Gameday Thread: Baylor Takes on LSU Tigers in Texas Bowl

Married A Horn said:

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bear2be2 said:

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Married A Horn said:

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Baldwin doesnt seem fast today.

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Did you not see his 46-yard reception? Or the time(s) he toasted his man and Sawyer missed him.

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You mean the one where he was caught from behind by a defensive lineman?

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Reese was watching instead of blocking. Watch the replay

bear2be2 said:

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Jorkel said:

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boognish_bear said:

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Jorkel said:

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bear2be2 said:

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We played hard and competed well. We just didn't play nearly a clean enough game to beat a good team today.

I feel better now than I did in the first half. This was more of a missed opportunity than an ass-kicking.

We need to clean A LOT of stuff up. But we weren't outmanned today anywhere but in the secondary. And we've got a lot of new personnel coming in there.

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LSU is a good team?

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LSU finished 9-4 and 5-3 in SEC play and has a win over #14 Ole Miss. They will probably sneak back into the Top 25 in the last poll.

Do they not qualify as a good team?

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I think they are a good team. Everyone else on here thinks that every team outside of the top two in the SEC are just mediocre like the rest of us

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Historian is only one who I can think of who called those teams mediocre. Everyone else has said they're good, not great, teams. Baylor would fall in that same category this year IMO.

The 2024 Bears were a good, solid team. We just weren't good enough to beat other good teams when we didn't play well. And today unfortunately, we didn't play well.

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Which (the bolded part) can be said for just about any team in the country, save a few. There is too much parity and the level of play of that parity is slowiy rising because of the portal and NIL. And no one always plays well. I am thankful we did for the previous six games or we would not have had the opportunity to play in a good bowl game against a good team.

blackie said:

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Big12Fan2024 said:

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Tons of things to walk away with positive thoughts for this year. This team didn't start the year as a good team but they ended it as one. Anyone who says LSU is not good is a dufus.

Although I'd love to see a couple more larger, more physical and faster linebackers, the one area that has to be overhauled from both a coaching standpoint and a player talent standpoint for us to reach the top of the Big 12 is the secondary. Not only were they fundamentally unsound all season (coaching issue), they just aren't at a talent level that you need to actually win a Big 12 title. They aren't fast, they aren't physical, they don't have very good field vision or instincts and they have really poor technique. Maybe Gordon makes a little bit of a difference in that game, but not enough by himself to win. Get that cleaned up and we're looking really, really good.

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If you don't have the jimmy and joes it doesn't matter who is coaching anything. I think it is a farce to believe CDA doesn't know how to coach defense. You even stated it yourself.....

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They aren't fast, they aren't physical

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They are trying to rectify that via recruiting and the portal. They are no dummies. I am sure however, that they would welcome an essay from you as to how those players should be coached. Sure, we are still suffering from the ill-advised approach to the portal the two years after the championship years. But they learned and are addressing that, but it doesn't turn the ship around on a dime. I remember hearing several times from Coach that we had to play a zoned secondary because if we played man if would be even worse. And a good QB can pick a zone apart. They know the situation. They don't have to be told by neophytes on a message board. (And include myself in that description.)

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Do you have anything other than a really bad collection of cliches you've collected over 75 years of not understanding anything about sports? And, at least learn basic reading comprehension. I'm talking about Powledge and whoever coaches the corners, not Aranda. No one is talking about what we've signed in the portal. I'm talking about where it stands at the end of this game and this season. But, then again, no one would expect you to understand.

boognish_bear said:

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We could not stop them.
They could not stop us.
They did not stop themselves.
We did stop ourselves.

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Pretty good summary.

Married A Horn said:

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bear2be2 said:

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Married A Horn said:

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bear2be2 said:

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Married A Horn said:

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Baldwin doesnt seem fast today.

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Did you not see his 46-yard reception? Or the time(s) he toasted his man and Sawyer missed him.

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You mean the one where he was caught from behind by a defensive lineman?

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After running about 80 yards -- much of that laterally -- giving players behind the play time to catch up to him?

Baldwin was one of the fastest players on the field today -- as he always is.

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The DE ran almost the exact same distance.

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If you think their defensive end is as fast as Monaray Baldwin, I don't know what to tell you. The guy has been clocked at 22.8 mph. He's not just Baylor fast. He's fast fast.

PartyBear said:

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CaliBear00 said:

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Oof, a lot of frustration to digest here. Too many bone head errors, can't do that against a team like LSU that has the ballers to make you pay for it.

While Robertson is by far the best and most dynamic QB we've had since Bryce Petty, his downfield accuracy needs considerable work in the off season. It wouldn't surprise me if Walker White beats him for the starting job next season. It's a gut punch watching our WRs beat their defenders only for Robertson to over throw them. It's been a problem all season long and he's not improving. That's a concern.

