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Baylor Football

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

September 16, 2017
157,280

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)

111,827 Views | 708 Replies | Last: 7 yr ago by bunation
chukronos
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Good defensive stand.
MilliVanilli
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BearKamp said:

MilliVanilli said:

I'm glad to see more even keeled demeanors in the game thread today, we're going to be ok in due course.
Sadly, everyday fans could call better play calling and starters than this staff...and it's showing now.
Our o-lone sucks too dude, it's hard to be terribly prolific.

BaylorProud77
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MilliVanilli said:

Grizz Air said:

Duke RB just got 8 yards when he should've gotten maybe 0.8
Yeah we get pushed off the ball way too much.

This is why Rhule probably tries to run so much, to shorten the games and play keep away...but our o-line sucks right now.
We knew this coming into the year. It was one of the things Rhule worried about
BearInBigD
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BearKamp said:

MilliVanilli said:

I'm glad to see more even keeled demeanors in the game thread today, we're going to be ok in due course.
Sadly, everyday fans could call better play calling and starters than this staff...and it's showing now.
Milli, go **** yourself. No one here gives a **** about your opinion.
BearKamp
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MilliVanilli said:

BearKamp said:

MilliVanilli said:

I'm glad to see more even keeled demeanors in the game thread today, we're going to be ok in due course.
Sadly, everyday fans could call better play calling and starters than this staff...and it's showing now.
Our o-lone sucks too dude, it's hard to be terribly prolific.


Yet, all of the sudden, Smith comes in and has enough time to throw 3 TD's. OK.
MilliVanilli
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BearInBigD said:

BearKamp said:

MilliVanilli said:

I'm glad to see more even keeled demeanors in the game thread today, we're going to be ok in due course.
Sadly, everyday fans could call better play calling and starters than this staff...and it's showing now.
Milli, go **** yourself. No one here gives a **** about your opinion.
You just proved that's not true.
Assassin
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Rhule has put us in position to win this game.

Facebook Groups at 'Memories of... Dallas, Texas, Football in Texas, Texas Music, and our newest Memories From a Texas Window' Come visit!
merckywaters
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just put him on ignore. I just did and it's great
#FreeCinque
MilliVanilli
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BearKamp said:

MilliVanilli said:

BearKamp said:

MilliVanilli said:

I'm glad to see more even keeled demeanors in the game thread today, we're going to be ok in due course.
Sadly, everyday fans could call better play calling and starters than this staff...and it's showing now.
Our o-lone sucks too dude, it's hard to be terribly prolific.


Yet, all of the sudden, Smith comes in and has enough time to throw 3 TD's. OK.
He's got a much better arm than Anu. O-line is still terrible.
Oldbear83
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Ugh
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
BaylorProud77
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Done!
Yogi
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And the Charlie Brewer era begins.
"Smarter than the Average Bear."
Oldbear83
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Assassin said:

Rhule has put us in position to win this game.


Mmmmmmmmmmmmm, no.
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
CorsicanaBear
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And the pick 6.
Illigitimus non carborundum
MilliVanilli
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merckywaters said:

just put him on ignore. I just did and it's great
Another CAB apologist gets triggered and retreats to a safe space and then publicly proclaims how safe they feel in their bunker now that they don't have to face rebuttal for asinine posts about CAB's innocence.
Doc Holliday
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Zach is better than Anu by miles, but damn he sucks right now.
DAC
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Game
Boatshoes
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Pick six. 31-20.
BearKamp
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11 point game...would of been nice to have that extra point now. Gotta score 2 TD's to win. Tough.
DAC
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MilliVanilli said:

merckywaters said:

just put him on ignore. I just did and it's great
Another CAB apologist gets triggered and retreats to a safe space and then publicly proclaims how safe they feel in their bunker now that they don't have to face rebuttal for asinine posts about CAB's innocence.


Go away
Oldbear83
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Not much we could do there, just a bad pass from a QB who had to take chances
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
Assassin
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Oldbear83 said:

Assassin said:

Rhule has put us in position to win this game.


Mmmmmmmmmmmmm, no.
Cant believe Rhule threw that pick

And then Rhule missed the tackle on the guy that picked him off
Facebook Groups at 'Memories of... Dallas, Texas, Football in Texas, Texas Music, and our newest Memories From a Texas Window' Come visit!
BearInBigD
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merckywaters said:

just put him on ignore. I just did and it's great
Oh, I've had it on ignore forever. Unfortunately, when others quote it, I occasionally see one of its posts.
BillDauterive
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RioRata
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Well that sucked.
DAC
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BearInBigD said:

merckywaters said:

just put him on ignore. I just did and it's great
Oh, I've had it on ignore forever. Unfortunately, when others quote it, I occasionally see one of its posts.


Sorry
Boatshoes
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MilliVanilli said:

merckywaters said:

just put him on ignore. I just did and it's great
Another CAB apologist gets triggered and retreats to a safe space and then publicly proclaims how safe they feel in their bunker now that they don't have to face rebuttal for asinine posts about CAB's innocence.
So, like we were saying...how many charges, how many convinctions?
Anthonybaylor2009
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I think we need a new official game day forum. So far the person who has started this thread is 0-3 this year.
BaylorProud77
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Yogi said:

And the Charlie Brewer era begins.
yep, Hopefully will be darn good by his junior year if our OL doesn't get him killed first.
BillDauterive
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MilliVanilli
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DAC said:

MilliVanilli said:

merckywaters said:

just put him on ignore. I just did and it's great
Another CAB apologist gets triggered and retreats to a safe space and then publicly proclaims how safe they feel in their bunker now that they don't have to face rebuttal for asinine posts about CAB's innocence.


Go away
You have the power to go if you're triggered, be my guest.
Chanceux
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STAFF - You boys get off your butts and put and end to this milli guy. I'm dadgum sick of it and everyone else is too.
Oldbear83
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BEAR RAMMAGE said:

Zach is better than Anu by miles, but damn he sucks right now.
The first problem is his line is not much for protection

Second is his head coach does not understand the offense, or his weapons

Third is experience. Smith will get better experience, too bad we can't get him a real head coach.
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
Keeno
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We will not win a game this year.
Oldbear83
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Lot of mental mistakes. But that's only fair, since hiring Rhule was obviously the biggest mental mistake
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
 
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