Story Poster
Photo by Jim Black
Baylor Football

Gameday Thread: Baylor (0-4) at Kansas State (2-1)

September 29, 2017
160,802

BAYLOR (0-4) at Kansas State (2-1)

Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium | 2:30 p.m. CT | ESPN2

Depth Chart | Class Breakdown | Schedule | Big 12 Standings | Baylor Staff | Baylor Roster


BEARS STILL SEARCHING FOR FIRST WIN OF 2017

Obvious improvement and competitive games have been the name of the game for the Bears last two weeks, but the Bears are hoping a game against Kansas State will be the breakthrough point for the season. During their last two trips to Manhattan, the Bears have escaped with a win, including a 31-24 victory in 2015 and a 35-25 victory in 2013.

The difference is, however, the Bears took the No. 15 and No. 6-ranked teams in the country to the Little Apple on each of those two occasions, including a 2013 team that won the Big 12 championship. This time around the Bears are 0-4 and considered one of the worst Power 5 programs in the country.

If the Bears are able to escape with a victory and avoid a blowout loss, or even a dreaded moral victory, it will only continue their upward trend they have seen over three-game streak that started with a 17-10 loss to UTSA in the second week of the season. The Bears have held a large amount of momentum in the second half of games against Duke and Oklahoma the last two weeks only to see it evaporate late.

Following a week off, Kansas State's outing in week three resulted in a 14-7 loss on the road against Vanderbilt where the Wildcats totaled 277 total yards, but only allowed a total of 270 yards to the Commodores.


SIDENOTE STORYLINE

Zach Smith looks to stay on track

For the first time in his career as a starting quarterback, Baylor sophomore Zach Smith went an entire game without an interception against No. 3 Oklahoma last Saturday. In turn, the Bears stuck around with the Sooners and were within a possession of tying the contest in the final minutes of the game.

In six career starts, Smith has averaged 330 yards passing per game and tossed 18 touchdown passes. It was the interceptions, 10 of them to be exact, the held Smith back through the first five games.

Facing a Kansas State team that will look to confuse Smith in coverage and then play keep-away on offense, it is crucial for the second-year quarterback to protect the football and play a game of keep away of his own.

In 2016, Smith received the first start of his career against the Wildcats. Then a true freshman, Smith completed 27-of-45 passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns to give the Bears a 14-7 at halftime, but three second-half interceptions were his undoing and the Bears dropped the contest 42-21.

Kansas State running back Alex Barnes rushed for 129 yards and scored four touchdowns on 19 carries to lead the Wildcats to 237 yards rushing and six rushing touchdowns in the victory.


MATT RHULE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

On balancing a loss to Oklahoma with some positive momentum...

“I mean that’s why I treat wins and losses the same. There’s truth behind all of it. There are some things we got better at, and there are some things we got a lot worse at. We’re not tackling on defense. If we tackle, we might’ve won the football game. I can tell you this, the coaches on defense and the players on defense are not walking out feeling like they went toe to toe on the field. Either guys are making a decision not to do their job, or we’re getting out-physicaled away from winning the football game. And the offensive line can’t be happy right now, rushing for 60 yards. And the backs can’t be either. I think the way we process is to everyday look at what you’re doing right, what you’re doing wrong, and try to get better at it. We have not played to our capabilities yet, and we won’t all year. We’ll continue to get better and better and better, but there’s something always out there we can get. I want them to feel good about that we played a little better on offense. We didn’t play a little better on defense. We played better against Duke than we did against Oklahoma. We just have to keep pushing ourselves forward, and when we win, I’ll still be the same way. I’ll say “we’re still not doing this right, but we’re doing this better,” and just trying to keep moving the team forward.”


PLAYERS TO WATCH

 
Jim Black

When Baylor lost one of its two most productive receivers in Chris Platt, Matt Rhule identified Pooh Stricklin as the receiver who would step into the role left behind by the Speedster. Stricklin caught six passes for 85 yards against Oklahoma last Saturday.

Jim Black
Taylor Young got to Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield twice last week, but facing a run-first, slow-paced KSU offense, Young will need to find his success as close to the line of scrimmage as possible to keep the Wildcats in long to-go distances.
Jim Black
Baylor has struggled with giving up big plays the last two weeks and the primary concern comes with the safeties not finishing the play given the chance. Taion Sells returned against Oklahoma and showed he still doesn't have an issue playing with contact. It will be key Saturday.
Jim Black
After receiving 11 carries against Oklahoma, Terence Williams should be ready to receive a larger workload against Kansas State, taking the No. 1 role ahead of John Lovett. If Williams can help Baylor control the clock, Baylor's chances to earn a victory improve greatly.

 

Discussion from...

Gameday Thread: Baylor (0-4) at Kansas State (2-1)

109,933 Views | 710 Replies | Last: 7 yr ago by Dia del DougO
Pale Rider
How long do you want to ignore this user?
chukronos said:

A whole lotta *** going on. This coaching staff is in over their head.

