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GameDay Thread: Baylor (1-2) looks to rebound against TCU (1-3)

October 30, 2020
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With three weeks between games, Baylor returns to action with a home contest against the TCU Horned Frogs on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT in a game that will be aired on ESPN2. 


Baylor vs. TCU Primer

For the first time in 2020, Baylor will enter play a football game without significant absences from the starting line up and a large number of missing players from the depth chart. The Bears will also take the field with a full week of practice and game prep for the first time this season the entirety of the roster included. 

Most specifically, Baylor will see the return of starting left tackle Connor Galvin and starting center Xavier Newman who did not participate in a loss the Longhorns last Saturday. 

Baylor opened the season against Kansas without the services of current starting right guard Jake Burton and starting right tackle Blake Bedier as well as Newman who missed the game because of suspension. 

BU (1-2) enters the game with with a two-game losing streak, both of which came on the road at West Virginia in double overtime, 27-21, and at Texas last weekend, 27-16.

TCU (1-3) travels to waco with a two-game losing streak of their own with losses to Kansas State and Oklahoma that followed a 33-31 victory over Texas. The Horned Frogs also fell to Iowa State in their first game of the season. 

Baylor looks past drama of early week, strings together best week of practies

Looking back at this past weekend it’s fair to say Baylor football and its fanbase ran a gamut of emotions. There was the high of an official return to play, followed quickly by doubts and curiosity over how a team fresh off three weeks of a COVID outbreak would actually perform.

By Saturday evening, after a 27-16 loss to Texas, there was frustration and disappointment. 

It was Sunday evening, however, that provided the biggest jolt when SicEm365 reported running backs John Lovett and Trestan Ebner had plans to opt-out the remainder of the season.

SicEm365
John Lovett has led Baylor in rushing each of the previous three seasons.

This wasn’t just two random names on the roster. These were two of Baylor’s better players, and just as importantly, they were seniors, leaders and single-digit recipients. From day one as part of the 2017 recruiting class, Lovett and Ebner have played crucial roles in Baylor’s rise back from a time darkened by scandal, which is why the duo potentially leaving in this fashion, and before finishing what they started, came as such a shock. 

Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed and some honest, open communication led to both players sticking with the team, as Dave Aranda announced during Monday’s Big 12 teleconference.

“They’re both with us and we’re expecting them to play,” Aranda said. “I think it just speaks to the time that we’re in. Guys are dealing with a lot off the field and as coaches, we’re here for our players. It’s the most important thing for me and our staff." 

The trials and tribulations of this season have been well-documented.

Baylor has been hit with more than its fair share of setbacks and delays, only compounding the struggles for a team trying to learn a different way of doing things. While Aranda’s words came across positively towards his running back duo, that still left the room to wonder about how the rest of the team felt and what potential ramifications could have been created within the locker room. 

Linebacker Terrel Bernard arrived in Waco along with Lovett and Ebner, Charlie Brewer, and others as members of Matt Rhule’s first recruiting class. He knows what it’s like to go from 1-11 to 11-3 as well as anyone. On Wednesday, the team’s leader in sacks, tackles and tackles for loss, gave his thoughts on what unfolded earlier this week.

“I think really, it’s, nobody’s perfect,” Bernard said. “That’s the main thing. Tensions run high, especially when things aren’t going how we want and we’re not winning. But I think those guys have come back and we all had meetings, we’ve had full team meetings, individual meetings, and they’ve explained their side.” 

Newcomer Dillon Doyle said initially there was some confusion amongst the team when the original news broke on Sunday, but the matter had been addressed.

“Talking to those guys, there were personal things we hadn’t considered, and we’ve talked about it, moved on from it,” the Iowa transfer said Wednesday afternoon. 

Bernard also relayed his feelings after hearing from both players.

“They kind of came out and said what they were thinking and what happened and where they were wrong,” Bernard said. “And you know, we all came back and we all came together from it. I think it’s going to push us into this week and I know everybody’s put that behind us and we’re ready to go.” 