On the optimistic side we've acquired enough talent to legitimately compete for a conference title next season. Things are looking up for Baylor football.

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Agree the team reminded me today of watching the 2010 or 2012 team. A team right on the edge of being great actually. And you can see the signs of it. It's just the parts just aren't all there yet.

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I agree. This team isn't far off. Our offense is legit. Our defensive front is solid against the run.

If we can improve our pass rush and especially our pass coverage, we can contend for a Big 12 title next year.

Maybe explains some of the shakiness from Sawyer as well

.@BUFootball coach Dave Aranda was pretty blunt after the game. He said the moment was too big for the Bears. But he said players like Keaton Thomas will use this loss to fuel them for next season.

— Matt Mosley (@mattmosley) January 1, 2025

blackie said:

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Big12Fan2024 said:

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Tons of things to walk away with positive thoughts for this year. This team didn't start the year as a good team but they ended it as one. Anyone who says LSU is not good is a dufus.

Although I'd love to see a couple more larger, more physical and faster linebackers, the one area that has to be overhauled from both a coaching standpoint and a player talent standpoint for us to reach the top of the Big 12 is the secondary. Not only were they fundamentally unsound all season (coaching issue), they just aren't at a talent level that you need to actually win a Big 12 title. They aren't fast, they aren't physical, they don't have very good field vision or instincts and they have really poor technique. Maybe Gordon makes a little bit of a difference in that game, but not enough by himself to win. Get that cleaned up and we're looking really, really good.

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If you don't have the jimmy and joes it doesn't matter who is coaching anything. I think it is a farce to believe CDA doesn't know how to coach defense. You even stated it yourself.....

Quote:

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They aren't fast, they aren't physical

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They are trying to rectify that via recruiting and the portal. They are no dummies. I am sure however, that they would welcome an essay from you as to how those players should be coached. Sure, we are still suffering from the ill-advised approach to the portal the two years after the championship years. But they learned and are addressing that, but it doesn't turn the ship around on a dime. I remember hearing several times from Coach that we had to play a zoned secondary because if we played man if would be even worse. And a good QB can pick a zone apart. They know the situation. They don't have to be told by neophytes on a message board. (And include myself in that description.)

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The problem is we've played a lot of different Jimmies and Joes and had the same poor results defensively the last three seasons.

I don't think it's a knowledge problem for Aranda, but I do think you have to ask yourself at some point if our scheme is too complicated for the players we're able to get on campus to execute.

A little simplification might be a good thing.

I think somewhere in the thread someone said Trigg was also about for academics… But this says medical

#Baylor football’s availability report for the Texas Bowl against #LSU. No Steve Linton or Snaxx Johnson due to academic issues. Robertson, Hawkins and Randolph are listed as probable. #SicEm pic.twitter.com/zrs0KuMFx7

— Foster Nicholas (@FosterNicholas_) December 31, 2024

Correct. Johnson was the other important one out due to academics. Definitely could have used Linton in a game like this too.

Josh Cameron: Definitely sucked going out like that ... but it's the little details that make or break a game, honestly, and we just weren't on that today. We just have to get better. #SicEm

— Craig Smoak (@CraigSmoak) January 1, 2025

boognish_bear said:

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Josh Cameron: Definitely sucked going out like that ... but it's the little details that make or break a game, honestly, and we just weren't on that today. We just have to get better. #SicEm

— Craig Smoak (@CraigSmoak) January 1, 2025

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Pretty much the long and the short of it.

We made a lot of losing plays today -- plays we were making a lot of when we started 2-4 and plays we weren't making when we went on our six-game win streak.

It is what it is. Move on and get better.

Didn't realize two of the most important players in a matchup like this were out. Johnson was the only db playing good ball on our team. With how thin the secondary talent is that one hurt.

Dave Aranda: "I think Keaton [Thomas], right now, is pissed off somewhere."

Says he sees Thomas as a leader on the team, and that he wants to use that emotion as motivation.

— Jackson Posey ✞ (@ByJacksonPosey) January 1, 2025

Aranda says the secondary needs to take the biggest group step forward this offseason. That includes greater attention to detail, a stronger care factor and practice examples carrying over into actual games.

"I've got to do a better job of demanding more from that group."

— Craig Smoak (@CraigSmoak) January 1, 2025

WR Josh Cameron says he wants to take a further step leadership-wise next season, and be the guy people look to when they're down or need anything.

Departing senior Gavin Yates on Cameron as a teammate and leader: "Baylor Football is in good hands with him."

— Craig Smoak (@CraigSmoak) January 1, 2025

BUATX2000 said:

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boognish_bear said:

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We’ve seen a LOT of chippy games, trash talk and way too many brawls this year in college football. Glad to see an image like this. You strip away the uniforms and they are all just kids playing a game#Baylor #TexasBowl pic.twitter.com/GSVAgbXwtk

— CFB Saturday Slate w/ Mick N Bus (@CFB_SatSlate) December 31, 2024

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The forfeited the "they're just kids" protection when they started cashing grown man checks.

