On Monday, head coach Dave Aranda held his weekly press conference following Baylor's (6-4, 4-3) first win in Morgantown over West Virginia (5-5, 4-3). He discussed earning bowl eligibility, things to improve on and what to expect from Houston this weekend.
We're A Completely Different Team
After Baylor's 49-35 win on Saturday over West Virginia, the Bears officially clinched bowl eligibility for the first time since 2022. When asked how gratifying reaching a bowl game is, head coach Dave Aranda talked at length about how much his team has had to overcome since starting the year 2-4.
"There's a bunch of dudes here that have just been through a lot of adversity, pressure and disappointment," he said. "I think anytime you go through that, the easiest thing to do is to quit, just to walk away from it and [ask], 'Why am I doing this?'"
He added to that, saying, "Having not done that, and to continue to fight through — I think of offensive linemen in that regard, particularly now that they have success and have the tables turned, or you have flipped the tables. I think that's pretty cool. To have another game and to celebrate all that's pretty neat."
Aranda credits the toughness of this year's squad to the emphasis on "ball" that was placed as early as December and January. Throughout the various ups and downs this season, Aranda's squad has never shown any quit.
"We're a completely different team, and I'm probably a different person because of that emphasis," he said. "I think you're seeing the results of it."
Despite going 3-9 last fall, Aranda was retained for a fifth season and allowed to prove himself. He was on the hot seat entering the year but needed to get to a bowl game to secure a sixth season.
With two games remaining, the Bears have already won six games, and after Saturday's victory, it was officially announced that Aranda would be returning to Waco for a sixth season.
"The [administration] has had my back the whole way," Aranda said. "This is a special job because you're way supported, and there's great leadership. I'm blessed."
It's A Fight To Get Better By An Inch
For the second time in the last month — Texas Tech and West Virginia — the Bears allowed a garbage-time touchdown to make the scoreboard appear closer than it truly was, leaving Aranda unsatisfied in the post-game press conference.
Baylor is still looking for improvement in the secondary, but Aranda noted that "you are who you are" at this point in the season. It's not that the Bears aren't trying to improve; it's more that success isn't always linear, and Aranda is still trying to teach his team the little things.
"You'd like to get better by leaps and bounds and miles and miles, but it's a fight to get better by an inch," he said. "It's a straight fight … I wish that it would be way prettier than what it is, but you got a new baby, and it's an ugly baby. You have to love it nonetheless."
Against West Virginia, Baylor struggled to defend the quarterback run, in particular. Garrett Greene (Sr.) rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.
With the Bears set to face dual-threat quarterbacks in the final two weeks — Houston's Zeon Chriss (So.) and Kansas' Jalon Daniels (RJr.) — the Bears must find a way to improve in that regard.
"With what we've put on tape versus the quarterback run, these next two weeks, that's all we're going to see," Aranda said. "What you ask for, you're going to get it. It's coming Saturday with Houston, for sure."
Despite the four-game winning streak, the Bears have also struggled to defend the pass. Over the last month, opposing quarterbacks have averaged 310 yards per game against Baylor.
The secondary suffered a big blow this past week as starting defensive back Carl Williams IV (So.) injured his knee during practice on Wednesday.
"He's having surgery on his Mencius," Aranda said. "Hopefully, we'll have him for the bowl game. The depth there is being tested."
Corey Gordon (RSo.) started in Williams' place against West Virginia and sealed the game with a fourth-quarter interception and five tackles.
"He makes plays when there's an opportunity to make plays," Aranda said of Gordon.
The Bears are also still without defensive back Kendrick Simpkins (5Sr.), who hasn't played since Sept. 21 against Colorado.
When asked if Simpkins or other players — tight end Kelsey Johnson (Jr.) and linebacker JaQues Evans (5Sr.) — will be checking into medical redshirts and returning next season, Aranda said that he wasn't sure yet and noted, "Those discussions still have to be made in terms of what next year's roster looks like."
It'll Be A Tough Opponent
Baylor will look to extend its winning streak to five games this weekend against the Houston Cougars (4-6, 3-4) at TDECU Stadium this Saturday at 6 p.m. on FS1. If the Bears earn the victory, it'll be Baylor's longest win streak since 2019.
"There's some good energy and confidence right now with our team," Aranda said. "They see the challenge ahead with a really strong Houston team. Defensively, particularly their front, is probably the best that we've played or that we're going to play."
There's no reason to underestimate the Cougars, however. Houston is still fighting for bowl eligibility in its first season under head coach Willie Fritz. Despite a slow start to the fall, the Cougars have knocked off TCU, Utah and No. 17 Kansas State in conference play.
Aranda is ensuring that the Bears don't overlook the "dangerous" Cougars now that bowl eligibility has been clinched.
"With it being a night game, I know it's going to be a tough opponent," he added. "Our guys see that from the beginning, so we'll be prepared for that."
Aranda mentioned how much he respects Fritz and the job that he's done so far at Houston. He went on to say that the Big 12 is arguably one of the toughest conferences in the country, not necessarily because of top-end talent, but because of the quality of coaching at every school.
"The coaching in our league is as strong as any other league; I'd put our coaching versus any league," Aranda said. "[Fritz] has done a great job. … You can tell the guys believe and that they have fundamentally improved as the year has gone on."
