE Jake Roberts said the team didn’t play to its standard against Texas State and that there’s a lot of confidence to bounce back.

“We know that we can play with anybody.”

— Michael Haag (@MichaelHaag_) September 6, 2023

I can confirm that several large donors were contacted over the weekend regarding the buyout of DA's contract, along with those discussions included the removal of Mack. Apparently there is more going on behind the scenes than what is being broadcasted

Well….that is all fine. But we aren't going to have a new AD in a month to fire Aranda and hire his replacement. Even if that is happening, these donors talking etc., the process isn't likely going to be quick. Although UW made a pretty quick AD hire. Also who would be contacting the donors if they were being contacted about Rhoades as well, it was t Rhoades. The office of President?

boognish_bear said:

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#Baylor TE Jake Roberts said the team didn’t play to its standard against Texas State and that there’s a lot of confidence to bounce back.

“We know that we can play with anybody.”

— Michael Haag (@MichaelHaag_) September 6, 2023

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Show me.

Killing Floor said:

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I'm not so sure. Funny/sad I am in my 31st year of wedlock with a Longhorn, the sad part is we trade opening games. I'll be at the Utah game. Watching Horns play Rice it was clear while the starters got plenty reps to pad and prepare you could clearly see the team was holding out a little. They were not showing all their cards to Saban, if you know what I mean. But up in Waco those boys were gassed. That was maximum effort. Nobody took it easy. I hate to say this but we're looking at a 4 score beating like we put on UTSA a few years back.
I just don't understand how this became a rebuild year.

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You are a better person than me. I have banned all orange programming in this house. If she wants to watch them she has to go over to her parent's while me and the boys stay home and watch other stuff.

BluesBear said:

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I can confirm that several large donors were contacted over the weekend regarding the buyout of DA's contract, along with those discussions included the removal of Mack. Apparently there is more going on behind the scenes than what is being broadcasted

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Whether he/they stay or go, after decades of following BU, I have little faith the Power Brokers can make the right decision. There definitely are reasons BU has been minimally successful over many years. Best example regardless of one's feeling is how 2015 ended.
Right or wrong a successful school/conference (SEC) would have handled it differently. FIRE AWAY.

Well good. Glad the powers that be aren't totally out to lunch. This year is gonna suck.

Married A Horn said:

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Killing Floor said:

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I'm not so sure. Funny/sad I am in my 31st year of wedlock with a Longhorn, the sad part is we trade opening games. I'll be at the Utah game. Watching Horns play Rice it was clear while the starters got plenty reps to pad and prepare you could clearly see the team was holding out a little. They were not showing all their cards to Saban, if you know what I mean. But up in Waco those boys were gassed. That was maximum effort. Nobody took it easy. I hate to say this but we're looking at a 4 score beating like we put on UTSA a few years back.
I just don't understand how this became a rebuild year.

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You are a better person than me. I have banned all orange programming in this house. If she wants to watch them she has to go over to her parent's while me and the boys stay home and watch other stuff.

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You must be a lot of fun in real life