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While Baylor has a lot of questions entering conference play, the team is 3-0. It sounds like everyone will be available against Oklahoma State, and the conference may be the worst it’s been in years. Though we should have a better idea after this weekend if Oklahoma is worse than we thought entering the season, or if Houston is ready to win a playoff game, and where the rest of the Big 12 falls.
Highlights:
Football Notes:
The Good:
*Shock sets record- Congratulations to Shock Linwood for breaking Walter Abercrombie’s career rushing record. Linwood has had a wonderful career, including huge moments in two of the biggest wins in program history against Oklahoma in 2013 and TCU in 2014. Linwood still has at least 9 more games to build on his career total.
*K.D. Cannon- The man came to play. On a day where too many passes were dropped, Cannon dominated.
#Baylor WR KD Cannon put up some huge numbers tonight: 9 catches, 213 yards, 2 TDs. More receiving yards than 5 FBS teams have this season.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) September 17, 2016
*Travon Blanchard- After missing the first two weeks of the season following surgery, Blanchard came out and made plays. In the 3rd quarter, Blanchard got to the quarterback in about two seconds and threw him down for a sack. Blanchard was a key piece in Baylor holding Rice to zero points in the second half.
*Injuries- Orion Stewart left the game, Kyle Fuller missed a few plays, K.D. Cannon hobbled at the end, and Shock Linwood has been banged up. So why is this good news? Well, Grobe said, "Mike Sims said we should have everyone going next week.... hopefully we’ll have everyone at it and full speed by next week." That’s good news because those guys are essential for the team. Baylor is in a fortunate spot if everyone is ready to go next week, especially if Ryan Reid can return.
*Lasers- While Baylor had a number of problems in the first half, the referee was forced to make a request I doubt I’ll ever see again after someone in the stands was shinning a laser on the field:
The Bad:
*Drops- Chris Platt and Blake Lynch dropped a number of passes. Coach Grobe noted, "We dropped some balls we should catch.. we have talent at the wide receiver position." Both Platt and Lynch have huge futures, but with Seth Russell struggling again early, this only made the problems with the offense worse. Lynch sent out a tweet that shows why he’ll be a fan favorite:
Never again will I play this bad. That's on my City. But we got the W an that's all that matters.
— Blake Lynch (@BlakeLynch7) September 17, 2016
*First Half- Baylor once again had another bad first half. The Bears entered the locker room up 21-10. Rice entered the game as one of the worst defensive teams in the country. Baylor has to be far better if they want to contend in what looks like it may be one of the worst Big 12 seasons top to bottom in some time.
*Kicking- Callahan missed two field goals from 37 and 47 yards. His miss before halftime was way off. Callahan also got into it on the sideline with Jordan Tolbert.
Non-Football Notes:
*Art Briles- Art Briles sat in the stands at the game. Whether Briles will be at future games is unknown. I’m interested to hear from people who saw him at the game, and what he had to say. ESPN’s Sam Khan Jr. spoke with Briles. Briles said this, "I love these players and I love these coaches," Briles told ESPN.com "I love Baylor Nation. It's the only time I've been able to show up for a game."
*Shawn Oakman- Oakman was also sitting in the stands. A grand jury indicted Oakman for second degree felony sexual assault in July. Jessica Morey of KCEN had this:
Shawn Oakman says he's not currently working out, just working in Waco while he awaits trial for sexual assault. #Baylor
— Jessica Morrey (@JessicaMorrey) September 17, 2016
*Rice Band- Their band’s performance included forming a "IX" to symbolize Title IX, and a star for departed president Ken Starr. Jason Kirk of SB Nation criticized the move, while John McClain of the Houston Chronicle thought critics needed to lighten up.
Rice's marching band mocks Baylor's sexual assault scandal during halftime show
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 17, 2016
VIDEO: https://t.co/8BD4fJ1fd9 pic.twitter.com/iGEHUCd1DD
TWEETS:
We would normally throw some links in here, but almost every story is about the Rice band or Briles appearing. Feel free to read those takes. I would prefer to save you all the time because I assume you all can figure out what people could think about those two things, and we’ve got some great games today.
@Baylor Art Briles in the house. pic.twitter.com/0v6hpD9xmb
— SicEm (@BearNTex) September 17, 2016
After Baylor elected to not run up the score:
Dear Baylor coaches,
— MeechiganTabs (@TabsGoBlue) September 17, 2016
You sirs are jerks. Kick a damn FG and cover. You can't just win, YOU HAVE TO COVER!
Signed,
Me
After Mark tweeted out, "What’s he supposed to do" following a penalty for Sam Tecklenburg staying in his block after his helmet was knocked off, Tecklenburg had this gem of a tweet:
Just sit criss cross on the field until the play is over https://t.co/GXwsQQFFsX
— Sam Tecklenburg (@samteck82) September 17, 2016
Well, all right:
Harambe for Heisman?? That sounds just about right pic.twitter.com/Kq4HDhrkp9
— AJ Van den Dyssel (@ajvdd4) September 17, 2016
I’ve really enjoyed listening to Jerry Hill and Elliot Coffey’s coverage:
LIVE on #Periscope: Postgame #SicRice reaction with Elliot Coffey and Derek Smith. https://t.co/r4Vj8yKpFr
— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) September 17, 2016