Ten Things That Stood Out From Baylor Visiting Oklahoma
Baylor is looking to keep Big 12 Championship dreams alive on the road in Norman. Here are at least ten things which stood out during the game
Where Have The Classes of 2018 and 2019 Gone?
Injuries, transfers, and more transitioned the 2018 and 2019 classes into needing younger players to step into the experience void for 2022
The FRO: Super Seniors returning, 2023 recruiting momentum, and MBB
In Facts, Rumors & Opinions (aka FRO), the SicEm365 staff compiles their knowledge and speculation from a number of conversations for a piece to cover a variety of interesting topics on Baylor University and Baylor Athletics including football, basketball and recruiting.
Roster: Staying or Going?
I put together an article on all the seniors on the roster as if they were all going to leave last week. Luckily, that isn't the case. We know the Bears invited to post season bowls by the NFL will be gone. I expected a few more to be gone as well.I am hearing to expect much of the OL that can will return. Another year under Mateos is what is being preached from some NFL scouts/agents to the players. That doesn't mean a player won't get a better grade than expected and take the opportunity, but for now, losing a 1-2 starters from the line is the expectation. If Baylor were to get Connor Galvin, Grant Miller, Jacob Gall, and possibly Khalil Keith back, it would allow the classes below time to get even more experience. Baylor would likely be on the market for a tackle in the portal and several names have popped on the scene and will continue to do so if Keith is unable to return. Micah Mazzccua should slide into Newman-Smith's position.Another area of need is obviously CB with Barnes, Milton, and Texada leaving the program after the season. Nothing on new names as of today from my end.There are rumors of 1-2 defensive linemen retiring after the bowl game, but with the rotations Ron Roberts runs on defense, the depth will remain strong.Dillon Doyle looks to remain on campus, but replacing Bernard will be a primary focus for the staff.
Monday Notes
I had some notes and wanted to put them in an article, but I'm still a bullet point guyConnor Galvin played well despite having a fingers taped together due to an injury against Texas Southern. If anyone has injured their hand and then has to use it in a week, there is pain, but the likely future NFL draftee showed his toughness and played without issue. Siaki Ika has been a lightning rod of sorts with some on the board not understanding the position and Apu hasn't done the best job early with his conditioning and play vs. Texas State and suspension for team rules violation against Texas Southern. Saturday started to show what he is capable of with some excellent disruption and controlling the middle. The issue isn't his talent, it is conditioning. Being far from home, he had gained bad weight and was closer to 400 against Texas State than his listed weight. He's dropped close to 30 pounds since then and you saw a difference in his play. Once he gets near the 330-340 range, the conditioning will be better as will his play. Garmon Randolph got his first run of the season and the 6-7 JACK was disruptive in his limited time on the field. He was the projected starter before an injury and this has forced Matt Jones to JACK despite having little time in Fall at the position. Anthony Anyanwu was starting at JACK before a fracture in his lower leg sidelined him after the last scrimmage. He's expected to return in 2-4 weeks and the defense will get another boost with his return.Raleigh Texada is lonely and I don't remember Kansas throwing his way in the game. AJ McCarty seemed to replace him when the subs came in, so it will be interesting if he has moved ahead of Mark Milton or the camera work was just ESPN+