In fact, that push may already be occurring, as the team prepares to take their home field for the first time in over a month on Saturday versus rival TCU. 

“I think, as a team, we probably had our best practice of the year on Tuesday”, Doyle revealed. “It was a physical practice with a lot of energy. We term Tuesdays, ‘Competition Tuesdays’, and I think it was just that.

“We brought the energy and it was a lot of fun.” 

Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Terrel Bernard is averaging 13.3 tackles per game with 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one interceptions this season.

Doyle wasn’t alone in feeling that way as Bernard later echoed similar sentiments.

“Just the energy that we had on offense and defense. We came out there and it was like from the first snap, it was just competition,” Bernard said. “For us, it's a chance to compete and we're not really worried about anything else but making each other better. And that’s kind of what we came out there and did.” 

With reports in SicEm365’s Premium section that Wednesday’s practice was equally successful, it appears this team is reacting well so far to another bump in an already rocky road.

“You know, we’re moving on to TCU now,” Doyle said ahead of his first rivalry game against the Frogs. “It’s not about one guy and we’re focused on getting better as a team. I think we did that yesterday, which is our biggest priority.” 

Whether those practices translate into a meaningful win remains to be seen, but the Bears will also be moving forward with Lovett and Ebner in tow. 

"They both love our team, they love their teammates and we’re excited about our next opportunity here with TCU", said head coach Dave Aranda. 


Baylor vs. TCU Prediction

Written by Sam Bradshaw (S11)

Prediction?

Neither team is clicking on offense.   Baylor has been a revolving door of lineups and TCU has been spotty on the offensive line with a passing game that really hasn’t done much when an opponent doesn’t bust coverages or play prevent.   Neither team figures to have a big day offensively going against solid defenses with good personnel.

This is the third game in a row where Baylor probably loses one where they’d likely win if they had a similar amount of practice reps and conditioning.   TCU protects the ball, has a great kicking game and in a game where either team has skill guys who can take it the distance the Frogs get one more big play as Baylor’s lack of practice either costs Baylor a score or gives one away.

TCU 20, Baylor 13

 

Discussion from...

GameDay Thread: Baylor (1-2) looks to rebound against TCU (1-3)

50,647 Views | 672 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by BUBear24
Bexar Pitts
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BUbackerinET said:

Sneed had that guy beat - ball terribly under thrown
Correct. He had a step..Under thrown just enough for Froggie to make the play..
tpj1991
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Timbear said:

This O is better. Too little too late, but much improved in the 2nd half.
Not sure if this is enough for any positive in recruiting.
ImwithBU
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BUbackerinET said:

Sneed had that guy beat - ball terribly under thrown


Yep, his lack of arm strength has shown up quite a bit this game
Darth Melon
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Ah that's too bad. Thought Charlie had squirrel there on the fourth down play. Proud of these guys fighting after an abysmal first half. We need to play offense like this from the START of the game from now on.
Green&GoldStandard
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Should have gone with tempo on 4th and given the another dose of squirrel. TCU defense is looking gassed.
Michibear
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Let's not go for the moral victory here. C'mon, Bears. Get the W.
Thedaiyaankingg
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Wait a damn minute. Didn't we say this same **** last week? Tbh we need to NOT GO DOWN 30-0 in the first half.
boognish_bear
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coldhardtruth said:

I hope we can all agree that this team will continue to fight and play no matter what.


That is the most encouraging outcome of this second half. Very pleased to see the fight we showed when it would have been easy to mail it in.

I felt like Aranda was really gonna lose his players if it kept going like the first half.
DanaDane
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No offense whatsoever until late in the 3rd/early 4th at Austin, when UT's defense started thinking about parties that night with the ladies...........so our offense scores and everyone says, "We just need to do that next week!" without ever acknowledging it was basically because UT already had the game in hand was disinterested.

This week. No offense whatsoever until the 2nd half when TCU has the game in hand and the TCU D is thinking about parties tonight with the ladies. Our offense suddenly looks alive and everyone says, "Now the offense is ticking!" without ever acknowledging it was basically because TCU was disinterested.

