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Baylor Football

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

September 16, 2017
157,230

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)

111,772 Views | 708 Replies | Last: 7 yr ago by bunation
Pale Rider
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bearlyafarmer said:

Lin said:

Briles killed the program, remember? Do I need to explain to you how?
You're certainly welcome to present your hard evidence. In fact, you can still be the first ever to do so!
Exactly. There is no hard evidence.
Yogi
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Lin said:

Briles killed the program, remember? Do I need to explain to you how? I
Yes.
"Smarter than the Average Bear."
Lin
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We are all Baylor family and I'm a really old Bear. But-- Do you really think Briles is so stupid he didn't know or have reason to know what his players were doing to the young women on campus? Do you really think he had his head in the sand about the "social" proclivities of guys on his team and those he was trying to recruit? I, frankly, think he's smarter than that. And so am I. It's healthy to keep the BOR on their toes but the buck stops with the head coach and athletic director and all administrators and counselors who knew or shouid have known. Sign me female magna cum laude. Sic em Bears.
Pale Rider
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Lin said:

We are all Baylor family and I'm a really old Bear. But-- Do you really think Briles is so stupid he didn't know or have reason to know what his players were doing to the young women on campus? Do you really think he had his head in the sand about the "social" proclivities of guys on his team and those he was trying to recruit? I, frankly, think he's smarter than that. And so am I. It's healthy to keep the BOR on their toes but the buck stops with the head coach and athletic director and all administrators and counselors who knew or shouid have known. Sign me female magna cum laude. Sic em Bears.
Your points are well taken Ms Lin.

I'm just still a bit angry. Maybe more than a bit.
YoakDaddy
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Lin said:

We are all Baylor family and I'm a really old Bear. But-- Do you really think Briles is so stupid he didn't know or have reason to know what his players were doing to the young women on campus? Do you really think he had his head in the sand about the "social" proclivities of guys on his team and those he was trying to recruit? I, frankly, think he's smarter than that. And so am I. It's healthy to keep the BOR on their toes but the buck stops with the head coach and athletic director and all administrators and counselors who knew or shouid have known. Sign me female magna cum laude. Sic em Bears.

Except for that silly little letter that Baylor gave him.....Just what "social proclivities" do you mean? Are those the same that other males on campus have or just football players?
Eball
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So another one with absolutely no proof CAB did anything wrong just an opinion that since some of his players did some bad things He must have known something and mishandled something and deserved to be let go...

How about the evidence of what he did do...took BU football to a place it has never been before in the National discussion about a shot at a Championship. Facilities upgraded to the point where we had a shot at staying relevant for a long time.

Tevin happened in 2012, Sam in 2015...why was it May of 2016 before we decided to make changes?

Why did we buy him out instead of terminating him for cause?

Why has the BOR allowed the face of a University wide problem to become our football team and CAB?

Why were Starr and Ian both originally not terminated like CAB?

Do you just discount all the great kids in the football program who went on mission trips, graduated and helped us maintain one of the highest GPA's in the conference?

Your post is noting but a poor judgmental, filled with a biased perception view.
Boatshoes
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Lin said:

We are all Baylor family and I'm a really old Bear. But-- Do you really think Briles is so stupid he didn't know or have reason to know what his players were doing to the young women on campus? Do you really think he had his head in the sand about the "social" proclivities of guys on his team and those he was trying to recruit? I, frankly, think he's smarter than that. And so am I. It's healthy to keep the BOR on their toes but the buck stops with the head coach and athletic director and all administrators and counselors who knew or shouid have known. Sign me female magna cum laude. Sic em Bears.


How many of Briles players were charged with rape? How many were convicted? (both questions require a number to answer).
DAC
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Lin said:

We are all Baylor family and I'm a really old Bear. But-- Do you really think Briles is so stupid he didn't know or have reason to know what his players were doing to the young women on campus? Do you really think he had his head in the sand about the "social" proclivities of guys on his team and those he was trying to recruit? I, frankly, think he's smarter than that. And so am I. It's healthy to keep the BOR on their toes but the buck stops with the head coach and athletic director and all administrators and counselors who knew or shouid have known. Sign me female magna cum laude. Sic em Bears.


What exactly were his players doing to the young women on campus?
bunation
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Lin said:

We are all Baylor family and I'm a really old Bear. But-- Do you really think Briles is so stupid he didn't know or have reason to know what his players were doing to the young women on campus? Do you really think he had his head in the sand about the "social" proclivities of guys on his team and those he was trying to recruit? I, frankly, think he's smarter than that. And so am I. It's healthy to keep the BOR on their toes but the buck stops with the head coach and athletic director and all administrators and counselors who knew or shouid have known. Sign me female magna cum laude. Sic em Bears.


You're an idiot. No coach, dept dean or physics prof should EVER be in the loop for a student alleging legal problems at Baylor. Ever. That's way out of their pay grade and job description. That's for the admin, DA, and police to handle. NO ONE can prevent a "victim" from calling mommy or pressing "911." No one.

There have been NO new arrests since all of theses Ho's have filed their suspect lawsuits alleging events from years ago.

Those are the facts.

Briles wasn't perfect. Dismissing him without due process was unconscionable and costly.
 
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