By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
News to know
A couple of things to let you know about:
>Baylor and Texas Tech are still talking about extending their series at AT&T or taking it back to home-and-home. No decision has been made. The last game of the current agreement is the 2018 meeting on Nov. 24.
>As for the Big 12 withheld TV revenue from Baylor because of the sexual assault scandal, there is hope that it will be finalized by the end of October.
>Hearing Baylor is moving in the direction of planning for a new football operations building instead of converting the Simpson Center. What would happen is that when football vacates Simpson, the Student Center for Excellence in Simpson would be expanded. Renderings are in progress for the new ops building. Once those are finalized and approved, fund raising would begin.
Coleman’s first impression
He has been committed to Illinois since July 29. However, Melbourne (FL) Holy Trinity defensive end Seth Coleman appears to be willing to listen to what Baylor has to say.
The Bears offered earlier in the week and are in the market to add one or two more defensive lineman for the 2019 class.
“Yes, sir. I’m interested,’’ Coleman said. “I’m starting to read up a little more on Baylor and find out what they’re all about.’’
Baylor has been in pursuit of several defensive ends. The first choice would be try and lure Edmond (OK) Santa Fe and Oklahoma State commit Trace Ford to flip from the Cowboys. That’s probably going to be a work in progress.
Of course, the challenge is Baylor is up against the recruiting calendar and the early signing period, Dec. 19-21. The Bears must try to convince Ford and if it gets further with Coleman, to hold off signing with the Cowboys or Fighting Illini before they can make their case. Coleman plays basketball as well.
“I haven’t talked to them about taking [an official visit] yet,’’ Coleman said. “But I’m talking to coach [Evan] Cooper. He’s pretty cool to talk to.’’
Coleman’s 18 offers are mostly from non-P5 programs. Utah is the only other to offer besides Baylor and Illinois.
Through his first five games, Coleman has 43 tackles (12 TFL), 4 ½ sacks and seven QB hurries.
Basketball Notables
>Scott Drew and his staff continue their recruiting efforts. There are no official visitors expected this weekend. At this point, it appears there will be only one November signing in Bel Air, KS 3-star guard Jordan Turner.
>The good news coming out of training camp is that Yale grad transfer guard Makai Mason is getting through practice and facing contact. With the exception of one game, Mason has missed the past two seasons with a broken foot. The fact that he can withstand the stress is important for guard play as a whole and more options. Baylor was very careful in the summer to keep Mason away from any contact when players were going through their workouts/scrimmages at the Ferrell Center.
>Mark Vital continues to show improvement on his jumper. The sophomore was known more for his ability to explode to the rim and collect rebounds. The expectations are still tempered but it’s hoped he will be willing to use it more often than not in games in 2018-19. A good test will be how it looks when Baylor goes through its secret scrimmages Oct. 19 at Vanderbilt and Oct. 26 against SMU. Baylor and Vanderbilt have held scrimmages ever since Bryce Drew took over at Vanderbilt. This is the third consecutive year the Drew brothers have met.
>Speaking of those secret scrimmages, there’s really no known leader to be the point guard at this point of training camp. The candidates are Mason, Jared Butler and JUCO transfer Darius Allen. It’s hoped that the primary ball handler will emerge following the Vanderbilt and SMU scrimmages.
>With Hurricane Michael striking the Florida panhandle on Wednesday, Baylor hasn’t received any word from Emerald Coast Classic tournament officials regarding the status or potential changes for the tournament scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 23-24. The tournament is to be played on the Florida Panhandle at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, Fl. We’ll keep you posted if anything needs to be updated.
Big 12 Power Rankings
Each week, SicEmSports ranks the league based on the previous results as well as taking into consideration the full body of work. Agree or disagree, this is how we see them. Rankings include the result of TCU-Texas Tech.
1. West Virginia – Dana Holgorsen fighting second half disinterest
2. Texas – Longhorns have control of their Big 12 championship destiny
3. Oklahoma – Exposed defensive leads to change in DCs
4. Texas Tech – The Red Raiders may have solved the riddle on defense
5. Baylor – Bears own Sunflower State (Kansas) bragging rights
6. Oklahoma State – The most up-and-down team in this league
7. TCU – Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers
8. Iowa State – Can make a statement Saturday vs. West Virginia
9. Kansas State – RB Alex Barnes has huge day against Baylor
10. Kansas – The David Beaty watch is back on
Big 12 Weekend
A look at the schedule for this coming Saturday’s games. TCU played Texas Tech on Thursday. All times are central. Games listed in chronological order. TV is listed. Kansas and Oklahoma have byes.
