Story Poster
Photo by Jim Black
Baylor Football

Gameday Thread: Baylor (0-2) at Duke (2-0)

September 16, 2017
157,324

BAYLOR (0-2) at Duke (2-0)

Wallace Wade Stadium | 11:30 a.m. CT | ACCN/FSN

Depth Chart | Class Breakdown | Schedule | Big 12 Standings | Baylor Staff | Baylor Roster


BEARS STILL SEARCHING FOR FIRST WIN OF 2017

It's been a long time since the Bears have started 0-2 and, without sounding too obvious, it's been even longer since they have started 0-3. Traveling to Duke (2-0) to try and get their first win of 2017 doesn't look too great right now despite being a preseason favorite to leave Durham with a victory.

As Baylor's slow start has grabbed plenty of headlines, Duke's 2-0 start was highlighted by a 41-17 victory over the Northwestern Wildcats last week and made a victory look even less likely for the Big 12 program. Duke is led by sophomore quarterback Daniel Jones who has thrown for 518 yards with a 4/1 touchdown to interception ratio while also rushing for 127 yards and three scores through two games.

Though Duke picked on a depleted Northwestern defense, a unit that was missing three starting defensive backs prior to the conclusion of the first half, it was still an extremely impressive outing for the Blue Devils who will match up against a Baylor defense that showed signs of life against UTSA, but is only two weeks removed from giving up 48 points and just under 600 yards to FCS Liberty.

If Baylor wants a chance to win, points from their offense is a must, but containing a steadily improving Duke offense will prove to be even more important.


SIDENOTE STORYLINE

Sophomore QB Zach Smith given ball as starter against Blue Devils

It's been 263 days since Baylor quarterback Zach Smith torched Boise State in the Cactus Bowl with 375 yards and three touchdowns on way to a 31-12 victory. Now a sophomore, Smith once again has control of the Baylor offense that sputtered through two games behind senior grad transfer Anu Solomon, putting up just 274 yards and 10 points against UTSA last week.

In four starts to end the 2016 season after a season-ending injury to Seth Russell, Smith led Baylor to an average of 489.3 yards and 27 points, but only posted a 1-3 record in games against Kansas State, Texas Tech, West Virginia and Boise State.

Smith will face a Duke defense who has given up only 12.0 points and 174.5 yards in two games against North Carolina Central and Northwestern.


MATT RHULE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

How the team has been after losing to Liberty and UTSA...

“Yeah that’s what I just said, I think they’re outstanding. I think they’re not happy, and this isn’t Pop Warner. We’re not handing out popsicles. But I think the thing that they see is what I told them during the game. They are saying to themselves, “Why can’t we score? We’re used to scoring, why can’t we score?” And then you go back and watch the film and see that we had three penalties on the first drive. And then the second drive, you’re moving, and you throw an interception. And those things happen. And then the next drive, you get all the way down to the 20-yard line, and it’s a nothing-nothing ballgame, and we get a holding penalty. It’s just a play here and a play there. It’s one thing when you’re getting blown out, and you say to yourselves that you’re ten plays away. But those two ball games were just a play here and a play there. We’re going to play some better teams, so we better get better quick, as we’re playing a better team this week. But I think they see the progress. I think the defense felt the progress from week one to week two. I think the offense sensed that, you know when [Chris] Platt ran by his guy on the third play of the game and he lays out for that ball and we couldn’t quite put it on him, if he catches it that changes the game. Sometimes we think it’s these big things, but it’s these little things right in front of us. That, to me, is why they’re positive. And I think it’s also because we’re playing so many young kids. The seniors you worry about, right? Our seniors are great leaders. Mo Porter is out there fighting. Davion [Hall], I talked about him, Taylor Young. They’re out there fighting. Taion Sells is on the scout team right now and he’s fighting. I think that the young kids see that we’re getting better and to keep working. So I’ve been pleased. We had 20 guys up in my office watching Monday Night Football last night. This is a process, and so the kids are going through it with us.”


PLAYERS TO WATCH

SicEm365
QB, Zach Smith

Smith gets the nod as the starter in Baylor's third game of the 2017 season and the Bears will need him to be at his best to have their best shot at pulling an upset victory. Expect the offense to be tailored to his strengths and the offense to move a little quicker than typical, but the success is still yet to be seen.

SicEm365
CB, Blake Lynch

In a game against an offense with an elite quarterback, Baylor's secondary will need to be at the top of their game. That includes converted WR Blake Lynch who will make his first career start at the position. If he plays well, it could be a good sign for the outcome of the game.

SicEm365
OL, Ishmael Wilson

Wilson is the second player on the list who will make their first start of the season. The senior started 12 games as a junior and is now slotted to start at left guard against the Blue Devils. If Baylor's running game can get on track, it will be a big help to Zach Smith and the passing game.

Jim Black
LB, Taylor Young

It was difficult to not place a second cornerback on this list, but the running ability of Duke QB Daniel Jones is a significant threat and Baylor's linebackers will need to play contain more often than not. Senior Taylor Young should be able to lead the way in keeping an eye on Jones.

