Baylor University is set to open its football season against Auburn at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon. This matchup is crucial for seventh-year head coach Dave Aranda, as the Bears have faced three losing seasons in the past four years after their Big 12 championship in 2021.
This season, Florida transfer quarterback DJ Lagway will take charge, stepping in for Sawyer Robertson. Lagway, whose father played at Baylor from 1997 to 2001, will lead a newly revamped receiving corps as the team seeks to enhance its performance.
On defense, first-year coordinator Joe Klanderman faces the challenge of rebuilding a unit that struggled last season, finishing near the bottom of the Big 12. The Bears will contend with Auburn's quarterback Byrum Brown, a transfer from the University of South Florida (USF), who boasts impressive career statistics, including nearly 7,700 passing yards and 61 touchdowns.
The game, featuring Baylor (0-0) against Auburn (0-0), is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC. The result could have significant implications for Aranda's future with the program as he aims to reverse the Bears' recent fortunes.
Other games in the Big 12 Conference on the same day include Oklahoma State visiting Tulsa and Boston College facing Cincinnati, both showcasing new coaching staff and key players looking for a turnaround.