Texas Tech 17, TCU 14: At Amon Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Thursday, Red Raider QB Jett Duffey’s 38-yard TD run with 7:02 to play in the fourth quarter lifted the Red Raiders (4-2, 2-1) past the Horned Frogs (3-3, 1-2). TCU has lost three of its last four. The Horned Frogs also committed three turnovers. The Red Raiders have their first two Big 12 road games. TCU QB Shawn Robinson came back from a non-throwing shoulder (left) injury and threw for 290 yards and two scores but also threw two interceptions.
Oklahoma State (4-2, 1-2) at Kansas State (2-4, 0-3); 11:00 a.m., Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, KS. (ESPNU)
Series: Oklahoma State leads, 39-25
Notable: An absolute must win for the Wildcats or they can pretty much dismiss any bowl possibilities. The Cowboys have the best rushing defense in the league (117.5) but the second-worst passing defense (272.5). That could play into their hands considering KSU is not a very good passing team. Shut down Alex Barnes (607 yard) and you’re guaranteed to win.
Baylor (4-2, 2-1) at No. 9/14 Texas (5-1, 3-0); 2:30 p.m., Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin (ESPN)
Texas leads: 77-26-4
Notable: Essentially, this game could come down to the old adage of running the football and being able to stop the run. The Bears’ defense – victim of numerous big rushing plays – is last in the conference in rushing defense at 191. 7 yards per game. Texas is 9th in rushing offense at 157.2 yards per game. Baylor’s slash Jalen Hurd has 34 touches in the last two games. Texas QB Sam Ehlinger hasn’t thrown an interception since the Sept. 1 season opener against Maryland.
No. 6/6 West Virginia (5-0, 3-0) at Iowa State (2-3, 1-2); 6:00 p.m., Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA (FS1)
Series: West Virginia leads, 5-1
Notable: West Virginia QB Will Grier takes his Heisman Trophy campaign on the road. He leads the Big 12 in total offense at 358 yards per game and has the nation’s third-best TD pass total (21). The Mountaineers have sprinted off to big leads in their last two games against Texas Tech and Kansas only to struggle and then hang on to win. Iowa State is hoping RB David Montgomery will be healthy enough to play. If he is, then that gives the Cyclones a lift.
Emptying the Notebook
>With Amarillo Tascosa’s King Doerue committing to Purdue earlier in the week, the chances of landing a running back for the 2019 class appear remote. And frankly, the Bears could be content with brining only Qualan Jones as the only RB into the class. Baylor has an offer into Grand Prairie RB Adrion Taylor. Time will tell what kind of movement that summons. As for the rest of the 2019 offers to the non-committed running backs, the Bears are not in the running.
Publisher
News to know
A couple of things to let you know about:
>Baylor and Texas Tech are still talking about extending their series at AT&T or taking it back to home-and-home. No decision has been made. The last game of the current agreement is the 2018 meeting on Nov. 24.
>As for the Big 12 withheld TV revenue from Baylor because of the sexual assault scandal, there is hope that it will be finalized by the end of October.
>Hearing Baylor is moving in the direction of planning for a new football operations building instead of converting the Simpson Center. What would happen is that when football vacates Simpson, the Student Center for Excellence in Simpson would be expanded. Renderings are in progress for the new ops building. Once those are finalized and approved, fund raising would begin.
Coleman’s first impression
He has been committed to Illinois since July 29. However, Melbourne (FL) Holy Trinity defensive end Seth Coleman appears to be willing to listen to what Baylor has to say.
The Bears offered earlier in the week and are in the market to add one or two more defensive lineman for the 2019 class.
“Yes, sir. I’m interested,’’ Coleman said. “I’m starting to read up a little more on Baylor and find out what they’re all about.’’
Baylor has been in pursuit of several defensive ends. The first choice would be try and lure Edmond (OK) Santa Fe and Oklahoma State commit Trace Ford to flip from the Cowboys. That’s probably going to be a work in progress.
Of course, the challenge is Baylor is up against the recruiting calendar and the early signing period, Dec. 19-21. The Bears must try to convince Ford and if it gets further with Coleman, to hold off signing with the Cowboys or Fighting Illini before they can make their case. Coleman plays basketball as well.
“I haven’t talked to them about taking [an official visit] yet,’’ Coleman said. “But I’m talking to coach [Evan] Cooper. He’s pretty cool to talk to.’’
Coleman’s 18 offers are mostly from non-P5 programs. Utah is the only other to offer besides Baylor and Illinois.
Through his first five games, Coleman has 43 tackles (12 TFL), 4 ½ sacks and seven QB hurries.
Basketball Notables
>Scott Drew and his staff continue their recruiting efforts. There are no official visitors expected this weekend. At this point, it appears there will be only one November signing in Bel Air, KS 3-star guard Jordan Turner.
>The good news coming out of training camp is that Yale grad transfer guard Makai Mason is getting through practice and facing contact. With the exception of one game, Mason has missed the past two seasons with a broken foot. The fact that he can withstand the stress is important for guard play as a whole and more options. Baylor was very careful in the summer to keep Mason away from any contact when players were going through their workouts/scrimmages at the Ferrell Center.