 

Discussion from...

*** Official Gameday Thread: Baylor (0-2) at Duke (2-0)

111,869 Views | 708 Replies | Last: 7 yr ago by bunation
Oldbear83
How long do you want to ignore this user?
merckywaters said:

**** we are awful
Actually, there are some good players there. We just don't have a head coach worth a crap.
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
BearKamp
How long do you want to ignore this user?
EastTXBUBear said:

I am a believer in Snow. Defense looks night and day better than week 1. A lot of improvement!
Well I'm not.
RealLarryDon
How long do you want to ignore this user?
D completely out of position again. Can Bennett come back? We at least had players in the general area.
merckywaters
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Any guesses on the number of folks in attendance?
looks like about 2 or 3 thousand.
This is Duke's Homecoming. Not sure that says something about us as the draw or their fans
#FreeCinque
Osoflurane
How long do you want to ignore this user?
What an embarrassment. Rhule has to go.
Team America
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Hall strikes again...beaten badly on all 3 TD's.
Bearupnobly
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Sorry, but that one safety has given up three TDs.
BillDauterive
How long do you want to ignore this user?

PBRBear
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Little Tykes - sums up our season
MilliVanilli
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Welp, this isn't entertaining. And it's safe to say that it doesn't matter who is quarterbacking this offense.
BearKamp
How long do you want to ignore this user?
There he is! Zach is Back!
BBWCBear
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Well, there are reasons why the DC "Guru" Snow has made ten coaching stops in his career. Sucks!
Team America
How long do you want to ignore this user?
That is a GREAT throw!
MilliVanilli
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Team America said:

Hall strikes again...beaten badly on all 3 TD's.
I'm prepared to call this former 4 star that was mediocre receiver and now apparently a less than stellar safety, a recruitment flop.

I remember the hype of getting him, baggy and UT wanted him bad.
Oldbear83
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Smith and Platt didn't get the memo, Rhule's going to be angry at them for trying to win.
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
Bear8084
How long do you want to ignore this user?
RealLarryDon said:

D completely out of position again. Can Bennett come back? We at least had players in the general area.


Defense has been looking better each week but if the offense is not getting the job done the defense is going to get tired and make mistakes.
Yogi
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Dixon is going to have 35 carries for 15 yards.
"Smarter than the Average Bear."
Boatshoes
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Remember that touchdown pass.

It may be the last echo of the Briles era you ever see.
Assassin
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Oops. Rhules must be a great coach
Facebook Groups at 'Memories of... Dallas, Texas, Football in Texas, Texas Music, and our newest Memories From a Texas Window' Come visit!
RioRata
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Yogi said:

Duke's stadium could really use a tarp.

So will ours...




Soon!
MilliVanilli
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Applemac_G4 said:

Remember that touchdown pass.

It may be the last echo of the Briles era you ever see.
Most of those echoes will play out in court rooms.
Bear8084
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Applemac_G4 said:

Remember that touchdown pass.

It may be the last echo of the Briles era you ever see.


Lol. Stop.
merckywaters
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Assassin said:

Oops. Rhules must be a great coach
cab holdovers
#FreeCinque
RealLarryDon
How long do you want to ignore this user?
OK, we need a stop here. Please.
Boatshoes
How long do you want to ignore this user?
RioRata said:

Yogi said:

Duke's stadium could really use a tarp.

So will ours...


McLane will need shrink wrap, I don't think they make tarps big enough.
merckywaters
How long do you want to ignore this user?
MilliVanilli said:

Applemac_G4 said:

Remember that touchdown pass.

It may be the last echo of the Briles era you ever see.
Most of those echoes will play out in court rooms.
so far just settlements. How many have been convicted in a real court of law again?
#FreeCinque
william
How long do you want to ignore this user?
REX said:

BU sucks
Fire Rhule
Thanks BOR
Bring back Briles

Thought I'd go ahead and get these out here so y'all can cut and paste in a little while
prescient.

- KKM

{ sipping coffee }

pro ecclesia, pro javelina
Oldbear83
How long do you want to ignore this user?
A 3 & out? I didn't think we'd see one of those by an opponent until the Kansas game.
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
greggor25
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Why is Rhule dead set on the run? He's killing us on unmanaged 3rd downs. Let ZS sling the ball.
FWBear91
How long do you want to ignore this user?
What is the deal with that defensive player running backwards before the snap? Seems ineffective.
BearKamp
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Time to let Zach just keep airing it out. Cut the crap run game that doesn't work and launch bombs.
Team America
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Bear8084 said:

RealLarryDon said:

D completely out of position again. Can Bennett come back? We at least had players in the general area.


Defense has been looking better each week but if the offense is not getting the job done the defense is going to get tired and make mistakes.


So will scoring quickly like we used to do. I would rather score.
BearKamp
How long do you want to ignore this user?
That a boy Zach.
BearKamp
How long do you want to ignore this user?
So we run on 1st and 10 but throw on 2 and 1?
Oldbear83
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Well, that was a 'Rhule-ish" play call set on that "drive"
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.