FanPost

One Thing Leads to Another

Despite the early bye weeks, you have to love how this season has allowed our team to build experience and momentum. Each week we've faced a new and improved challenge that has allowed the Bears to implement their system in ways that enhanced our reputation as "a well-oiled blitzkrieg of murderous efficiency" (according to our friends at the Smoking Musket).

Wofford (damn you, SMU): despite our early, old-Baylor fears, the Terriers weren't much of a challenge, but that's ok. We were able to introduce Petty to the world without asking too much of him in the process. Remember all the wide receiver screens (and that one really questionable pass over the middle?). The game allowed the OLine to mesh and it suggested (in what will be an ongoing theme) that our defensive backs might not be quite where we wanted them to be. At the same time, triple option teams expose undisciplined opponents, and our defense demonstrated that they could play smart, physical football.

Buffalo: We expected, and received, a step up in the challenge from the Bulls. We knew they had a nasty linebacker in Khalil Mack and soon came to rue every pass thrown in the general direction of Alex Neutz. Once again, however, we saw Petty add to his repertoire of throws as he shredded the Bull's defensive backfield. The OLine appeared to be completely in sync, protecting Petty, neutralizing Mack, and opening huge running lanes for our backs. The run defense looked stifling, but once again the dbacks struggled, leaving us with serious questions about their ability to handle elite receivers and efficient quarterbacks in Big XII play.

ULM: Now, people said, Baylor will get a bit of a challenge. ULM gave us fits in 2012 and appeared to be a clear upgrade from Buffalo. ULM's offense did indeed challenge us in the first half. Browning and company marched into the redzone four times in the first thirty minutes, leaving us to complement Bennett's troops for their "bend-but-don't-break" (bbdb) routine. Frankly, I'm tired of the bbdb plan, especially against the likes of the Warhawks. We can bbdb against OU or TU or even TCU, but not ULM. A more hopeful sign was the two defensive scores. I'll take an opportunistic defense over a bbdb defense every day of the week.

On the other hand, we all drank deep of the green and gold elixir that is Baylor's offense. Many of us, I think, were wowed by the Wofford explosion, but one data point does not a trend make. Add Buffalo and we have something brewing. Annihilate ULM and the trend is established: Petty--in control, the line--dominant, the running backs--poetry in motion, the receiving corps--deep, fast, and scary.

West Virginia. The perfect next step with their Big XII talent, strong defensive line, and recent win over OkieLight. At the same time, WVU wasn't a conference contender. This was just what the doctor ordered for a Baylor team that is still maturing, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

We all know what happened on Saturday, so I won't bore you by repeating details that we've recently parsed. I can say that I've started my classes this week by writing 56-14, 8/9, and 617 on the white board, then asking for an interpretation. The students, SEC fans for the most part, ooh and ah appropriately as I identify score, drives and yards. Then I close the deal by writing "first half stats" and watch them try to cope with the reality that is Baylor football.

It's on the defensive side of the ball that WVU most helped us advance another step in the right direction. The defense played well. No bbdb explanations for trips into our red zone this time. Yes, our corners were tested (sort of) by the dread pirate Trickett, but his arm wasn't really up to the task. At the same time, I think we all can agree that our scheme committed to stopping the run and left our corners, for the most part, on their own. This was good medicine for Goodson and Morton . They saw improved talent and didn't blow their assignments in ways that allowed open receivers to await the lob passes that came at them over and over again. Yes, we want them to turn and make plays, but I do believe that they're improving faster than the talent they are facing.

Kansas State. It's now time to leave the comfortable confines of the Case and face the deviltry of the Snydercats in their Manhattan lair. As we could say every week, this is our best test to date. We're on the road facing a team that should be just a bit better than WVU. I've heard a lot of comments lately about the road woes of TGCAB's teams, and I'm hard-pressed to find a pithy retort. The offense must once again demonstrate its lethality--we've set the bar, now we must find ways over it. The defense will face an improved version of our previous opponents who will likely try to control the clock (as if that will help). I won't be at all surprised to see our safeties focused on run support and our corners playing on their islands. All-in-all, the game challenge us in ways that will move us a fifth step in the right direction.

Last Thoughts. I'm clearly not a match for that man of mystery, the statistics lover formerly known as MCM, but as a historian I do like to look at how things develop over time. The way our schedule has played out is a beautiful thing (cupcakes or no). The offense adds wrinkles that confound our opponents, and the defense continues to grow into a squad that gives us blowouts, not shootouts. The future is a brilliant gold chrome, and I can't wait for Saturday.


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