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Baylor Football

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

September 16, 2017
157,586

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)

112,128 Views | 708 Replies | Last: 7 yr ago by bunation
EasyE
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Telling. Had to take my kid to a birthday party at Main Event where they have the Aggy, Iowa State, UCLA games on TV but no Baylor.
BearKamp
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and we had off the ball so we can run right into a d lineman infront of us. Great Play Calling.
Oldbear83
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Applemac_G4 said:

MilliVanilli said:

merckywaters said:

just put him on ignore. I just did and it's great
Another CAB apologist gets triggered and retreats to a safe space and then publicly proclaims how safe they feel in their bunker now that they don't have to face rebuttal for asinine posts about CAB's innocence.
So, like we were saying...how many charges, how many convinctions?
Don't feed the cockroach
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
MilliVanilli
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Applemac_G4 said:

MilliVanilli said:

merckywaters said:

just put him on ignore. I just did and it's great
Another CAB apologist gets triggered and retreats to a safe space and then publicly proclaims how safe they feel in their bunker now that they don't have to face rebuttal for asinine posts about CAB's innocence.
So, like we were saying...how many charges, how many convinctions?
I can't make you join reality. You're 18 months into this obtuse argument and so far it's wielded you no fruit, just a lot of anger on the internet and the fanboying of a disgraced unemployable coach that's a pariah.
Yogi
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MilliVanilli said:

merckywaters said:

just put him on ignore. I just did and it's great
Another CAB apologist gets triggered and retreats to a safe space and then publicly proclaims how safe they feel in their bunker now that they don't have to face rebuttal for asinine posts about CAB's innocence.
Glad you know everything that happened, Jesus.

If only you would go to the DA's office, we could convict more of those bad dudes.

You are just as bad a person as CAB for covering up all these rapes and not going to the police with what you know.
"Smarter than the Average Bear."
Oldbear83
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Keeno said:

We will not win a game this year.
I knew that after we lost at home to Liberty
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
MilliVanilli
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Yogi said:

MilliVanilli said:

merckywaters said:

just put him on ignore. I just did and it's great
Another CAB apologist gets triggered and retreats to a safe space and then publicly proclaims how safe they feel in their bunker now that they don't have to face rebuttal for asinine posts about CAB's innocence.
Glad you know everything that happened, Jesus.

If only you would go to the DA's office, we could convict more of those bad dudes.

You are just as bad a person as CAB for covering up all these rapes and not going to the police with what you know.
Perhaps you should private message everyone your resume and proclaim how smart you are to us all by showing us your GPA as you liked to do in the past.

You're a riot.
BillDauterive
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EasyE said:

Telling. Had to take my kid to a birthday party at Main Event where they have the Aggy, Iowa State, UCLA games on TV but no Baylor.
I wish I didn't have Baylor on my TV.
Assassin
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Oldbear83 said:

Lot of mental mistakes. But that's only fair, since hiring Rhule was obviously the biggest mental mistake
Better save some of that venom. You have several years left of the Rhule era
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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Dayum, Galitz!!!
"Smarter than the Average Bear."
merckywaters
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Chanceux said:

STAFF - You boys get off your butts and put and end to this milli guy. I'm dadgum sick of it and everyone else is too.
that might help explain why the premium thread is 3x more active than this one
#FreeCinque
chukronos
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Could use a turnover here.
DAC
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Yogi said:

Dayum, Galitz!!!


Good gosh
boognish_bear
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Maybe if we can keep this under the 13pt betting line we can claim moral victory.

That'll be worth a LT dunk for everybody back in the locker room.
BylrFan
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We paid Rhule 1 million to lose the first three games.
Yogi
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I will be ecstatic if we win a game this year.

There will be a celebration of epic proportions.
"Smarter than the Average Bear."
BillDauterive
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Back to the days where the punter is our best player on the field.
BearInBigD
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Oldbear83 said:

Keeno said:

We will not win a game this year.
I knew that after we lost at home to Liberty
OldBear, what's the consensus on the premium game thread? Lots of sunshine pumping or do they have a modicum of reality about what we're seeing?
Quinton
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EasyE said:

Telling. Had to take my kid to a birthday party at Main Event where they have the Aggy, Iowa State, UCLA games on TV but no Baylor.
Thats a good thing. We went from the most entertaining team in the country to one of the most unwatchable.
merckywaters
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how bad will Land Thieves game be?
#FreeCinque
MilliVanilli
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Chanceux said:

STAFF - You boys get off your butts and put and end to this milli guy. I'm dadgum sick of it and everyone else is too.
They're literate, and well aware of how triggered you are, not to worry.

They think you're as ridiculous as all non CAB apologists do.
BearKamp
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merckywaters said:

how bad will Land Thieves game be?
You ever seen the movie Deliverance?
Chanceux
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MilliVanilli said:

Chanceux said:

STAFF - You boys get off your butts and put and end to this milli guy. I'm dadgum sick of it and everyone else is too.
They're literate, and well aware of how triggered you are, not to worry.

They think you're as ridiculous as all non CAB apologists do.
Quit !@#$ing up game threads you gotdanged moron!

Trust me. You're a goner.
BaylorProud77
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BillDauterive said:

EasyE said:

Telling. Had to take my kid to a birthday party at Main Event where they have the Aggy, Iowa State, UCLA games on TV but no Baylor.
I wish I didn't have Baylor on my TV.
well you do, so we just have to suck it up or turn the channel
Oldbear83
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BearInBigD said:

Oldbear83 said:

Keeno said:

We will not win a game this year.
I knew that after we lost at home to Liberty
OldBear, what's the consensus on the premium game thread? Lots of sunshine pumping or do they have a modicum of reality about what we're seeing?
Most have a wait & see attitude, they correctly noted last week that the defense had improved a lot, and we're seeing proof of it this week against Duke. So far not much to say on offense, I think due to lack of experience. There has not been a lot of success to point to, for signs of development.
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
Doc Holliday
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Zach sucks and he's slow.
merckywaters
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welp
#FreeCinque
Oldbear83
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BearKamp said:

merckywaters said:

how bad will Land Thieves game be?
You ever seen the movie Deliverance?
Yeah, we get to be Ned Beatty's character.
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
BillDauterive
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BearKamp said:

merckywaters said:

how bad will Land Thieves game be?
You ever seen the movie Deliverance?

HarvillProfs
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Yogi said:

Dayum, Galitz!!!
There have been some bright spots; he's definitely one of them.
The Professor(s)
SicEm!
chukronos
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Dang
Team America
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Ball game
Oldbear83
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No line protection, no chance.
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
greggor25
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Back to being irrelevant again!
Boatshoes
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merckywaters said:

how bad will Land Thieves game be?
Well, whatever else happens I can guarantee they won't actually steal the stadium.
 
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