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Gameday Thread: Baylor vs. #23 West Virginia

October 21, 2017
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BAYLOR (0-6) vs. #23 West Virginia (4-2)

McLane Stadium | 7 p.m. CT | FS1/FS2

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


BEARS RETURN HOME FOR FIRST TIME IN A MONTH

Prior road trips to the north to face Kansas State and Oklahoma State with a week off sandwiched in between, the Baylor football team last played a home game against Oklahoma on the weekend of Sept. 23. The Bears have only played one home game in the last six weeks.

But now they are back in Waco getting ready to face their third top 25 opponent in the last four games with No. 23 West Virginia, a team flying high as they come to town following an emotional come-from-behind victory over Texas Tech last weekend.

The short trip across the Brazos River is a much-needed reprieve for Bears who are looking to exchange some excitement in the stands for some additional energy on the field.

“It’s really nice to be home,” freshman running back Trestan Ebner said. “You know, playing in front of your home crowd, it makes us want to play harder especially with it being Homecoming. We just want to come in and do good for Baylor. We just want to play hard and win at home.”

A win for Baylor at home on Saturday would be the first in over year. The last came in Baylor’s 2016 Homecoming game, a 49-7 victory over Kansas on Oct. 15. Since then, Baylor has lost 12-consecutive regular-season games, including five-straight at McLane Stadium, a massive difference from the 19-straight games Baylor won at home 2012-2015.

Finding a win over WVU wouldn’t undo the early-season losses that are still looming, but it would provide more than a glimmer of hope for the future. It would also provide a stepping stone for the mental state of the players.


SIDENOTE STORYLINE

Big recruiting weekend taking place for Bears...

Baylor will host a large number of visitors for the game against West Virginia on Saturday, including four-star quarterback Gerry Bohanon‍ (Earle, AR/Earle) and the majority of their 2018 recruiting class. 

"I’m excited for us to bring a ton of recruits here this Saturday, and I want them to see what Baylor football and Baylor University and Baylor Nation is all about. I had one of the best recruits at the Oklahoma game say to me that seeing our crowd stand up and cheer for this team after losing—that outpouring of emotion and support for our time after a tough time—meant a lot to him. That’s what this is all about to me. We’re going through this tough time, but these players did not bring about this tough time. But they’re going through it. And they’re going through it in a tough way and they’re fighting through it. So I hope that everyone shows up there just to say 'hey, we love you and support you,' because that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to show up and fight our tails off."

BAYLOR vs. WEST VIRGINIA LIST OF VISITORS (PREMIUM)

2018 BAYLOR FOOTBALL COMMITMENT LIST


MATT RHULE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

On the team continuing to battle even with the losses...

"I said it after the game; these kids are unbelievably mentally tough. They’ve been through a lot, and they continue to fight and scratch and claw, and I’m proud of those guys that go out and represent us on Saturdays. I hope our fans come out and cheer for our kids. I hope our fans go to the Bear Walk and slap those kids on the back, because those kids, even in the last two weeks, have endured a lot, and continue to show up and represent their school with pride.

"I’m taking the whole team to the Homecoming Pep Rally on Friday night. I want them to see all the people that believe in them and support them and believe in Baylor. I want our recruits to see that if this is what it’s like when things are tough, imagine what it’s going to be like when things are great. If this is what it’s like when things are down, imagine the support you’re going to get when things are great. So, I think it’s a tremendous opportunity this weekend in recruiting, and it’s a tremendous opportunity for our players, and I’m hopeful that we can go out and compete at a high level."


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jim Black
Taion Sells

Baylor's safety play has been abysmal for the majority of the season. Though it's not the only issue, the big plays could have been shut down with solid tackling in the secondary. Taion Sells needs to be a consistent tackler for the Bears at the second level against WVU's wide-open offense.

Jim Black
JaMycal Hasty

It looks as though freshmen John Lovett will miss Saturday, leaving an open door for sophomore JaMycal Hasty to continue his way back to getting reps after returning from injury. An explosive day for Hasty means the Bears found a running game once again.

Jim Black
Zach Smith

Zach Smith has been on or off since becoming Baylor's starting quarterback, but a return home should help the sophomore get more comfortable in his role. Baylor has struggled converting third downs to extend drives and Smith will need to do that with his arm on Saturday.

Jim Black
Offensive Line

With Baylor down to one of their top three receivers, the running game will once again be called upon to help the offensive stay on pace. If the offensive line finds their rhythm against the worst rush defense the Bears will face the rest of the season, and can keep Zach Smith standing up, the offense should settle in nicely.

 

 
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