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Baylor Football

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

September 16, 2017
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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)

111,986 Views | 708 Replies | Last: 7 yr ago by bunation
Boatshoes
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BearKamp said:

We just went thru the easiest part of our schedule and are about to remember we are in a Power 5 conference...
The good news is we only have a few more years to worry about that.
boognish_bear
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Oldbear83 said:

Down by 14 with 4:57 to go. Two seasons ago I'd have liked our chances.


There will be nothing open downfield and we will continue to not go underneath like we've done all year.
Yogi
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Michibear said:

Well, it's not over yet. Remember when we came back in the 4th quarter against TCU?

{takes another drink of favorite beverage.}
Remember when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor!!??
"Smarter than the Average Bear."
BearKamp
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Wikstr9 said:

Any guesses when we score our first points in Big 12 play? Can't see us sniffing the 50 vs OU.
Next year vs KU?
Doc Holliday
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Piss poor run by Zach with the trip over our own guy.

Get this kid out of here.
Oldbear83
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Baylor finally converted a 3rd down ...
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
Oldbear83
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Wheels, off.
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
BearInBigD
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How did our o-line regress so much since last year? Is every one of them new?
DAC
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Yogi said:

Have mercy on us, Lincoln Riley!!!!


Wasn't it decided on here that he was too young to be successful?
BearKamp
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End the game already...and this coaching staff.
Oldbear83
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That flag was 15 yards away from the play, no one calls holding in that condition except morons.

That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
Yogi
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OU can call its shot.
"Smarter than the Average Bear."
MilliVanilli
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EvilTroyAndAbed said:

Milli is loving this. The program is in shambles. What a joke we are.
A fantasy of your own creation, somehow endorsing regime change means hating the football program.

By that logic only apologizing for the obscene, profane and violating makes you invested in winning.
MilliVanilli
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BEAR RAMMAGE said:

Piss poor run by Zach with the trip over our own guy.

Get this kid out of here.
I thought this board said he was a savior of the season 24 hours ago?
Oldbear83
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Rhule is an idiot if he thought the refs would give him a first down by penalty in that situation
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
Boatshoes
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Tight end and fullback with trips right on 4th and 17? Tell me he isn't doing that.
Oldbear83
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Applemac_G4 said:

Tight end and fullback with trips right on 4th and 17? Tell me he isn't doing that.
He was trying to fool Duke. Instead, he fooled the Bears.
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
BillDauterive
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Yogi
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The obvious reason that Rhule keeps a badketball goal on the field is so we can be reminded that we have something to look forward to..
"Smarter than the Average Bear."
BearInBigD
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Are we really going to prolong the agony like this?
BaylorProud77
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Yogi said:

Have mercy on us, Lincoln Riley!!!!
lol, OU will show none. They are ready to roll and Boomer Sooner will be played constantly!I I'm going to the mall with the other lady bears.
Lin
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I'm having a flashback to 1968.
MilliVanilli
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BaylorProud77 said:

Yogi said:

Have mercy on us, Lincoln Riley!!!!
lol, OU will show none. They are ready to roll and Boomer Sooner will be played constantly!I I'm going to the mall with the other lady bears.
Would be nice to humble Mayfield, but alas this team likely will inflate his ego and stats when all is said and done.
Doc Holliday
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MilliVanilli said:

BEAR RAMMAGE said:

Piss poor run by Zach with the trip over our own guy.

Get this kid out of here.
I thought this board said he was a savior of the season 24 hours ago?


Shoot, I've been wanting to start Brewer since the offseason.
"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." ~ John Adams
RioRata
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BBWCBear said:

Can Jersey Boy forfeit the next six weeks, including the open date, BU will get humiliated even then. I just can't see any thing positive about this staff.

The line on open dated will open at -16.5
MilliVanilli
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BEAR RAMMAGE said:

MilliVanilli said:

BEAR RAMMAGE said:

Piss poor run by Zach with the trip over our own guy.

Get this kid out of here.
I thought this board said he was a savior of the season 24 hours ago?


Shoot, I've been wanting to start Brewer since the offseason.
Your foresight may be prophetic, we shall see.
Pale Rider
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I never thought i would ever see Baylor football like this again, ever,
Bearupnobly
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At least Rhule has not given up on the team!
RealLarryDon
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Meanwhile, Chad Morris, with significantly less talent than us, is leading TCU 13-7. Man, we whiffed when we didn't hire him.
Pale Rider
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Lin said:

I'm having a flashback to 1968.
And 1969, 70, and 71.
BillDauterive
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Pale Rider said:

I never thought i would ever see Baylor football like this again, ever,

Oldbear83
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It's looking like Vegas had a good crystal ball. Duke looks like they will sit on the ball and win by 14, pretty much as predicted,

Of course, if Rhule had wanted to win, things might have been different, but welcome to BOR football 2017.
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
BearKamp
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No way to pull sunshine out of your ass on this .... we are embarrassing and a joke.
EvilTroyAndAbed
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MilliVanilli said:

BEAR RAMMAGE said:

Piss poor run by Zach with the trip over our own guy.

Get this kid out of here.
I thought this board said he was a savior of the season 24 hours ago?


See, you are loving this. Such a troll.
Pale Rider
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BillDauterive said:

Pale Rider said:

I never thought i would ever see Baylor football like this again, ever,


Yep.
 
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