Baylor University is set to launch its football season with a game against Auburn at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. This matchup is particularly important for seventh-year head coach Dave Aranda, who is looking to improve after three losing seasons in the last four years, following the team's Big 12 championship in 2021.
The Bears will be led by quarterback DJ Lagway, a transfer from Florida. Lagway takes over from Sawyer Robertson and has personal ties to the university, as his father played there from 1997 to 2001. The team will also feature a restructured receiving corps as they aim to enhance their overall performance.
On defense, first-year coordinator Joe Klanderman faces the challenge of revitalizing a struggling unit that ranked low in the Big 12 last season. The Bears will contend with Auburn's quarterback Byrum Brown, who comes from the University of South Florida and has impressive career statistics, including nearly 7,700 passing yards and 61 touchdowns.
This game is part of a larger lineup in the Big 12 Conference, with Baylor (0-0) going up against Auburn (0-0) at 3:30 p.m. ET, broadcast on ABC. The outcome is expected to have significant implications for Aranda's future with the program as he seeks to reverse the Bears' recent fortunes.
Other conference games include Oklahoma State at Tulsa and Boston College facing Cincinnati, both occurring on the same day.
