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Baylor Football

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

September 16, 2017
157,496

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)

112,041 Views | 708 Replies | Last: 7 yr ago by bunation
Oldbear83
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Compounding said:

So fortunate Duke doesn't look like they're any good. This is a mess so far. Its a stretch but the game is still winnable
Duke flat-out owned Northwestern last week. Not sure what's up with Rhule, but the defense is definitely playing better.
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
Assassin
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RealLarryDon said:

Smith finishes the first half 6-19 for 84 yards. Just awful. Give Brewer a shot.
I dont think Smith is the problem. At least 5 drops that I can remember. And the INT wasnt on him - that was on Gavin Holmes
Facebook Groups at 'Memories of... Dallas, Texas, Football in Texas, Texas Music, and our newest Memories From a Texas Window' Come visit!
Yogi
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RealLarryDon said:

Smith finishes the first half 6-19 for 84 yards. Just awful. Give Brewer a shot.
Same problem our receivers have in the NFL: having trouble learning playbook/ route trees.


"Smarter than the Average Bear."
BaylorProud77
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Pale Rider said:

Had some hope for this game.

We're so done.

Duke is a good team and well coached.
The pitiful part is that Duke is really not that good of a team.. We just make them look good.
RealLarryDon
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Ok State offense is what we used to look like. They can go the full length of the field in 25 seconds.
BearKamp
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RealLarryDon said:

Chanceux said:

RealLarryDon said:

Smith finishes the first half 6-19 for 84 yards. Just awful. Give Brewer a shot.
You aint watching if you think Smith is the problem.
The O line ain't helping but Smith is just as bad.
Wait wut? First game back and the play calling has been crap. I expected a better game but I give him a pass for not having the last 2 games to get timing down with the WR's, who have also dropped balls.
BaylorProud77
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Assassin said:

RealLarryDon said:

Smith finishes the first half 6-19 for 84 yards. Just awful. Give Brewer a shot.
I dont think Smith is the problem. At least 5 drops that I can remember. And the INT wasnt on him - that was on Gavin Holmes
Ditto
OsoVerde
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We have to remember that Rhule brought his defensive staff from Temple but this O staff was cobbled together from different places. Rhule is going to have to make some staff changes if he wants to stay the coach.
Doc Holliday
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We need to start catching the damn ball.
CorsicanaBear
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The offense is not pinin'! Its passed on! This offense is no more! It has ceased to be! It's expired and gone to meet its maker! It's a stiff! Bereft of life, it rests in peace! If you hadn't trotted it on the field it'd be pushing up the daisies! Its metabolic processes are now 'istory! It's off the twig! It's kicked the bucket, It's shuffled off its mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisible!! THIS IS AN EX-OFFENSE!!!
Illigitimus non carborundum
Bear8084
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BEAR RAMMAGE said:

We need to start catching the damn ball.


Yup. Biggest problem so far.
EastTXBUBear
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I am a believer in Snow. Defense looks night and day better than week 1. A lot of improvement!
hOwley88
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REX said:

BU sucks
Fire Rhule
Thanks BOR
Bring back Briles

Thought I'd go ahead and get these out here so y'all can cut and paste in a little while
The fact that this is a thought and voiced is baffling... turn the page folks, move on, quit living in the past!
RioRata
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BearKamp said:

Wait...I thought Smith couldn't run the ball? I guess he can do both.

Probably the same people that said Nick Florence couldn't scoot either.
Pale Rider
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Assassin said:

RealLarryDon said:

Smith finishes the first half 6-19 for 84 yards. Just awful. Give Brewer a shot.
I dont think Smith is the problem. At least 5 drops that I can remember. And the INT wasnt on him - that was on Gavin Holmes
exactly
Pale Rider
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CorsicanaBear said:

The offense is not pinin'! Its passed on! This offense is no more! It has ceased to be! It's expired and gone to meet its maker! It's a stiff! Bereft of life, it rests in peace! If you hadn't trotted it on the field it'd be pushing up the daisies! Its metabolic processes are now 'istory! It's off the twig! It's kicked the bucket, It's shuffled off its mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisible!! THIS IS AN EX-OFFENSE!!!


You got it. Well done.
Oldbear83
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CorsicanaBear said:

The offense is not pinin'! Its passed on! This offense is no more! It has ceased to be! It's expired and gone to meet its maker! It's a stiff! Bereft of life, it rests in peace! If you hadn't trotted it on the field it'd be pushing up the daisies! Its metabolic processes are now 'istory! It's off the twig! It's kicked the bucket, It's shuffled off its mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisible!! THIS IS AN EX-OFFENSE!!!
You missed "The only reason Smith is upright, is because he's NAILED to the field"
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
Malbec
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Pale Rider said:

Assassin said:

RealLarryDon said:

Smith finishes the first half 6-19 for 84 yards. Just awful. Give Brewer a shot.
I dont think Smith is the problem. At least 5 drops that I can remember. And the INT wasnt on him - that was on Gavin Holmes
exactly
Six of those incompletions have been to avoid sacks, including one that saved two points on a bad snap over Smith's head into the endzone. Smith not getting enough help on the field or the sidelines.
Yogi
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Okie St. Scores again 56-14

Aggy Cajuns now tied at 21.
"Smarter than the Average Bear."
Yogi
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Duke's stadium could really use a tarp.
"Smarter than the Average Bear."
BearKamp
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Great running the ball again and again.
Oldbear83
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Rhule won't let Smith pass until 3rd and long.
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
Oldbear83
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Yogi said:

Duke's stadium could really use a tarp.
It's coming, courtesy of the Akbar School of Textiles
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
BearKamp
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Great call coach. 4th and Fail
Dia del DougO
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Hate hate hate hate hate the slow developing deep handoff on fourth.
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool."
RealLarryDon
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Nixon is horrific as an OC. The plays are all telegraphed.
Yogi
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***!!!!???
"Smarter than the Average Bear."
Yogi
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W. T. F.
"Smarter than the Average Bear."
DAC
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Wow
Dia del DougO
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Nice play by Mims drawing the foul.
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool."
merckywaters
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**** we are awful
#FreeCinque
Yogi
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S A D
"Smarter than the Average Bear."
Oldbear83
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Yogi said:

***!!!!???
Yeah, I wondered what Rhule was thinking. By now I have realized he sometimes does not bother to think, just asks himself "What would Steele do?"

That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
Yogi
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Embrace the Suck
"Smarter than the Average Bear."
Boatshoes
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...and ball game. 21-7.
 
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