So now the same folks will go into next week thinking this offense actually works, when we have 10 yards at halftime and trail Iowa State by 3 TD's........................

whitetrash
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Call the block in the back on the punt return and either the felony assault on Power or take out the phantom PI called from 30 yards away and we might have a totally different ball game.
Timbear
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Charlie is not the guy to score enough points. Weak arm, inaccurate, under thrown. Still probably less than 300 yards of total O. Only 23 points today. Everybody's going to be so glad we didn't get skunked, they'll lose sight of the big picture. 1 win season.
ImABearToo
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Zeno and Williams would be an nice combination. Big arm stretches the field and Williams gobbles up yards on the ground.
“Life is short, eat desert first!”
Michibear
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Well, crud.
Doc Holliday
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You can't play half a game and expect to win.
BBWCBear
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Aranda just needs to have the team watch Star Wars moments each day to motivate. We're gonna be fine. Squatting, legs crossed, hands in prayer position and Mmmmmmmmm...
Thedaiyaankingg
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Because of this little stint of good football Brewer is all of a sudden the chosen one. God I hate this team lol
PostGame
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look at the positive - basketball is starting soon
Doc Holliday
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BellorBear said:

look at the positive - basketball is starting soon
Honestly 2020 doesn't count imo
GruntTuff
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Players deserved better today. Horrible offensive game plan. The announcers got it. No reason to have Brewer mauled in a stupid drop back pass scheme guaranteed to fail.

Proud of the heart and character shown by the players.
Thedaiyaankingg
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This game certainly counts. No starters out and we went down 30-0. That says this team is the joke of the big 12 (except Kansas ofc lol)
Bexar Pitts
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Doc Holliday said:

BellorBear said:

look at the positive - basketball is starting soon
Honestly 2020 doesn't count imo
I still want my team ready to play. This team sleepwalked for the first 40 minutes of game time. Lots of outside distractions now , but they're distractions for every team. Baylor has to find 22 guys that go beyond full speed for 60 minutes. I think they can do that..I hope they can anyway. Sic 'Em
boognish_bear
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I'm still ready to see Zeno start the next game....which I doubt he will....but Charlie looked a little like the old Charlie in the second half. The protection got much better too....maybe TCU dialed back the pressure.
Gobearsone
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I hate this day, we suck the ****ing *****s might win and even ***gy will win. I am done.
ImABearToo
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Well Okie Lite got hosed on a reception call. Orange cow have refs in their pocket all the way up to Stillwater.
“Life is short, eat desert first!”
Gobearsone
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I hate the whorns and Aggy more than anything in life.
boognish_bear
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Sucks we could not get a win today. This conference has so much parity would've felt like we were still in play
EatMoreSalmon
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Doc Holliday said:

You can't play half a game and expect to win.


Or Coach half a game. Fedora is reevaluating the play calling again, I hope.
boognish_bear
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Dia del DougO
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If Baylor could just figure out a way to hypnotize both teams before each game into thinking that the score is 30-0 at kickoff Baylor might have an edge.
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool."
Dia del DougO
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ImABearToo said:

Well Okie Lite got hosed on a reception call. Orange cow have refs in their pocket all the way up to Stillwater.
Brutal overturn.
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool."
Gobearsone
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O please God let okie light beat whorn
boognish_bear
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DanaDane
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boognish_bear said:



So instead of a coach who's paid multi-millions and an OC probably paid close to a mil, we have a 5th string QB firing the team up?

More and more looking like a Kevin STEAL hire.
ImABearToo
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Well social distancing guidelines are out the window in stool water. Good for them. Wish other schools had some balls.
“Life is short, eat desert first!”
Bear8084
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boognish_bear said:

Sucks we could not get a win today. This conference has so much parity would've felt like we were still in play


If the offense plays a full game we can grab a few more wins. Everyone is beatable.
 
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