Gameday Thread: Baylor (0-3) vs. #3 Oklahoma (3-0)

BAYLOR (0-3) vs #3 Oklahoma (3-0)

McLane Stadium | 5:30 P.m. CT | FS1

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BEARS STILL SEARCHING FOR FIRST WIN OF 2017

With Baylor's non-conference slate now complete, the Bears move into Big 12 play and are set to face the highest-ranked team they will see all season in No. 3 Oklahoma. Opposite of the first three games of the season for Matt Rhule's squad, the Sooners are coming off an impressive non-conference run, including a win over top-five Ohio State on the road.

The Bears, who wrapped up their three-game stretch outside of conference against Duke on Saturday, have seen noticeable progress on the defensive side of the ball, specifically in their ability to generate a pass rush and disruptive plays around the scrimmage. Sophomore linebackers Clay Johnston and Eric Ogor spearheaded the improvement, combining for 17 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and three quarterback hurries.

But if the Bears are to have a chance against the Sooners, it will be the offense that needs to take a massive leap forward after scoring an average of 15.0 points against their last two opponents. Quarterback Zach Smith and receivers Chris Platt and Denzel Mims showed their big play ability throughout the day, but consistency was not present as the offense only found one third-down conversion throughout the entirety of the game. 

Baylor receives a boost in the form of junior running back Terence Williams, Baylor's lead rusher from a year ago. Williams missed the first three games of the season after offseason shoulder surgery.

SIDENOTE STORYLINE

Baylor sees return of four more starters

For the third week in a row, Baylor will see the return of multiple starters to both the offense and defense. Joining Terence Williams on the offensive side of the ball, senior tight end Jordan Feuerbacher, a crucial piece in the blocking scheme and passing game for Baylor's offense, will return to the lineup after suffering a broken bone in his hand against Liberty in week one. 

On defense, Baylor sees the return of sophomore cornerback Grayland Arnold and senior safety Taion Sells. Arnold, who broke a bone in his wrist the week prior to Baylor's season opener, is considered the top corner on the team and arguably the best overall defender. Sells missed the first three games of Baylor's season due to suspension.

MATT RHULE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

On the leadership that he has seen during the course of a tough stretch...

“The level of accountability, leadership, and discipline on our team has just gone like this every week. It’s unbelievable. I like to watch parts of the game as a team afterward so everyone can see. What happens is, you start to lose and guys start saying, ‘you should get the ball to me more.’ On any team really. I like to watch it as a team, so we can say, ‘this is what we did right. This is what we did wrong.’ The whole team can be together. You see guys like Taylor Young, Davion Hall, Greg Roberts, Ira Lewis, all these guys on defense. Then on offense, you see guys like Chris Platt, guys like Mo Porter, Blake Blackmar, Zach Smith starting to emerge as leaders. Being a leader doesn’t mean that you’re perfect. Being a leader doesn’t mean you even played well. It just means that you hold yourself to a higher standard and you’re demanding the same standard from everyone else around you. That has not happened in the previous however many months I’ve been here, and it happened for the first time after this game, really at a high, high level. To me that’s really the most important thing to building a great program is developing player accountability and player discipline, and they are holding each other accountable. That was really nice to see for me.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jim Black RB, Terence Williams A 1,000-yard rusher as a sophomore in 2016, Williams returns to the field for the Bears for the first time in his junior year. The first test will be his toughest, but if Williams can find success against the Sooners, it could be a good sign for the remainder of the season.

SicEm365 CB, Grayland Arnold Arnold is one of four starters returning for Baylor against Oklahoma and, similar to Williams on offense, is one of the most important pieces for Baylor to take the next step as a defense. Arnold was called Baylor's best defensive player by Matt Rhule earlier in the week.

Jim Black C, Sam Tecklenburg If Baylor's offense wants to make the needed strides, Tecklenburg's progress as the starting center is crucial to their future success. With the return of Williams, some pressure will be relieved off the unit as a whole, but it's a must for the interior of the line to hold up.

Jim Black LB, Eric Ogor Baker Mayfield isn't going to break off many long runs as he is looking to get the ball down field on most occasions. That means a player like Ogor needs to be prepared to make a play on him without over pursuing. Ogor can get in the backfield, but making the play will be key.