Baylor takes the sector earlier than taking part in BYU on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Waco, Texas. The 2 groups will sq. off once more this Saturday, however this time on the Cougars’ dwelling discipline. Ron Jenkins, Related Press
The Baylor problem looms massive for Kalani Sitake and his No. 21-ranked Cougars. In BYU’s final hurrah as an impartial, this stage is made for the second.
An impartial can’t win a convention championship. Its hopes, desires and fame have to return from taking part in efficiently in video games just like the one Saturday in opposition to the defending Huge 12 champs, a top-10 soccer group.
Subsequent week at Oregon doesn’t matter, nor does the upcoming journey to Las Vegas in opposition to the famed Notre Dame Golden Domers and even Arkansas.
What issues is what’s subsequent. And up Saturday is a good alternative to get Baylor in Provo in LaVell Edwards Stadium at 4,500 ft.
In Waco final 12 months, BYU got here to Huge 12 territory in fairly fine condition offensively, however the protection that had confronted and succeeded in opposition to Arizona and Arizona State had begun to interrupt down with accidents. Whereas the “group” went on to win over P5 groups Washington State, USC and Virginia, it was a little bit of smoke and mirrors on protection.
That would be the focus for BYU’s protection — being extra stout, extra bodily, extra able to dealing with Baylor’s skilled offensive line and run assault.
After the final recreation with the Bears, BYU coach Kalani Sitake informed the group it merely wanted to get greater and stronger within the offseason. It’s been a objective of Sitake’s since he took over from Bronco Mendenhall in 2016.
“Even after the bowl recreation final 12 months, I bear in mind Kalani coming as much as me and saying that I wanted to be greater and stronger,” mentioned Cougars defensive lineman Lorenzo Fauatea. “That went for the entire O line and D line. We did have to get greater and stronger and I believe we've performed that. Josh Larsen is powerful, he is without doubt one of the strongest guys on the group. Caden Haws is powerful. On each side of the ball, all people seems to be higher, feels higher and is taking part in higher.”
If BYU gamers did not enlarge their private house and add muscle, it'll floor within the subsequent two weeks.
Blake Freeland, the All-America candidate at offensive deal with for BYU, is aware of one of the simplest ways to measure that enchancment is go proper at Baylor’s protection in a pushing match.
“I bear in mind they're a very good protection. I believe this 12 months we have to run the ball higher than we did. That begins up entrance. I believe we've lots to show simply going up in opposition to a superb defensive position.”
For the Bears, they know the Cougars return a veteran offense led by quarterback Jaren Corridor.
Baylor head coach Dave Aranda mentioned on Monday the factor that stands out in regards to the Cougars is the variety of veteran, skilled gamers the Cougars placed on the sector and the truth that they play very bodily, with dimension.
“It’s an old-school type of soccer,” mentioned Aranda. “It’s fairly cool and will probably be a problem for us.”
Sitake mentioned Aranda’s program is the usual within the Huge 12, which implies Saturday can be a measuring stick for the place his program is one 12 months from having to play a Huge 12 schedule.
He’s excited for the problem.
Since everybody is worked up for the problem, what do we've right here?
Properly, BYU has a possibility to advance within the rankings and achieve confidence in what's the nation’s thirteenth hardest schedule. The Bears wish to validate its top-10 standing.
This recreation can be received within the trenches, the place massive our bodies will collide over and over. It will likely be tough, will probably be robust, will probably be strenuous and take plenty of vitality.
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Baylor’s blockers embrace 4 of 5 starters returning for offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes and his OL coach he introduced from BYU, Eric Mateos. This group is the muse of the complete group, led by Conner Galvin, the Huge 12 offensive lineman of the 12 months who's in his fifth 12 months at left deal with — Baylor’s model of BYU’s Freeland.
The return of Grimes and Mateos can be an fascinating problem for BYU’s protection. They’re each gurus, hog Yodas. They made a giant contribution to BYU soccer within the a number of seasons they had been in Provo in Grimes Half II with Sitake.
Then again, the Bears protection will face a way more savvy offensive chief in Corridor, who has loads of weapons to essentially problem the Baylor protection. If BYU can set up the run early, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick will be capable to deploy a good finish and receiver assault that may give Baylor a number of complications.
“He’s a fantastic play-action quarterback,” mentioned Aranda. “He’ll be one of many higher ones we play this 12 months. He’s spectacular within the selections he makes, the throws he makes and the throws he doesn’t make.”
Should you can imagine Las Vegas, the Cougars are a slight favourite to win this recreation. A part of that reasoning could also be that the Cougars are at dwelling and Baylor’s offensive line is obstructing for some expertise in Taye McWilliams, however they’ll miss Abrams Smith, who damage BYU massive time a 12 months in the past.
Craig Williams may very well be a harmful runner for the Bears. BYU should decelerate McWilliams and Williams or will probably be a really lengthy night time.
Baylor’s receivers usually are not tremendously skilled outdoors of sixth-year senior Gavin Holmes.
Search for Grimes to load the field with six or seven blockers and go proper at BYU’s defensive position.
As for the Cougars, search for loads of 12 and 13 personnel with three tight ends in myriad formations as Roderick may also put loads of blockers in place to wrestle Bears.
This can be trench warfare at its finest.
Cougars on the air
No. 9 Baylor (1-0) at No. 21 BYU (1-0)
Saturday, 8:15 p.m. MDT
LaVell Edwards Stadium
Provo, Utah
TV: ESPN
Radio: KSL Newsradio 102.7 FM/1160 AM