Q&A: Get To Know The 2016 Baylor Bears

This week we chatted with Waco-Tribune sports editor Brice Cherry about what makes this Baylor team tick.

Steven Mandeville: With the exception of the first half against SMU and the first quarter of Rice, the Baylor offense is clicking, the defense is locked in (allowing just 10 points per game), and both coordinators are back. From a trained eye, how does this team compare to recent Baylor teams?

Brice Cherry: It’s a bit of a case where looks can be deceiving. While Baylor’s offense is putting up a healthy share of points and yards — and should continue to — pressing questions linger.

The offensive line, with only center Kyle Fuller back as a starter, remains a work in progress. Baylor is extremely talented at the skill positions, particularly at running back, where the Bears have been utilizing a three-headed committee approach with more regularity. But Baylor needs a No. 2 receiver to step up to complement the dynamic KD Cannon, and young guys like Chris Platt, Blake Lynch and Pooh Stricklin are all getting their first extensive playing time.[1. Ed. note: I wish my name was Pooh. Pooh Porter.] The Bears are heavily dependent on Seth Russell staying healthy.

Defensively, Baylor has looked pretty stout in the first three games, but you’ve still got to wonder how much of that was the level of competition.

SM: Returning all-conference level talents Seth Russell, KD Cannon and Shock Linwood (amongst other talented skill players) but losing four starters on the offensive line, how has that affected/will that affect the Baylor offense in conference play?

BC: As mentioned, the offensive line’s development is a major concern for Baylor. When Art Briles arrived in Waco in 2008, he obviously targeted some speedy skill players in the likes of Kendall Wright and Robert Griffin III. But more critical to Baylor’s rise was the way he overhauled the offensive and defensive lines. He knew that Baylor needed a strong line in order to compete, and that was something that had been lacking for a long time.

This group has plenty of promise, it’s just greener than the last few lines they’ve had. And the Bears need Fuller, the one returning starter, to clean up some of the false-start penalties he’s suffered in the early stages of this season.

SM: This may seem like a silly question with the stable of receivers and consistent quarterback play in Waco, but after watching the Bears’ rushing attack just destroy North Carolina on the ground in the bowl game, would you consider the Bears’ offense to be better at running or passing the ball?

BC: One is reliant on the other. The Art Briles offense — and, let’s face it, that’s what Baylor is still running — functions by spreading its receivers as wide as the field allows, thus creating more running lanes for its backs. You hear coaches say “Were going to take what the defense gives us” all the time, but Baylor really means it. If the defense crowds eight or nine in the box, they’ll try to exploit those one-on-one matchups with their receivers. And vice versa.

Ultimately, I’d say that Baylor’s offense is predicated on the ability to run and pass equally effectively. In the games under Briles where the offense struggled, usually the defense proved effective in taking the run game away.

SM: How has the move to the 3-4 defense looked so far this season? Concerning the shift and current personnel, do you see stopping the run or the pass being more of a strength?

BC: It’s not completely new. Baylor utilized the 3-4 at various times last season, so it wasn’t a look with which the Bears were foreign. But the hits the team has taken on the defensive line forced Phil Bennett’s hand a bit, hence the more frequent use of the 3-4 this year.

It does seem to fit Baylor’s personnel well, putting more speed on the field. I’d say that the defense has probably shown a bit more potential in stuffing the run than the pass, at least in the early going.

SM: Players like Orion Stewart and Ryan Reid in the defensive backfield and Taylor Young at linebacker are regularly recognized in the conference. Who are other players on the defensive side of the ball for the Cowboys to look out for?

BC: Nickelback Travon Blanchard is back from injury and should be a big-time playmaker. I’m a fan of linebacker Aiavion Edwards — he flies around to the ball well and has savvy instincts. And perhaps the surprise player in the early going has been sophomore nose guard Ira Lewis. He’s made a few plays reminiscent of Andrew Billings, and that’s high praise.

SM: While this is likely to have little impact early in the season when the Cowboys plays the Bears, where, in terms of scholarship numbers, is this Baylor roster? From there, where is the overall depth on this roster?

BC: The Bears are currently about 15 players under their scholarship limit, and it’s a pretty big dilemma for the program going forward. This year’s recruiting class saw a number of key defections after Art Briles was fired, and the 2017 signing class probably won’t match recent recruiting hauls, with the coaching situation in flux. Baylor may have to rely on more junior college transfers than it has in the past. But 2017 and 2018 is where Baylor’s depth issues could start rearing their head.

SM: Expansion is such a hot topic of late, what seems to be the general Baylor preference for expansion and candidates?

BC: Baylor has an interim president and coach, and a brand-new athletic director, so I think it’s been more focused on trying to get its own house in order rather than expansion. That said, Baylor has generally been in favor of expanding. At least in the past, Baylor’s administrators haven’t been gung-ho about adding another Texas school, so that could be a vote against Houston.

SM: For Cowboy fans making the trip to Waco, what are a few must see places, restaurants and landmarks?

BC: George’s is an iconic Waco institution, and it’s a solid choice for those craving beer and bar food. Locals know that the best burger in town resides at Dubl-R. Even outsiders have probably heard of the Gut Pak at Vitek’s Barbecue — it’s basically a Frito Pie on steroids — and it should be experienced at least once. (Unless you’re a glutton for punishment, order the small). And if you’re willing to venture off the beaten path, arguably the best all-around dining in the area can be found at Cafe Homestead, located just north of Waco at Homestead Heritage. Everything is fresh from the farm, and you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

Waco has ample museums and shopping. Magnolia is a major tourist draw, given the popularity of Fixer-Upper. It’s always hopping, so if you’re not a fan of crowds, you’d best steer clear. Personally, I’d recommend the Texas Sports Hall of Fame for any sports-minded visitors. Cameron Park is an underrated gem, with tons of hiking and biking trails.