The Players Club: Looking to Play the Spoiler Against TCU

Welcome to the Players Club. This week starring defensive lineman Kyler Jordan and tight end Jake Roberts as the Bears prepare for battle against bitter rival TCU in cruel but familiar territory. And the weather should be nicer this time around. 

The Frogs have owned the matchup of late, painfully so. But Baylor has a chance to change the recent narrative surrounding this series and put on a good show as the sun sets on the 2023 season. 

THE MINDSET 

Last season's loss to TCU left a scar, a mark that this program still seems to be recovering from in some ways. 

But in this latest matchup, hatred aside, the stakes are drastically different. The Bears won't reach six wins, while the Frogs must win their final two, Baylor and @ Oklahoma, to earn six victories themselves. A far cry from the 13-2 record and National runner-up campaign in Sonny Dykes’ debut season. 

There's definitely a rivalry motivation for the Bears this weekend, and there's also a chance to play spoiler, but what other forces drive them when some goals are off the table?

"Playing for each other. We know we can't make a bowl game right now, but that's not going to stop how we're preparing. We've got to stay together and it's about pride at this point," junior tight end Jake Roberts said on Tuesday. 

"It's about the love of the game, and coming out here, I'm going to work the same whether we're 8-0, or if we hadn't won a game yet. It's bringing that same mentality every day, playing together, and finishing it the right way." 

From the outside, we can often forget the personal side in light of the personnel side. So, no, this team isn't playing for a Big 12 title. Bragging rights? Sure. But, most of all, they are playing for the brotherhood at this point.  

This team has fought together through the offseason grind, the summer heat, and the harsh nature of this season's defeats. So now it's about putting their best forward and finishing it out. 

"I feel like there's a real camaraderie in the locker room. So really just trying to stay with each other, not get away from the relationships that we've made, and really just trying to play for the guy next to you," Kyler Jordan said. 

The redshirt freshman linebacker has appeared in all ten games this season. His brightest 2023 highlights came against Utah when he notched his first career interception and first tackle for loss in the near-upset bid. 

"I mean, we've put so much into this season and it doesn't stop now because of our record. So yeah, just staying together."

THE TE ROOM 

That mentality of togetherness permeates throughout the tight end room these days. Plenty of off-season expectations haven't panned out, but there was a strong belief the group would have good numbers depth-wise and an impact in the passing game. That's rang true. 

Senior Drake Dabney is fresh off his second 100-yard game and leads the team with five touchdown receptions. The Cy-Ranch alum ranks second behind Monaray Baldwin in receiving yards (452) and receptions (27). Dabney also was a massive help to Roberts when he first arrived as a transfer from North Texas. 

"It's been a real pleasure getting to grow with him. And I feel like we're having a really productive year, and Drake's balling out, and we're all getting ours," Roberts said. "And it's fun to see everybody out there succeeding, but it's been really fun playing alongside him. He's been a great teammate and fried." 

And by everybody balling out, I assume Roberts means the thorough involvement of multiple tight ends. 

Last week, freshman Hawkins Polley caught a touchdown pass in his college debut. Fellow freshman Matthew Klopfenstein has made nine appearances and caught his second career pass last week against Kansas State. As for Roberts, he's played in all ten games and caught 19 passes for 162 yards and one score. Kelsey Johnson is averaging a catch or two per week lately. You get the point. 

So, with Dabney's big performance and many guys getting chances, are pride and confidence beaming through the group right now? 

"100%. I think our camaraderie in the tight end room is really strong right now. I think we're playing for each other. Everyone's fighting their own battles. And we just want to see each other succeed," Roberts said. 

"So we're trying to do what we can to help contribute to the wins, and we want the best for the team. And we're doing a good job of playing for each other and playing hard in the tight end room."

The experts can weigh in on the group's effectiveness in the blocking game, but when you think about the program's steps forward, the room ranks near the top in potential positives to build from. 

PLAYING SPOILER 

While the Bears can't make the postseason, they can ensure the Frogs are also home for the holidays. TCU must win their final two games, starting with Baylor this weekend, before closing at Oklahoma.

The Sooners should have fair odds to deliver the final blow, if necessary, but why wait? 

Dave Aranda mentioned how it gutted the team at the time and how the result might serve as a motivator for those who played a year ago. 

But do players care about that type of thing? 

"I think it's intrinsic motivation for us, but we know what's at stake, and we know that they're fighting for the same thing. And, we need to go out there and focus on playing Baylor football and let the cards fall as they may," Jake Roberts said. 

"We know what's at stake this weekend, even if it's not bowl eligibility, we know we want to beat those guys. And it's kind of bragging rights. We know it means a lot to a lot of people. So we're going to go out there, and we know what's on the line."

As a Lubbock native, Kyler Jordan grew up watching Texas Tech games and isn't well-versed in the long history of the Baylor-TCU rivalry. But he knows enough to understand the importance of putting on a good showing, especially with just two opportunities remaining. 

There's plenty on the line, and Jordan can feel the buzz of a big game throughout the locker room, from coaches to staff to players. 

"For sure. This is a big game. I think we've still got a statement to be made. There's definitely something to sort of play for, regardless of how the season's gone thus far," Jordan said. "You've still got another chance to play football, got a chance to compete. So, gotta put your best product out there."