SicEm365 Staff Predictions for Baylor's First Game of 2022

The SicEm365 Staff gives their predictions for the season opener for the Baylor Bears against Albany. The first game of the regular season will kickoff at 6 p.m. CT at McLane Stadium

Colt Barber — Baylor 56, Albany 7

I fully expect a dominating defensive effort and a run game that will keep the total offensive points at bay while racking up time of possession after some explosive plays in the passing game early. The difference in this being a 49-7 type of game and 63-7 are special teams and defensive scores. I’ll go with right in the middle.

Ashley Hodge — Baylor 52, Albany 3

I hope that we see a lot of the starters on the sidelines without pads in the second half.  I’m excited to see some of the fruits of the depth that we all believe we have.  Hoping for a shut out but can see Albany sneaking a score in at some point in the game.

Brian Ethridge – Baylor 59, Albany 10

This game is going to be ugly and a practice for the starters. It'll be great to see the less experienced players on the roster get significant playing time. The team will knock of the game rust and be ready for the trip to BYU where the competition level will ramp up.

Craig Smoak — Baylor 54, Albany 3

Both teams have fun, Albany enjoys their paycheck, and Baylor enjoys a nice tuneup before the road wars begin next in Provo.

David Smoak — Baylor 51, Albany 13

I’m always more cautious with a season opener regardless of the opponents. I remember a year ago when I was cautious about Baylor’s season opener against Texas State and a lot of people thought I was too critical. Well, we know that game was on thin ice until the end. This game won’t be tenuous and perhaps the Bears give up a big play or two, but Baylor’s defense will make sophomore QB Reese Poffenbarger’s first start at Albany very miserable and create a few points on defense too.

Paul Catalina — Baylor 58, Albany 10

Blake Shapen gets 2.5 good quarters to develop more chemistry with the new skill players. The D-Line feasts all day and Baylor moves on to BYU.

Grayson Grundhoefer — Baylor 66, Albany 7

This game is all about Baylor...I expect a heavy dose of the run game mixed with some play action shots on the offensive side to go along with a defense that overwhelms Albany in the trenches. Baylor’s starters should be out of the game by halftime and we should get a chance to see some young guys make plays.

Sam Bradshaw — Baylor 59, Albany 13

Albany had a limited running game before and is unproven at QB now. Defensively they lost a standout linebacker and three of their four starters on the defensive line including both DTs and one DE who now starts for the FSU Seminoles. That’s rough going against the Baylor OL & wide zone. It won’t be close and Baylor rolls as much as Aranda has the stomach to run it up to.

Travis Roeder — Baylor 66, Albany 0

Normally you can count on the second and third-string defense to give up some points late, but Baylor is so deep that won’t happen. Baylor’s offense rolls running base run game but making sure to get the young WRs some opportunities to develop a connection with shapen. Don’t focus on total yards or points, look for players making plays which will translate against better competition.

Kendall Kaut — Baylor 45, Albany 0

The Bears manage a shutout, while the offense misses a couple of big plays. Shapen makes some good intermediate throws, and the running backs have a big day. 

Jack Mackenzie — Baylor 62, Albany 3

The first-team offense scores 28 at least before guys start getting pulled. If there were a line of 1.5 for defensive and special teams TDs I’d take the under but that’s a fun one to think about. The defense narrowly misses out on a shutout.

Garrett Ross — Baylor 56, Albany 10

The Great Danes’ 2022 season will begin the same as their 2021 season ended: with a loss on the road. While Baylor has some question marks to figure out at the skill positions, this game will provide a great opportunity for younger players to get valuable game reps.

Levi Caraway — Baylor 55, Albany 10

Baylor should dominate in the trenches all night long, but I’m looking forward to watching the Blake Shapen & Taye McWilliams duo for the first time.

Jacob Wilson — Baylor 59, Albany 6

The Bears are facing an FCS opponent that went 2-9 last season, so let’s enjoy the return of Baylor football in 2022 and get a glimpse of which skill position players will become playmakers this year. Baylor gets up early and coasts in this contest, but the Great Danes could manage at least a field goal or two.