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Baylor vs. SMU -- GAME DAY -- Links, Notes, TV Schedule, Game Time

Baylor Football looks for 2-0 on the season and to try to put a little more turmoil behind them for a few hours.

By Mark C. Moore
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
vs.
23/19 BAYLOR (1-0) vs. SMU (1-0)
Sept. 10, 2016 | 2:30 p.m. CT
Waco, Texas | McLane Stadium (45,140)
TV: FS1
Listen | Gametracker Gametracker | Game Notes Notes | Tickets

ODB Game Hub: Baylor vs. SMU 2016
First Look: SMU Mustangs
OurDailyPodcast: THE PODCAST IS 100!!
ODB Roll Call: W/ TV, Radio, and Watch Party Info
SMU SB Nation Blog: Underdog Dynasty
Spread: Baylor -32 | O/U 76

Uniform: White (camo) / Grey / White

SB Nation 2016 Baylor Preview
SB Nation 2016 SMU Preview

WEAR YOUR WHITE!!

Seriously.  Just wear white.  You'll stick out like a sore thumb on TV in a stadium filled with white if you're not wearing it.  I don't care about your superstitions or obstinacy.  Please do it.

The Big News:

Putting aside the Art Briles interview to come sometime this morning on ESPN's College GameDay, there are two big injuries/situations worth talking about again.

RB Johnny Jefferson -- OUT -- In case you missed it last night, he's out for this season due to personal reasons.  He's still on the team, and the program hopes he will return for his senior season in the spring.

NB Travon Blanchard -- OUT -- Still recovering from surgery a week or so again but supposedly, the news has been good with that recovery.  Could come back for Rice or OSU?  Pat Levels will get the start NB in his absence.

ADVANCED STATS:

Could have done this for Baylor vs. SMU but didn't because the stats are still approximately 90% preseason projections, and those are mostly worthless at this point.  We'll get it together for either Rice or OSU, I guarantee it.

THOUGHTS ON THE GAME:

Whether Matt Davis plays today for SMU or not, we should find out if the defense that held NW State to 78 yards on 78 plays last week is for real or not.  SMU will throw everything into this game scheme-wise, and they probably feel pretty good about their chances to do some things against our defense considering how well they played for the first half last year.  If you remember, that game was close into halftime, and though Baylor ultimately pulled away, SMU showed some things.  The defense will have to be prepared for either Davis's running ability or Ben Hicks's big arm, and another strong defensive line effort would be just the ticket.

What I'll Be Watching:

  • Fast Start -- What Baylor is going to want to do in these non-conference games is not a mystery.  Our depth issues make any potential injuries disastrous to our team, which is why you saw Seth Russell leave last week's game in the second quarter, Zach Smith follow about 10 game minutes later, and the second half turn into an offensive snoozefest.  Baylor would probably like to do something similar against SMU by getting out of the gate quickly and building a big lead.  We'll see if that happens.
  • Defensive Line -- SMU's OL isn't supposed to be great by any stretch, but they are D1-caliber players that should show us a lot more about Ira Lewis and crew than NW State did.  If that crew can show up the same way they did last week, I'll be really excited.
  • Secondary-- Get ready, gentlemen, because SMU is going to come at you with a lot more aggression than NW State did.  Davion Hall, time to show what you've got.  Ryan Reid, another chance to silence the haters.  Good luck on that.
  • SHOCK LINWOOD -- GO GET THAT RECORD, SHOCK! 

My Prediction:

Seth Russell shows why he should be included in the early Heisman talk for this season, and Baylor pulls away in the second half.

Baylor 55, SMU 20.

Thoughts on Other Things:

I'm sitting here watching College GameDay and waiting for the Rinaldi interview with Art Briles.  I think I know what we're going to see -- a contrite, well-scripted Art Briles that avoids specific allegations and keeps things somewhat folksy -- but I'm a little afraid of the reactions from our people.  Specifically, I'm concerned that an already fractured fanbase could continue to be ripped apart when arguably the best football coach in our history starts talking again. I just hope people recognize it for the overt PR stunt that it is.

On a completely separate note, this Battle at Bristol thing looks absurd.  Some of these seats are probably 200 yards from the field.  I get wanting to set a new CFB attendance record, but this is crazy.

LINKS LINKS LINKS LINKS LINKS:

How to watch 2016 college football, Week 2: TV schedule, streaming, and the 'best' games - SBNation.com
Here, you'll find TV/streaming info for every FBS game of this weekend, in a chart showing you what to watch when.

Jefferson gone from Baylor for fall semester - WacoTrib.com: Baylor Bears Football
Baylor junior running back Johnny Jefferson won’t play in 2016 since he is taking time away from school for the fall semester to deal with undisclosed personal issues.

SMU's quarterback situation still undecided vs. Baylor - WacoTrib.com: Baylor Bears Football
The status of starting quarterback Davis, who appeared to get hit in the midsection, will be a game-time decision on Saturday at No. 23 Baylor, coach Chad Morris said.

Baylor football expects tougher competition from SMU - WacoTrib.com: Baylor Bears Football
With their lone FCS opponent behind them, the Baylor players are anxious to see how they perform against a higher level of competition.

How the Bears match up vs. SMU - WacoTrib.com: Baylor Bears Football
John Werner breaks down the game in all phases.

SMU Mustangs vs. Baylor Bears Preview and Prediction
Last season this matchup included a new head coach, SMUs Chad Morris. This seasons meeting again includes a first-year head coach, but this time it...

College Sports: Mustangs may have future NFL star receiver; why Chad Morris is upset at ESPN | SportsDay
In SMU's quarterback room, there's a default answer to several potentially tricky scenarios.The All-American Theory, as it's called, offers the...

TWEETS TWEETS TWEETS TWEETS TWEETS:

It's still early, but that's all I've got for now. Have a great Saturday, everyone!

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