Yep breaking my confidence big time.
Pathetic.
BERFAN
How long do you want to ignore this user?
We may have another Ray Guy award winner this week!!!! Yea Team!!!
Jacques Strap
How long do you want to ignore this user?
ToiletDucky said:

3rd and 21 and that's what you call!?!!? Are you kidding me!?
At least toss it long and hole for a PI call.
DAC
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Chanceux said:

Playing Brewer unless Smith is hurt is the worst call of this dadgum game. I'm not sure our coaching staff has any dadgum idea what they're doing.

Brewer had a **** ton of community service hours this week
SIC EM 94
How long do you want to ignore this user?
I can't wait to hear Fhule's reasoning for putting Brewer in the game!
Squatch Hunter
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Awesome....just....awesome. there is so much suck on the field that I cannot focus my critique.
cowboycwr
How long do you want to ignore this user?
DAC said:

Chanceux said:

Playing Brewer unless Smith is hurt is the worst call of this dadgum game. I'm not sure our coaching staff has any dadgum idea what they're doing.

Brewer had a **** ton of community service hours this week


I heard he also slept in the office
atkron195
How long do you want to ignore this user?
I think I'm going to see if my wife will shave my back.
RealLarryDon
How long do you want to ignore this user?
They were putting tape or some kind of wrap on Zach's non throwing hand on the sideline. That may be why Brewer came in, although you'd think they would just take a timeout or have Lynch take a snap.
BearlyConscious
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Chanceux said:

Garbage calls on offense? Muy.
Defense line getting lit up? Muy.
Special teams getting blown up? Muy.

All three phases.
Dont forget the penalties too...
BillDauterive
How long do you want to ignore this user?

gobears20
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Staff
This is really starting to feel like the Steele times and I thought we were done with that crap.
BearKamp
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Rhule and Co are crap right now. Feel bad for these kids. Let em play damnit
CutTheTVoff
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Frustrating to have such good skill players on our team but they've been neutered by piss poor scheme
DAC
How long do you want to ignore this user?
atkron195 said:

I think I'm going to see if my wife will shave my back.


Lmao
greggor25
How long do you want to ignore this user?
SIC EM 94 said:

I can't wait to hear Fhule's reasoning for putting Brewer in the game!
He will be proud of his guys.
80sBEAR
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Bring Back Kevin Steele!!!!!!!!!!
"This is not an institution of football."
-- Dr. David Garland
chukronos
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Pale Rider said:

chukronos said:

A whole lotta *** going on. This coaching staff is in over their head.

Yep breaking my confidence big time.
Pathetic.


I'm surprised that double-u tee eff was blocked out on this site. Why the face is a bad thing?
gobears20
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Staff
Lololol
RealLarryDon
How long do you want to ignore this user?
I remember when I used to be excited at the thought of the first playoff poll.
BearKamp
How long do you want to ignore this user?
atkron195 said:

I think I'm going to see if my wife will shave my back.

You win the internet today. HaHa
Flex
How long do you want to ignore this user?
I don't even know what's happening.

Last week it looked like they were just going to let Smith sling the rock. Now we're back to the first 3 games of absolutely no distinguishable offensive plan what so ever.
DeepNtheHeartBU
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Rhule = clueless how to play in the Big 12
Pale Rider
How long do you want to ignore this user?
atkron195 said:

I think I'm going to see if my wife will shave my back.


Better to have her wax everything.
Jacques Strap
How long do you want to ignore this user?
RealLarryDon said:

They were putting tape or some kind of wrap on Zach's non throwing hand on the sideline. That may be why Brewer came in, although you'd think they would just take a timeout or have Lynch take a snap.
Or one of the walks ons. If that indeed was the reason then stupid hit a new level.
greggor25
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Will Grobe come back and coach this team seriously?
Doc Holliday
How long do you want to ignore this user?
You can't win big12 football unless you're aggressive.

We are not.
303Bear
How long do you want to ignore this user?
The scheme is so chaotic the players don't even know what is happening on a given play
BearKamp
How long do you want to ignore this user?
We could've rehired Steele if we wanted this crap play.
BaylorProud77
How long do you want to ignore this user?
303Bear said:

The scheme is so chaotic the players don't even know what is happening on a given play
so aweful!
Jacques Strap
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Imagine the score if KSU was playing well. They've turned it over, had penalties and dropped 3rd down passes to keep us in this game.
Pale Rider
How long do you want to ignore this user?
303Bear said:

The scheme is so chaotic the players don't even know what is happening on a given play

No clue whatsoever.
hodedofome
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Flex said:

I don't even know what's happening.

Last week it looked like they were just going to let Smith sling the rock. Now we're back to the first 3 games of absolutely no distinguishable offensive plan what so ever.


100% right here

It's because Rhule can't pass up the chance to play B1G football.
Quinton
How long do you want to ignore this user?
I just came in and the first play of this game I see is Brewer playing in two pointless plays. Is Smith hurt? He came right in on third down and seemed okay. Please say this guy didn't throw in Brewer for two pointless plays. Smith's stats look fine.
303Bear
How long do you want to ignore this user?
That pretty well sums up the season lol

Might not stand though
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.