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There's a fine line you have to walk with regard to rumors when you run a blog like this. If you're wrong and the information is bad, you look bad. If you're right, it's not really anything to celebrate when the information itself is about something negative. No matter what, you have to deal with people demanding information you don't have over and over again.
UPDATE: Turns out that this one was true. Drango's tweet from last night was apparently a reference to an injury for which he will have surgery today, according to Baylor.
@HeathNielsen at @BUFootball confirmed LT Spencer Drango is undergoing surgery today, no timetable on his return for what is a back injury.
— David Smoak (@DavidSmoak) November 19, 2013
With confirmation now in hand, we can talk about where Baylor goes from here while offering our prayers to Spencer in this tough time. I've gotten a lot of questions about it in the last 12 hours or so, as the offensive line is one place where you don't want to have to shuffle players around.
Nothing likely changes for the middle three of LG Cyril Richardson, C Stefan Huber, and RG Desmine Hilliard. They've all played well this season and should keep their spots as-is. Instead, you probably have two potential replacements for Drango at LT: his backup, sophomore Pat Colbert, or the starter for all of this season at RT thus far, senior Kelvin Palmer. Colbert is a 6-5, 305 pound mauler in the running game that is less experienced in pass protection. When Drango left Saturday's game momentarily, he was the one who came in. Palmer is the experienced jack-of-all-trades on the OL who has played LT in the past. I would lean toward moving him over and plugging preseason starter Troy Baker back in at RT to keep Colbert for depth.
So that gives us this:
LT -- Palmer
LG -- Richardson
C -- Huber
RG -- Hilliard
RT -- Baker
Without conceding my status as possibly the biggest Drangofan in the world, I'd go to Stillwater with that group and feel pretty good about how things stand, especially in the running game. Pass protection, especially with Palmer protecting Bryce Petty's blind side, is a bit more suspect.
Stay tuned for more information. When/if I have it, I'll post it. I should mention that Briles wasn't asked, nor did he offer anything voluntarily, about this at all yesterday.
NEWS NEWS NEWS:
I'm doing this today, and I prefer the shotgun approach: We'll start with BAYLOR FOOTBALL.
The Numerical, Week 12: USC starts hot, Baylor adapts, Wisconsin eats souls - SBNation.com
The best way to win is to dominate the first quarter, as USC, Wisconsin, Florida State, and others demonstrated this weekend. Also, maybe saying goodbye to Travis Wilson and your weekly Duke amazement.
Meet the Press: Football Weekly Presser vs. Oklahoma State - Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site - BaylorBears.com
Art Briles and players met with the media Monday in preparation for Baylor's game Saturday vs. Oklahoma State.
Baylor Bears finds breakout weapon in Levi Norwood - ESPN
WACO, Texas -- While Levi Norwood outran Texas Tech defenders on Saturday, his proud father sat back and, when he wasn’t busy doing his job...
Starting 11: Baylor is passing Bucks - College Football News | FOX Sports on MSN
Travis: Baylor is passing Ohio State in BCS standings, more from Week 12.
BCS standings: Baylor vs. Ohio State battle for No. 3 just beginning - NCAA Football - Sporting News
NCAA college football news, standings, trade rumors, scores, schedules and more 2012-13 coverage on Sporting News.
Baylor Beats Texas Tech, Ready for Game of the Season vs. Oklahoma State | Bleacher Report
The Big 12 has taken its fair share of lumps this season from a national perspective. But next Saturday, Nov. 23, should be billed as one of the more anticipated games of the entire college football season...
BAYLOR MBB:
Men's Hoops Signs Durham and Maston - Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site - BaylorBears.com
Damiyne Durham and T.J. Maston have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Baylor men's basketball program in 2014-15, head coach Scott Drew announced Monday.
Drew gets letters of intent from 2 Texas recruits - WacoTrib.com: Baylor Men's Basketball
Whether it’s big or small school players, Baylor coach Scott Drew recruits where the talent lies.
BAYLOR WBB:
Sims Leads No. 9 WBB Past Rice, 79-46 - Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site - BaylorBears.com
Odyssey Sims scored 33 points, outscoring Rice much of the game on her own as ninth-ranked Baylor won 79-46 on Monday night to extend its nation's-best home winning streak to 60 games.
Nina Davis Earns WBB Freshman of the Week Honors - Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site - BaylorBears.com
Baylor freshman Nina Davis (Baylor) was selected as the Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Freshman of the Week, as chosen by a media panel. Oklahoma senior Aaryn Ellenberg was recipient of the league's Player of the Week award.
EVERYTHING ELSE:
Full Week 13 college football TV schedule guide: Finally, a challenge for Baylor - SBNation.com
No. 4 Baylor tangles with No. 10 Oklahoma State, we get four other games between ranked teams, and the undercard is full of interesting matchups.
Alabama, Florida State still strong national title favorites - SBNation.com
Jameis Winston is the Heisman favorite as well.
Expected Wins after Week 12 and Picks for all Remaining Games - Football Study Hall
Taking a look at the model's accuracy in its first season, and how it predicts the remaining games.
TWEETS OF NOTE:
We got you Baylor pic.twitter.com/V4x7C0RHFR
— The SEC Logo (@SEC_Logo) November 19, 2013
Also on Earl Campbell semifinalist list are four players from Baylor, Antwan Goodley, Bryce Petty, Tevin Reese and Lache Seastrunk.
— David Smoak (@DavidSmoak) November 19, 2013
OSU/Baylor line now starting to creep back up in Bears favor, BU (-10) in a number of places. #Sooners/K-State still around OU (+3.5 or +4).
— Jordan Esco (@Jordan_Esco) November 19, 2013
Baylor, the team that suddenly has everything, including the nation's best running backs: http://t.co/pGAJ9dUqgK
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownSoE) November 19, 2013
I'll update the thread as more info becomes available.