By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor puts a cap on the 2023 Spring Football Season with the annual Green & Gold game at noon Saturday at McLane Stadium.
The game can be seen on ESPN+. The layout for this game could be something with more 1s vs 2s – it would be stunning to see 1s vs. 1s – along with an element 7 on 7. Everyone will find out together.
Several may not play because of injury. By all accounts, OLB Garmon Randolph won’t.
Here are some items to look for Saturday:
QB Battle
All fans have been wondering and watching between this battle for the starting job between incumbent Blake Shapen and portal transfer challenger Sawyer Robertson.
Whoever takes the first snap on Saturday likely won’t mean that’s the way the Baylor coaches are leaning to be the starter. As we mentioned previously, the scrimmage on April 15 probably served as a better indicator of who could move ahead.
Just watch who has command of the offense and developing a chemistry of where to make the throws and how he is gelling with the receivers. You can decide for yourself who you think performed better. Dave Aranda has said that a decision to name the starter could be made after the spring game. For all we know, the decision has been and this game is just for show.
Offensive Line
Unlike the QB battle, the first team offense and who lines up from left tackle to right tackle should be a signal of how this is what the starting five could be. To be honest, it needs to be set as early as possible because all must be in sync for pass blocking and RVO assignments
What should be interesting is who lines up at center. There has been some talk BYU transfer Clark Barrington will be that. Time will tell.
Defensive Line
Same thing as the offensive line. This is the time of year the staff needs the supposed first-teamers to be nearly comfortable up front. Of course, Jerrell Boykins Jr. at the nose will be something to see. If he looks good against the offensive line 2s, that offers encouragement.
Should it be a push or he’s struggling, that’s not good. The other part will if there will only be 3-man fronts or will there be any 4-man fronts.
Turnovers
Regardless of what this first-team defense looks like, Baylor’s 2021 unit was phenomenal creating turnovers. There are a lot of new faces in the secondary. But this group has to hunt for the ball whether that’s moving their hips, watching the receivers’ eyes or just playing the ball.
Turnovers are a fluid thing from year to year. Baylor didn’t have much success from that last year. The narrative must change starting in spring ball.
Transfers
Wide receiver Ketron Jackson, tight end Jake Roberts, running back Dominic Richardson and linebacker Mike Smith are among the new faces who are expected to make an instant impact.
Jackson has been billed as the alpha receiver both by what he does off and on the field. Roberts’ pass catching ability adds to a deep position group. Richardson brings a veteran presence to the running back group. Smith is a sure tackler and Baylor needs that in the middle of the defense.
All may do something of note. All may do very little. But just watch how they move and if they look like they have a sense of how to play for either the offense or defense.
The bottom line is that they are supposed to be upgrades at their respective positions.
Other than that, just enjoy some football because you won’t see it again until Labor Day week
Publisher
Baylor puts a cap on the 2023 Spring Football Season with the annual Green & Gold game at noon Saturday at McLane Stadium.
The game can be seen on ESPN+. The layout for this game could be something with more 1s vs 2s – it would be stunning to see 1s vs. 1s – along with an element 7 on 7. Everyone will find out together.
Several may not play because of injury. By all accounts, OLB Garmon Randolph won’t.
Here are some items to look for Saturday:
QB Battle
All fans have been wondering and watching between this battle for the starting job between incumbent Blake Shapen and portal transfer challenger Sawyer Robertson.
Whoever takes the first snap on Saturday likely won’t mean that’s the way the Baylor coaches are leaning to be the starter. As we mentioned previously, the scrimmage on April 15 probably served as a better indicator of who could move ahead.
Just watch who has command of the offense and developing a chemistry of where to make the throws and how he is gelling with the receivers. You can decide for yourself who you think performed better. Dave Aranda has said that a decision to name the starter could be made after the spring game. For all we know, the decision has been and this game is just for show.
Offensive Line
Unlike the QB battle, the first team offense and who lines up from left tackle to right tackle should be a signal of how this is what the starting five could be. To be honest, it needs to be set as early as possible because all must be in sync for pass blocking and RVO assignments
What should be interesting is who lines up at center. There has been some talk BYU transfer Clark Barrington will be that. Time will tell.
Defensive Line
Same thing as the offensive line. This is the time of year the staff needs the supposed first-teamers to be nearly comfortable up front. Of course, Jerrell Boykins Jr. at the nose will be something to see. If he looks good against the offensive line 2s, that offers encouragement.
Should it be a push or he’s struggling, that’s not good. The other part will if there will only be 3-man fronts or will there be any 4-man fronts.
Turnovers
Regardless of what this first-team defense looks like, Baylor’s 2021 unit was phenomenal creating turnovers. There are a lot of new faces in the secondary. But this group has to hunt for the ball whether that’s moving their hips, watching the receivers’ eyes or just playing the ball.
Turnovers are a fluid thing from year to year. Baylor didn’t have much success from that last year. The narrative must change starting in spring ball.
Transfers
Wide receiver Ketron Jackson, tight end Jake Roberts, running back Dominic Richardson and linebacker Mike Smith are among the new faces who are expected to make an instant impact.
Jackson has been billed as the alpha receiver both by what he does off and on the field. Roberts’ pass catching ability adds to a deep position group. Richardson brings a veteran presence to the running back group. Smith is a sure tackler and Baylor needs that in the middle of the defense.
All may do something of note. All may do very little. But just watch how they move and if they look like they have a sense of how to play for either the offense or defense.
The bottom line is that they are supposed to be upgrades at their respective positions.
Other than that, just enjoy some football because you won’t see it again until Labor Day week
