There are many questions that we may never know the answer. Who am I? Where did I come from? Is our faith journey really a fulfilling journey? What would Annie Lennox really look like if she had not chopped up her hair?
So maybe the RJB’s last question tripped you up. However, it’s fair to ask that about the lead singer for the Eurythmics. Back in the 1980s we all probably wondered. Alas, we will never know the answer. Did you know she’ll be 63 on Christmas Day? Wow!
As you can tell by the RJB’s history of popular bands’ top recordings, we don’t go for the top hit. If we did, then it wouldn’t be the RJB. We prefer the under-the-radar, never-got-its-due selection. That’s where we find our favorite from the British duo.
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The dog days are over. If you look over the horizon, you can see the Sept. 2 2017 season opener approaching.
AND DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME!
We’re in that period of days that inside the next two weeks, you’ll know the outcome of Baylor vs. Liberty. Yes, the sands in the hourglass are slipping through the neck at a faster rate. Your enthusiasm is such that you’re not sure you can contain it.
Just hang in there a little longer. If it helps, remember we have five games on the Saturday docket. Then on Aug. 31, the Thursday agenda puts you in the right frame of mind.
As we get going to this, I think it’s fair to put some predictions into this upcoming season. However, I will NOT produce a predicted record. I have two records in mind, but I want to wait a little longer before I decide which way I want to go. In other words, you’re going to be looking for that record next week.
Here’s what I have for you for 2017:
>Zach Smith is named the Baylor starting quarterback
Maybe you wouldn’t consider that shocking or going out on a ledge. But everybody who knows my position on this position understands what it’s going to take for the Bears’ offense to have the best opportunity to succeed. The difference between Smith and Anu Solomon is the arm. Smith has the better one and has been working with the receivers longer. Of course, the play book has changed because there’s actually one.
>Baylor’s defense will finish in the Top 3 in the Big 12
Questions linger for depth at linebacker and at safety. However, I really like this front. I wouldn’t compare it to the group we saw in 2015 between Beau Blackshear, Shawn Oakman, Andrew Billings and Jamal Palmer. However, when your ends are the invigorated Brian Nance and quiet yet effective K.J. Smith and tackles led by Bravvion Roy and Cactus Bowl defensive MVP Tyrone Hunt, it’s a pretty good nucleus. They have a defensive minded head coach and a position coach – Elijah Robinson – who has a history of making people better. Look around the Big 12 and you’ll note that there really isn’t a defense returning that makes you go WOW!
>Baylor will be at least +3 in turnover ratio
In turbulent 2016, the Bears were pretty messy with the football. They committed 27 turnovers and were a -5 in the turnover ratio. With a defense that has a lot of things going for it, it will be opportunistic and perhaps giftwrap some opportunities for what I expect to be an erratic offense.
>Blake Lynch becomes the big WR target
When healthy, I think he’s the best athlete on this team. And you all know I don’t throw those superlatives around like candy. Between his days at Gilmer and last year, there was no prettier site than watching Lynch in the open field. He’s graceful, elusive and can break it at any time he touches the ball. I’m not worried about what the depth chart looks like now or what it will look like before Liberty. Show me the baby when we cross into November.
>Drew Galitz is the full-time punter and PK
I don’t believe the Baylor coaches want to mess around with possibilities and experiments when it comes to the kicking game. If you’ve heard Matt Rhule talk about the kind of work this team and coaching staff puts into the other third of the game, they’re going to use the most effective specialist. I think that’s going to be Galitz. He did both in high school at Rowlett. It may not be the prudent thing to do. But the other kicking candidates led by Connor Martin just aren’t good enough. In a note last week about a visitor saying that Baylor wants to find a punter. Now, I don’t know if that’s going to be a walk on or scholarship - there are now seven spots available – but the point is that if the staff follows through on this line of thinking, then you could see Galitz move to full-time kicker. But that’s for 2018.
>Oklahoma State will play Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game
Now, that this game is back for the first weekend in December, you’re to see Bedlam Part II at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. These two programs have the top two quarterbacks in the conference between Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph. And this game will produce a team going to the college football playoff.
>Selling Kansas State and Texas
For whatever reason, I just can’t get on board with Bill Snyder’s team. He has a lot returners including his quarterback Jesse Ertz. Plus, the Wildcats can frustrate many a team. However, I don’t have the same kind of confidence in playmakers in the offense. As for Texas, I’m probably just annoyed by the annual August national media romance with a program that hasn’t done much of anything for pretty much this decade. Had there been a track record, then sure. But then, that's why Texas changed coaches last year. If the Longhorns win at USC or make that game more competitive than I believe it will be, then I’ll change my tune. Until then, Texas is no different than Baylor in going through a transition season.
>Buying Kansas and Iowa State
Maybe I’m fan of the underdog. Maybe this is just my chance to use the bible verse, “the last shall be first and the first shall be last.’’ What I like about the Jayhawks and Cyclones is that their rosters are looking more and legit and of decent P5 caliber. ISU has the right wide receiver – Alan Lazard – and running back Mike Warren is looking for a bounce back season. If the QB issue settles, then the Cyclones could be in bowl contention. I don’t think Kansas is a bowl team. Remember, David Beaty had scholarship numbers in the mid-60s in his first year (2015). He has the Big 12’s preseason defensive player of the year in defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr. Plus, JUCO running back Octavius Matthews could be exactly what that offense needs. KU could push 4-5 wins.
