In The Web: What "They" are Saying About Baylor in Week 1
Baylor and head coach Dave Aranda could be looking at their final clean slate to work with heading into the 2024 season. After a disappointing 2023 campaign in which the Bears finished 3-9, Aranda overhauled his staff again and addressed some roster deficiencies through the transfer portal.
Arguably, Baylor's biggest addition was starting quarterback Dequan Finn (6Sr.), who came to Waco after an impressive career with Toledo. During his time with the Rockets, Finn threw for 7,070 yards and 63 touchdowns while rushing for 1,836 yards and 25 touchdowns.
According to PFF, Finn is currently ranked as the 40th-best quarterback out of all 70 Power Four programs behind two former Baylor quarterbacks, Blake Shapen (39) and Kyron Drones (28). That ranks him 11th best in the Big 12 by PFF’s metrics.
Last season, Baylor wasn’t able to take advantage of their favorable scheduling, which blessed the Bears with eight games in the friendly confines of McLane Stadium. The lone home victory for Baylor came in Week 3 against FCS foe Long Island, 30-7, but the Sharks held the momentum in that game early on before a storm forced a delay that allowed Baylor to regroup.
In 2024, Baylor will have six opportunities to win on the Brazos. It won’t be easy by any means with preseason No. 17 Oklahoma State and No. 22 Kansas rolling into town, plus arch-rival TCU. According to Kelly Ford Rankings schedule difficulty, Baylor has the sixth most difficult schedule in the Big 12 and the 33rd most difficult schedule in the nation.
As that difficult schedule unfolds throughout the season, Baylor will have to avoid trap games while also being the trap game opponent for a few Big 12 brethren. According to Bryan Clinton of Heartland College Sports, the Bears could find themselves in this situation on four different occasions in 2024.
Clinton believes Baylor’s only trap game opportunity, which they must be aware of, is on Sep. 28, when they host BYU. He believes the five-game stretch heading into this matchup could make the Bears a little vulnerable.
On the flip side, Clinton sees Baylor as a potential spoiler for Texas Tech on Oct. 19, West Virginia on Nov. 16, and Houston on Nov. 23.
The Bears will look to get off to a 1-0 record on Saturday as they play host to the Texans of Tarleton (1-0), who earned their first victory last week against McNeese State, 26-23, in a game that was their first ever played on linear television.
Kickoff this weekend is set for 6:00 p.m. on Saturday at McLane Stadium and will be streamed on ESPN+.