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What a terrible take...

boognish_bear said:

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Aranda says the secondary needs to take the biggest group step forward this offseason. That includes greater attention to detail, a stronger care factor and practice examples carrying over into actual games.

"I've got to do a better job of demanding more from that group."

— Craig Smoak (@CraigSmoak) January 1, 2025

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Care factor?

*** is that??

He thinks the secondary isn't taking their jobs/roles/play serious enough. They need to care more about the team and winning.

WR Coach...his group did great today

Definitely not the outcome but God I thank you anyways. A rose needs rain to grow, so I’m thankful for this rain because it’ll help me be the man you’re intending for me to become. I’m sorry to everyone and moments like this has always motivated me #SicEm #ThankfulAndBlessed…

— Dallas Baker (@CoachDBaker81) January 1, 2025

So Aranda bluntly said "the moment was too big" for his team? That's rich.

Reverend said:

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So Aranda bluntly said "the moment was too big" for his team? That's rich.

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Shrugging shoulders… Aranda is like Biden. Everyone sees it, understands it, but the Media (Administration/AD) keep saying "he's fine, productive and capable of the job".

Reverend said:

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So Aranda bluntly said "the moment was too big" for his team? That's rich.

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In Year 5!

Just wanna say thank yall to everyone who supported this team through the ups and downs! It was a fun year and I’m really gone miss this team. Hungry and ready for 2025!🙏🏾🐻 #BU

— Josh Cameron (@Josh_Cameron34) January 1, 2025

Thank you Baylor💚💛💚💛🐻 forever a bear✊🏾 #BaylorNation

— Ashtyn Hawkins (@ashtynhawkins) January 1, 2025

BBWCBear said:

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Reverend said:

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So Aranda bluntly said "the moment was too big" for his team? That's rich.

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Shrugging shoulders… Aranda is like Biden. Everyone sees it, understands it, but the Media (Administration/AD) keep saying "he's fine, productive and capable of the job".

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The fact is, we have more than enough of a sample size with Dave to know what we have with him: an average-at-best coach that can win against mid-tier opponents when every phase of the game is clicking, and his running backs are controlling the clock. Most coaches win in those situations. Opponents with superior talent or better coaching come out of the gate with a better game plan and fewer mental mistakes and put us in a hole early. His teams are also good for at least one last second loss via Hail Mary blown coverage every year.

Reverend said:

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So Aranda bluntly said "the moment was too big" for his team? That's rich.

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I would have to go back and look, but he recycled that line or something very similar to it from a press conference from a previous loss. Pretty sure he has the athletic department or ChatGPT write these lines for him so that he can pull them out of a hat when needed

Daveisabovereproach said:

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BBWCBear said:

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Reverend said:

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So Aranda bluntly said "the moment was too big" for his team? That's rich.

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Shrugging shoulders… Aranda is like Biden. Everyone sees it, understands it, but the Media (Administration/AD) keep saying "he's fine, productive and capable of the job".

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The fact is, we have more than enough of a sample size with Dave to know what we have with him: an average-at-best coach that can win against mid-tier opponents when every phase of the game is clicking, and his running backs are controlling the clock. Most coaches win in those situations. Opponents with superior talent or better coaching come out of the gate with a better game plan and fewer mental mistakes and put us in a hole early. His teams are also good for at least one last second loss via Hail Mary blown coverage every year.

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Come on, you really think that BU has the talent to beat LSU yesterday? The playoffs and Bowl Games versus top/bluebloods let us know where we need to improve talent-wise. This was a successful season, made improvements on Offense and Defense, we do not have the talent to compete with the bluebloods of the SEC yet. Why does everything have to be a firing or some huge failure? We got beat by what are going to be NFL receivers, Hilton was out most of this season. He is a going to play on Sundays and the TE will be a high pick.

FLBear5630 said:

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Daveisabovereproach said:

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BBWCBear said:

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Reverend said:

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So Aranda bluntly said "the moment was too big" for his team? That's rich.

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Shrugging shoulders… Aranda is like Biden. Everyone sees it, understands it, but the Media (Administration/AD) keep saying "he's fine, productive and capable of the job".

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The fact is, we have more than enough of a sample size with Dave to know what we have with him: an average-at-best coach that can win against mid-tier opponents when every phase of the game is clicking, and his running backs are controlling the clock. Most coaches win in those situations. Opponents with superior talent or better coaching come out of the gate with a better game plan and fewer mental mistakes and put us in a hole early. His teams are also good for at least one last second loss via Hail Mary blown coverage every year.