>Mark Vital continues to show improvement on his jumper. The sophomore was known more for his ability to explode to the rim and collect rebounds. The expectations are still tempered but it’s hoped he will be willing to use it more often than not in games in 2018-19. A good test will be how it looks when Baylor goes through its secret scrimmages Oct. 19 at Vanderbilt and Oct. 26 against SMU. Baylor and Vanderbilt have held scrimmages ever since Bryce Drew took over at Vanderbilt. This is the third consecutive year the Drew brothers have met.
>Speaking of those secret scrimmages, there’s really no known leader to be the point guard at this point of training camp. The candidates are Mason, Jared Butler and JUCO transfer Darius Allen. It’s hoped that the primary ball handler will emerge following the Vanderbilt and SMU scrimmages.
>With Hurricane Michael striking the Florida panhandle on Wednesday, Baylor hasn’t received any word from Emerald Coast Classic tournament officials regarding the status or potential changes for the tournament scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 23-24. The tournament is to be played on the Florida Panhandle at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, Fl. We’ll keep you posted if anything needs to be updated.
Big 12 Power Rankings
Each week, SicEmSports ranks the league based on the previous results as well as taking into consideration the full body of work. Agree or disagree, this is how we see them. Rankings include the result of TCU-Texas Tech.
1. West Virginia – Dana Holgorsen fighting second half disinterest
2. Texas – Longhorns have control of their Big 12 championship destiny
3. Oklahoma – Exposed defensive leads to change in DCs
4. Texas Tech – The Red Raiders may have solved the riddle on defense
5. Baylor – Bears own Sunflower State (Kansas) bragging rights
6. Oklahoma State – The most up-and-down team in this league
7. TCU – Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers
8. Iowa State – Can make a statement Saturday vs. West Virginia
9. Kansas State – RB Alex Barnes has huge day against Baylor
10. Kansas – The David Beaty watch is back on
Big 12 Weekend
A look at the schedule for this coming Saturday’s games. TCU played Texas Tech on Thursday. All times are central. Games listed in chronological order. TV is listed. Kansas and Oklahoma have byes.
Texas Tech 17, TCU 14: At Amon Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Thursday, Red Raider QB Jett Duffey’s 38-yard TD run with 7:02 to play in the fourth quarter lifted the Red Raiders (4-2, 2-1) past the Horned Frogs (3-3, 1-2). TCU has lost three of its last four. The Horned Frogs also committed three turnovers. The Red Raiders have their first two Big 12 road games. TCU QB Shawn Robinson came back from a non-throwing shoulder (left) injury and threw for 290 yards and two scores but also threw two interceptions.
Oklahoma State (4-2, 1-2) at Kansas State (2-4, 0-3); 11:00 a.m., Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, KS. (ESPNU)
Series: Oklahoma State leads, 39-25
Notable: An absolute must win for the Wildcats or they can pretty much dismiss any bowl possibilities. The Cowboys have the best rushing defense in the league (117.5) but the second-worst passing defense (272.5). That could play into their hands considering KSU is not a very good passing team. Shut down Alex Barnes (607 yard) and you’re guaranteed to win.
Baylor (4-2, 2-1) at No. 9/14 Texas (5-1, 3-0); 2:30 p.m., Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin (ESPN)
Texas leads: 77-26-4
Notable: Essentially, this game could come down to the old adage of running the football and being able to stop the run. The Bears’ defense – victim of numerous big rushing plays – is last in the conference in rushing defense at 191. 7 yards per game. Texas is 9th in rushing offense at 157.2 yards per game. Baylor’s slash Jalen Hurd has 34 touches in the last two games. Texas QB Sam Ehlinger hasn’t thrown an interception since the Sept. 1 season opener against Maryland.
No. 6/6 West Virginia (5-0, 3-0) at Iowa State (2-3, 1-2); 6:00 p.m., Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA (FS1)
Series: West Virginia leads, 5-1
Notable: West Virginia QB Will Grier takes his Heisman Trophy campaign on the road. He leads the Big 12 in total offense at 358 yards per game and has the nation’s third-best TD pass total (21). The Mountaineers have sprinted off to big leads in their last two games against Texas Tech and Kansas only to struggle and then hang on to win. Iowa State is hoping RB David Montgomery will be healthy enough to play. If he is, then that gives the Cyclones a lift.
Emptying the Notebook
>With Amarillo Tascosa’s King Doerue committing to Purdue earlier in the week, the chances of landing a running back for the 2019 class appear remote. And frankly, the Bears could be content with brining only Qualan Jones as the only RB into the class. Baylor has an offer into Grand Prairie RB Adrion Taylor. Time will tell what kind of movement that summons. As for the rest of the 2019 offers to the non-committed running backs, the Bears are not in the running.
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