I know it’s Texas-OU week because my neighbors are displaying their flags for the first time this season. Even with the Longhorns’ home loss to LSU, this feels like one of the best Red River Rivalry games in more than a decade.
But to paraphrase a biblical passage (NIV), me and my household will travel to Waco for Baylor-Texas Tech. It will be the first time since 2008 the game will be held on campus after a long run at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. I’m sure Dallas area alums appreciated the proximity, but the parking at McLane Stadium is much more convenient/less expensive.
This matchup might be on the Big 12 undercard, but it has huge implications for both programs. For Tech, it’s a chance for Matt Wells to pick up his first signature road win. The Red Raiders upset Mike Gundy’s ranked Pokes in Lubbock, but a win in Waco with Jett Duffey at quarterback would give the Wells regime an early boost. (Wells’ wife Jennifer was a pal of mine at Baylor in the 90s).
For Matt Rhule, Saturday’s a chance to back up an impressive road win in Manhattan and put the Bears in contention for the Big 12 crown. That’s right, I said it. There’s a chance the Bears enter back-to-back home games against the Sooners and Horns with a 9-0 record. A split could possibly earn the Bears a spot in the conference title game. What Rhule has done at Baylor is one of the most remarkable stories in college football. He accepted the job at a time when Baylor was viewed by many as the most notorious program in the country due to a rape scandal that engulfed the entire school.
Rhule was able to quickly change the culture at Baylor, in part because he was a complete outsider. He didn’t bring any baggage with him, and he’d already been preaching a message at Temple that his players were to honor and respect women. Baylor also hired its first female president in Linda Livingstone, and she’s helped restore dignity to the largest Baptist university in the country.
As an alum, I admit to being annoyed Rhule entertained offers from NFL teams so early in this tenure. Baylor officials told me it was “50-50” whether Rhule would take over as head coach of the New York Jets. Fortunately for Baylor, the Jets behaved like the Jets and tried to tell Rhule who needed to be on his staff. Otherwise, longtime defensive guru Phil Snow might be devising a game plan to stop Dak Prescott this week.
Speaking of Snow, Baylor is currently doing something that didn’t always happen during the Art Briles era: playing championship-caliber defense. And before the Phil Bennett apologists jump on me, I know coaching defense under Briles was a little like trying to do the same under Mike Leach. Let’s just say it wasn’t always the top priority.
Snow has transitioned to a scheme that features three down linemen for several different reasons. First, the Bears have a ton of speed at linebacker and in the secondary, so it makes sense to get as many of those players on the field as possible. But it also helps that James Lynch, Bravvion Roy and James Lockhart, a Texas A&M transfer, have turned into elite players. Lynch and Roy should both go in the first two rounds of the draft. Lynch, who was in Rhule’s first recruiting class, has a high motor to go along with devastating pass rush moves. He’ll likely lead the Big 12 in sacks this season.
Roy is listed at 6-1, 333 pounds, but he has unbelievable quickness for such a huge man. Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson can make plays with his feet, but on one play last Saturday, Roy just reached up with one arm and slung Thompson to the ground. Lockhart is a late bloomer who seemed to realize in the offseason that he’s much more than a rotation guy. He’s been dominant at times and has earned a coveted “single-digit” number from Rhule due to his leadership.
Rhule, athletic director Mack Rhoades and Livingstone have all received contract extensions during the past two weeks. Baylor is home to the defending national-champion Lady Bears and the current No. 1-ranked volleyball team. And a new basketball facility is on the way. Rhule said last week he believes Baylor has become a “destination spot” in college athletics. No one would’ve seen that coming a few years ago. Maybe not even Rhule.
On Saturday, the Big 12’s two unbeaten teams will take the field: Of course I’m talking about the Sooners and Bears. I know all eyes will be on the Cotton Bowl, but maybe flip over to Baylor-Tech when that game ends.
There are big things happening in Waco and Lubbock. Who would’ve thought?