Three Takeaways: October 4
10/4/2021 3:44:00 PM | Football
For 3rd-Straight Week, Bears Facing a Top-Flight Defense
Baylor Bear Insider Jerry Hill gives his three takeaways from Monday's weekly press conference with head coach Dave Aranda talking about the 24-14 road loss at #19 Oklahoma State and this week's matchup between the Bears (4-1, 2-1) and West Virginia (2-3, 0-2), which kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday at McLane Stadium and will be broadcast by FS1.:
- ANOTHER STOUT DEFENSE: For the third-straight week, the Bears will face one of the Big 12's top defenses. Ranked just behind Baylor's D, the Mountaineers are fourth in the league and 34th nationally in total defense, allowing 315.8 yards and 18.0 points per game. At least Darius Stills is no longer around. But, his younger brother, Dante Stills, and junior defensive end Taijh Alston are a disruptive duo that has combined for nine sacks and 14 tackles for losses. "They're not a bend-but-don't-break defense," Aranda said. "They're more of an attacking brand. It creates challenges for us, for sure. In the run game, they're very disruptive."
- WE CAN FIX IT: Baylor still ranks among the top rushing offenses in the country, averaging 238.2 yards per game and 6.14 per carry. But, the Bears have struggled the last two weeks against Iowa State and OSU, totaling just 230 yards on 62 attempts (3.7-yard average). Looking at game film, Aranda said "it's all very fixable." When OSU loaded the box, he said, it "forced us to win on the outside and on the perimeter. And we failed to do that. Once that happens, there's limited things you can do when you're outnumbered in the box. In terms of running the ball, cracking that eighth or ninth guy and being really effective at that is the key. And then, getting the ball on the perimeter. If everyone's inside, then try to take advantage of the math outside. We have to effectively block on the perimeter for that to happen."
- BAYLOR'S SWISS ARMY KNIFE: In addition to being a great kick return threat at Dartmouth, grad transfer receiver Drew Estrada has the strength, flexibility and speed to be a blocker, runner and receiver. In Saturday's game, he hauled in six passes for 88 yards, including a 37-yarder in the opening series and a 40-yarder in the second quarter. "There's a real strong competitiveness with him," Aranda said. "And I think his care factor is very strong. So, we're going to see more and more of him. I think the key for him is to stay healthy."
Players Mentioned
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