Baylor University is set to begin its football season against Auburn at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. This matchup is significant for seventh-year head coach Dave Aranda, especially as the Bears have faced three losing seasons in the past four years after winning the Big 12 championship in 2021.
This season, DJ Lagway, a transfer from Florida and son of a former Baylor player, will take over as quarterback, following Sawyer Robertson. Lagway will lead a restructured receiving group as the team seeks to enhance its performance.
Defensively, Joe Klanderman, in his first year as coordinator, is working to rebuild a unit that struggled last season, ranking low within the Big 12. The Bears will encounter a tough challenge in Auburn's Byrum Brown, who previously played at the University of South Florida and has impressive stats, including nearly 7,700 passing yards and 61 touchdowns.
The game will take place at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC. The outcome is expected to have a significant impact on Aranda's future with the program as he aims to reverse the Bears' fortunes after recent difficulties.
Other Big 12 matchups on the same day include Oklahoma State visiting Tulsa and Boston College playing against Cincinnati, featuring new coaching staff and key players looking for improvement.