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Other thoughts
>I have no idea what to tell you about Alabama offensive lineman Khalil Keith. He’s not at Baylor. He may show up Monday. He may show up Tuesday. He may show up next week. He may never arrive. As fans and followers of this program, I really wouldn’t worry too much about his situation and whether he ever becomes a member of this program. If he does great news. If he doesn’t it’s time to move on. I guess a gray shirt is a possibility. But as you know gray shirts don’t have a lot of teeth to them unless it’s a phenomenal talent who just came up a bit short in the academic department. I don’t know if we have that with Keith. Just hope for the best.
>Had a great conversation with Baylor 2018 basketball Matthew Mayer regarding his appearance in the Nike Skills Academy this past weekend in Los Angeles. You’ll read this week how he turned things around to where he believes he is a more all-around player. Mayer plans to visit Waco this coming Saturday.
>The oppression of August heat is here. Rough. It’s pretty demoralizing to get up in the morning and walk across the room – A/C breeze blowing – and get to the other side in a full sweat. I’m exaggerating. I’m just done with summer. I need a serious cold front to push this state into the 70s.
>Your publisher is officially back doing Aledo radio this fall. So we’ll see if the Bearcats can make it seven state championships in nine seasons. You can pick us on line www.921hankfm.com . Aledo has a great opener on Sept. 1 against Colleyville Heritage. I figure there are going to be about 5-6 Division I recruits in that game. Oh, and I do the KTFW High School Scoreboard (same station) following the Aledo postgame show.
>Don't forget the solar eclipse on Monday. Just don't look directly into it. You know the drill. And if you miss it, then you have another chance in 2024.
****
Now a look at other Baylor sports. It’s short because we only have soccer. By this time next week, this part WWHT will start filling up.
>Baylor won its opener on Friday with a 5-0 win over Louisiana-Lafayette at Betty Lou Mays Soccer Field. The Bears had 38 total shots, 14 on goal and 11 corner kicks.
>Baylor improved to 2-0 when it defeated Wyoming, 2-1, in overtime at Betty Lou Mays Soccer Field. Baylor is 2-0 for the first time since 2014.
The Lady Bears have a two-game road trip in Houston this weekend with a game Friday at Rice and then Sunday at Houston Baptist.
Let’s make it a great week!
So maybe the RJB’s last question tripped you up. However, it’s fair to ask that about the lead singer for the Eurythmics. Back in the 1980s we all probably wondered. Alas, we will never know the answer. Did you know she’ll be 63 on Christmas Day? Wow!
As you can tell by the RJB’s history of popular bands’ top recordings, we don’t go for the top hit. If we did, then it wouldn’t be the RJB. We prefer the under-the-radar, never-got-its-due selection. That’s where we find our favorite from the British duo.
****
The dog days are over. If you look over the horizon, you can see the Sept. 2 2017 season opener approaching.
AND DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME!
We’re in that period of days that inside the next two weeks, you’ll know the outcome of Baylor vs. Liberty. Yes, the sands in the hourglass are slipping through the neck at a faster rate. Your enthusiasm is such that you’re not sure you can contain it.
Just hang in there a little longer. If it helps, remember we have five games on the Saturday docket. Then on Aug. 31, the Thursday agenda puts you in the right frame of mind.
As we get going to this, I think it’s fair to put some predictions into this upcoming season. However, I will NOT produce a predicted record. I have two records in mind, but I want to wait a little longer before I decide which way I want to go. In other words, you’re going to be looking for that record next week.
Here’s what I have for you for 2017:
>Zach Smith is named the Baylor starting quarterback
Maybe you wouldn’t consider that shocking or going out on a ledge. But everybody who knows my position on this position understands what it’s going to take for the Bears’ offense to have the best opportunity to succeed. The difference between Smith and Anu Solomon is the arm. Smith has the better one and has been working with the receivers longer. Of course, the play book has changed because there’s actually one.
>Baylor’s defense will finish in the Top 3 in the Big 12
Questions linger for depth at linebacker and at safety. However, I really like this front. I wouldn’t compare it to the group we saw in 2015 between Beau Blackshear, Shawn Oakman, Andrew Billings and Jamal Palmer. However, when your ends are the invigorated Brian Nance and quiet yet effective K.J. Smith and tackles led by Bravvion Roy and Cactus Bowl defensive MVP Tyrone Hunt, it’s a pretty good nucleus. They have a defensive minded head coach and a position coach – Elijah Robinson – who has a history of making people better. Look around the Big 12 and you’ll note that there really isn’t a defense returning that makes you go WOW!
>Baylor will be at least +3 in turnover ratio
In turbulent 2016, the Bears were pretty messy with the football. They committed 27 turnovers and were a -5 in the turnover ratio. With a defense that has a lot of things going for it, it will be opportunistic and perhaps giftwrap some opportunities for what I expect to be an erratic offense.
