One True Podcast: Baylor/Big 12 football

Baylor and Auburn will begin the season Friday at McLane Stadium in a prime-time matchup. There's a lot at stake for both teams. Trib sports editor Brice Cherry and the Trib's Baylor beat writer Zach Smith are joined by Auburn beat writer Peter Rauterkus of AL.com to talk about the game.

• How big is this game for both schools and their fans?
• What has Baylor done to make McLane more intimidating?
• Who are going to be the key play...

Baylor and Auburn will kick off the season this Friday night, and Chris Vannini, a senior college football writer at The Athletic, will be watching a game at McLane Stadium for the first time. He and the Trib's Baylor beat writer Zach Smith talk about their expectations for the game, give an outlook for Baylor this season and discuss where the Big 12 fits in the ever-changing world of college athletics.

Music: www.purple-planet....

• It’s the nature of the college game these days, but there’s always a lot of new athletes to keep track of every year. We talked last time about how Dave Aranda’s Baylor defense will need to make some headway this season. Who are some of the new additions you’re expecting to make a big impact?

• How about offensively? Who should Baylor fans keep track of there?

• We discussed Nicki Collen’s team a bit last week. Is there one...

Let's talk Texas Bowl — the Trib's Baylor beat writer Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) and sports editor Brice Cherry (@BriceCherry) check in for some Baylor and LSU football talk: 

• No Pop-Tarts here: Baylor is headed to Texas Bowl vs. LSU at NRG Stadium on New Year's Eve. What's your reaction to that placement? About right? Good location?
• Call it the Dave Aranda Bowl, too — it's been just 5 years since the Baylor HFC won a cha...

We're joined by Houston beat writer Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle (@Joseph_Duarte), along with the Trib's Baylor beat writer Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) and sports editor Brice Cherry (@BriceCherry), ready to dig into some BU and Big 12 football talk: 

• Both Dave Aranda and Willie Fritz have done admirable jobs, with Aranda's resurrection of the Bears and Fritz's Cougars with three surprising wins over T...

We're joined by Cody Nespor (@CodyNespor) of WVSportsNow.com, along with the Trib's Baylor beat writer Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) and sports editor Brice Cherry (@BriceCherry) as the Bears head to Morgantown this week. 

• Let's call it the Big 12 Bowl — two teams face off that reflect the topsy-turvy nature of 2024 in the league. The Mountaineers have won back-to-back road games and the Bears have won three in a row. ...

We're joined by longtime Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Mac Engel (@MacEngel) of the Tulsa World, along with the Trib's Baylor beat writer Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) and sports editor Brice Cherry (@BriceCherry) as the Bears rekindle the Revivalry this week.

• Don't look now, but Baylor and TCU are both headed in the right direction again after the Frogs beat Utah on the road and escaped Texas Tech ...

We're joined by Oklahoma sportswriting raconteur Berry Tramel (@BerryTramel) of the Tulsa World, along with the Trib's Baylor beat writer Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) and sports editor Brice Cherry (@BriceCherry) as the Bears return to Waco for Homecoming this week. 

• While Baylor had a big breakthrough last week in Lubbock, Oklahoma State hasn't yet won a conference game. Has Mike Gundy passed Dave Aranda on the Big 12's ho...

We're joined by Lubbock legend Don Williams (@AJ_DonWilliams) of the Avalanche-Journal, along  with the Trib's Baylor beat writer Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) and sports editor Brice Cherry (@BriceCherry) as the Bears hit the road this week. 

• Coming off an open week, Baylor (2-4) heads to Lubbock (5-1). Kirby Hocutt and Mack Rhoades won't like this question, but let's ask it anyway: When Matt Rhule left Baylor, assistant Jo...

We're joined by Rob Gray (@ROBWGRAY) of Cyclone Fanatic and the Cedar Rapids Gazette, along with the Trib's Baylor beat writer Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) and sports editor Brice Cherry (@BriceCherry) as the Bears hit the road this week. 

• For the second straight week, the Baylor Bears will face an undefeated, nationally ranked team when it goes to Ames, Iowa. Iowa State moved up to No. 16 and is the BIg 12's highest ranked team...

We're joined by Sean Walker (@ActuallyDSW) of KSL-TV in Salt Lake City, along with the Trib's Baylor beat writer Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) and sports editor Brice Cherry (@BriceCherry) as the Bears return to McLane Stadium this week. 

• It's time for the "Holy War" between Baylor and BYU — two teams on opposite ends of the emotional spectrum with the 4-0 Cougars and the 2-2 Bears both coming off surprising outcomes. How muc...

We're joined by Mike Craven (@CravenMike) of Dave Campbell's Texas Football, along with the Trib's Baylor beat writer Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) and sports editor Brice Cherry (@BriceCherry) as the Bears head west this week. 

• The Big 12 opener for the Bears is in Boulder, Colorado, against a new and old conference squad. It seems like a pretty interesting toss-up game. What's the key for the Bears to win in the mountains, ...

We're joined by Darby Brown of KWTX-TV in Waco (@DarbyJoBrown), along with the Trib's Baylor beat writer Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) and sports editor Brice Cherry (@BriceCherry) as the Bears return home this week. 

• Both Zach and Darby were in SLC to witness Baylor's 23-12 loss to Utah firsthand. Obviously there's no shame in losing at Rice-Eccles Stadium, but this still felt like a step back for the Bears. What were the bi...

We're joined by Josh Furlong (@JFurKSL) of KSL-TV in Salt Lake City, along with the Trib's Baylor beat writer Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) and sports editor Brice Cherry (@BriceCherry) after one week in the books for the Bears.

• Both Baylor and Utah blasted off in Week 1, playing overmatched teams like Tarleton State and Southern Utah. With the Utes as the preseason Big 12 favorite coming in, what kind of game are you expecting ...

We're joined by Trib and Baylor legend Jerry Hill (@ViewFromHill) of the Baylor Bears Insider, along with the Trib's Baylor beat writer Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) and sports editor Brice Cherry (@BriceCherry) to preview a pivotal year in the tenure of Dave Aranda. 

1. The fifth-year Baylor ball coach doesn't seem to be ducking the pressure of what's clearly a a win-or-else year. Do you think his players are embracing that me...

We're joined by Texas State correspondent for the Austin American-Statesman Keff Ciardello (@Keff_C), along with the Trib's Baylor beat writer Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) and sports editor Brice Cherry (@BriceCherry), ready to react to an eventful week of Baylor and Big 12 happenings as the season winds down.

1. Jake Spavital spent four years as the head coach at Texas State, going 13-35, but was fired after the 2022 season and has be...