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Come on, you really think that BU has the talent to beat LSU yesterday? The playoffs and Bowl Games versus top/bluebloods let us know where we need to improve talent-wise. This was a successful season, made improvements on Offense and Defense, we do not have the talent to compete with the bluebloods of the SEC yet. Why does everything have to be a firing or some huge failure? We got beat by what are going to be NFL receivers, Hilton was out most of this season. He is a going to play on Sundays and the TE will be a high pick.

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This is a total "lost cause" narrative. We had no chance to beat them, scruffy little old Baylor just happy to be here Clark playing a blue blood and giving it the old college try. Yes, we were favored for a reason. We had a chance to beat them.

Now, personally, with Dave as coach, I never pencil anything in as a win unless it's a long island-esque opponent, and even then it can be iffy

We were favored because of the sheer amount of opt outs they had. The game was never really in doubt from the opening kick. And that was against an LSu team playing backups at several positions. The talent gap between a team like LSU and Bu is gigantic. This illustrates why I wanted no part of LSU. That was a lose lose situation. That said Dave is still in year 5 one of the worst in game coaches in CFB. And the narrative that he's some sort of defensive guru needs to end. The guy flat out sucks coaching a defense

IowaBear said:

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We were favored because of the sheer amount of opt outs they had. The game was never really in doubt from the opening kick. And that was against an LSu team playing backups at several positions. The talent gap between a team like LSU and Bu is gigantic. This illustrates why I wanted no part of LSU. That was a lose lose situation. That said Dave is still in year 5 one of the worst in game coaches in CFB. And the narrative that he's some sort of defensive guru needs to end. The guy flat out sucks coaching a defense

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To say that we had no chance to beat them is untrue and a coping mechanism. That's all I'm saying. In football, teams with inferior talent and good coaching sometimes beat teams with superior talent and worse coaching. It is not a rare occurrence. Also, again, Vegas had us favored for a reason. People were putting money on Baylor such that the line was -3.5

But as I said, we are talking about a coach that lost to Texas State and Air Force and has lost multiple games on last second Hail Mary blown coverages. If you gave a guy like Matt Campbell our current squad, I like our chances yesterday a whole lot better

And I agree that Dave's best bet moving forward is to hire someone that is a better defensive mind than him (he is lower-mid tier at best) and adopt more of a CEO role with the team which I actually think is more his skill set

jikespingleton said:

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boognish_bear said:

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Aranda says the secondary needs to take the biggest group step forward this offseason. That includes greater attention to detail, a stronger care factor and practice examples carrying over into actual games.

"I've got to do a better job of demanding more from that group."

— Craig Smoak (@CraigSmoak) January 1, 2025

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Care factor?

*** is that??

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Caring enough to do your ****ing job. The one you're getting paid for. Go listen to the post game. He again points out the ****ty secondary. You run base and the LSU WRs run by you like your in quick sand. You roll coverage to help and lightened the box then you reaching instead of running throw a player to make a tackle. Giving up the edge like that isn't taught in pop Warner. Call it care factor.. I call it doing your ****ing job so internet fans are not bashing the coaches for your inability to execute basic ****

Daveisabovereproach said:

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IowaBear said:

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We were favored because of the sheer amount of opt outs they had. The game was never really in doubt from the opening kick. And that was against an LSu team playing backups at several positions. The talent gap between a team like LSU and Bu is gigantic. This illustrates why I wanted no part of LSU. That was a lose lose situation. That said Dave is still in year 5 one of the worst in game coaches in CFB. And the narrative that he's some sort of defensive guru needs to end. The guy flat out sucks coaching a defense

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To say that we had no chance to beat them is untrue and a coping mechanism. That's all I'm saying. In football, teams with inferior talent and good coaching sometimes beat teams with superior talent and worse coaching. It is not a rare occurrence. Also, again, Vegas had us favored for a reason. People were putting money on Baylor such that the line was -3.5

But as I said, we are talking about a coach that lost to Texas State and Air Force and has lost multiple games on last second Hail Mary blown coverages. If you gave a guy like Matt Campbell our current squad, I like our chances yesterday a whole lot better

And I agree that Dave's best bet moving forward is to hire someone that is a better defensive mind than him (he is lower-mid tier at best) and adopt more of a CEO role with the team which I actually think is more his skill set

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The opt out is overplayed at schools like LSU, Bama, UGA, OSU because those kids on the field are just as good NFL talents as those that opted out. It just isn't their time yet, now it is. That is how it is at top talent schools, reload and there is no real degradation of talent. In a Bowl game it is equally tough on the opposing team as there is no film.

Opting out at a BSU, BU, or that level is devastating for the simple reason that we do not have the dynamic mass to compete.

That is the challenge. I agree on hiring a good DC, not because I don't think Aranda can do it, but because CFB has gotten past where anyone can do two jobs well.