>Blake Lynch becomes the big WR target
When healthy, I think he’s the best athlete on this team. And you all know I don’t throw those superlatives around like candy. Between his days at Gilmer and last year, there was no prettier site than watching Lynch in the open field. He’s graceful, elusive and can break it at any time he touches the ball. I’m not worried about what the depth chart looks like now or what it will look like before Liberty. Show me the baby when we cross into November.
>Drew Galitz is the full-time punter and PK
I don’t believe the Baylor coaches want to mess around with possibilities and experiments when it comes to the kicking game. If you’ve heard Matt Rhule talk about the kind of work this team and coaching staff puts into the other third of the game, they’re going to use the most effective specialist. I think that’s going to be Galitz. He did both in high school at Rowlett. It may not be the prudent thing to do. But the other kicking candidates led by Connor Martin just aren’t good enough. In a note last week about a visitor saying that Baylor wants to find a punter. Now, I don’t know if that’s going to be a walk on or scholarship - there are now seven spots available – but the point is that if the staff follows through on this line of thinking, then you could see Galitz move to full-time kicker. But that’s for 2018.
>Oklahoma State will play Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game
Now, that this game is back for the first weekend in December, you’re to see Bedlam Part II at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. These two programs have the top two quarterbacks in the conference between Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph. And this game will produce a team going to the college football playoff.
>Selling Kansas State and Texas
For whatever reason, I just can’t get on board with Bill Snyder’s team. He has a lot returners including his quarterback Jesse Ertz. Plus, the Wildcats can frustrate many a team. However, I don’t have the same kind of confidence in playmakers in the offense. As for Texas, I’m probably just annoyed by the annual August national media romance with a program that hasn’t done much of anything for pretty much this decade. Had there been a track record, then sure. But then, that's why Texas changed coaches last year. If the Longhorns win at USC or make that game more competitive than I believe it will be, then I’ll change my tune. Until then, Texas is no different than Baylor in going through a transition season.
>Buying Kansas and Iowa State
Maybe I’m fan of the underdog. Maybe this is just my chance to use the bible verse, “the last shall be first and the first shall be last.’’ What I like about the Jayhawks and Cyclones is that their rosters are looking more and legit and of decent P5 caliber. ISU has the right wide receiver – Alan Lazard – and running back Mike Warren is looking for a bounce back season. If the QB issue settles, then the Cyclones could be in bowl contention. I don’t think Kansas is a bowl team. Remember, David Beaty had scholarship numbers in the mid-60s in his first year (2015). He has the Big 12’s preseason defensive player of the year in defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr. Plus, JUCO running back Octavius Matthews could be exactly what that offense needs. KU could push 4-5 wins.
****
Other thoughts
>I have no idea what to tell you about Alabama offensive lineman Khalil Keith. He’s not at Baylor. He may show up Monday. He may show up Tuesday. He may show up next week. He may never arrive. As fans and followers of this program, I really wouldn’t worry too much about his situation and whether he ever becomes a member of this program. If he does great news. If he doesn’t it’s time to move on. I guess a gray shirt is a possibility. But as you know gray shirts don’t have a lot of teeth to them unless it’s a phenomenal talent who just came up a bit short in the academic department. I don’t know if we have that with Keith. Just hope for the best.
>Had a great conversation with Baylor 2018 basketball Matthew Mayer regarding his appearance in the Nike Skills Academy this past weekend in Los Angeles. You’ll read this week how he turned things around to where he believes he is a more all-around player. Mayer plans to visit Waco this coming Saturday.
>The oppression of August heat is here. Rough. It’s pretty demoralizing to get up in the morning and walk across the room – A/C breeze blowing – and get to the other side in a full sweat. I’m exaggerating. I’m just done with summer. I need a serious cold front to push this state into the 70s.
>Your publisher is officially back doing Aledo radio this fall. So we’ll see if the Bearcats can make it seven state championships in nine seasons. You can pick us on line www.921hankfm.com . Aledo has a great opener on Sept. 1 against Colleyville Heritage. I figure there are going to be about 5-6 Division I recruits in that game. Oh, and I do the KTFW High School Scoreboard (same station) following the Aledo postgame show.
>Don't forget the solar eclipse on Monday. Just don't look directly into it. You know the drill. And if you miss it, then you have another chance in 2024.
****
Now a look at other Baylor sports. It’s short because we only have soccer. By this time next week, this part WWHT will start filling up.
>Baylor won its opener on Friday with a 5-0 win over Louisiana-Lafayette at Betty Lou Mays Soccer Field. The Bears had 38 total shots, 14 on goal and 11 corner kicks.
>Baylor improved to 2-0 when it defeated Wyoming, 2-1, in overtime at Betty Lou Mays Soccer Field. Baylor is 2-0 for the first time since 2014.
The Lady Bears have a two-game road trip in Houston this weekend with a game Friday at Rice and then Sunday at Houston Baptist.
Let’s make it a great week!
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