2 Studs and 2 Duds from Baylor's Loss Against BYU Cougars

In a game that had to be rescheduled due to a nationwide grounding of all flights saw Baylor unable to fly out Friday night, the Bears would fly in on game day to take on the CFP No. 10 Cougars of BYU. A difficult game for the Bears was already ahead of them as they were noted as underdogs at the start of the week.

However, with the change being made from a 2:30 p.m. CT start time and potentially having to deal with a wet field (due to the rain occurring in Provo, Utah on game day) in an afternoon game, to now being a 6:00 p.m. CT start time, the Bears would now have to contend with one of the best night game home teams in the country.

Some players excelled despite the lack of adequate time to acclimate themselves to the change in elevation though. However, there were also players who missed the mark in the loss to the Cougars.

Stud: WR Jadon Porter

Nov 7, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor wide receiver Jadon Porter (3) makes a catch against the Iowa State Cyclones during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Showing excellent hands, Jadon Porter made a nice 31 yard catch. The reception would set up a 1st and Goal for Baylor that would ultimately see the Bears get their first touchdown of the game a few plays later. Also a heads-up play to fall on a Michael Turner fumble, Porter came to play against BYU. Unfortunately though, he seemed to be one of the few.

Stud: P Palmer Williams

Nov 22, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Baylor Bears punter Palmer Williams (94) against the Arizona Wildcats at Casino Del Sol Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Palmer Williams is still the best Punter in college football today. An average of 48.2 yards on each punt with a long of 64 yards, Williams has done his best to win the battle of field position.

GET READY TO COMPETE

Pick your champion (you can change it later). We’ll email you when brackets open.

No purchase necessary. 50 U.S./D.C. 18+. Entry opens 3PM ET Dec 6, 2026 and closes 8PM ET Dec 18, 2026. Void where prohibited.See for complete details. The College Football Playoff (CFP) is not a sponsor or administrator of this contest.

Dud: QB DJ Lagway

Nov 14, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback DJ Lagway (2) throws the ball during the first half against the BYU Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

This game was not a very good performance for DJ Lagway. Inconsistent, and somewhere between "telegraphing everything" and simply "hesitant," this was not the same Lagway from the previous weeks against UCF and Iowa State. Through the first half, he was a non-factor. In the third quarter he threw an INT to BYU, a mistake that Baylor couldn't afford to make in this game.

It seemed like Lagway was taking entirely too long on every pass play.

Dud: The Offensive Play Calling

Nov 22, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Baylor Bears offensive coordinator Jake Spavital against the Arizona Wildcats at Casino Del Sol Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Every passing play seemed to take forever to develop. Every running play made it seem as though the Bears insisted on running into the backs of their own line instead of looking for open lane. Lagway seemed to either throw immediately or wander around in the backfield for five seconds.

Why isn't a wider variety of plays being called when it's obvious that what's being tried isn't working? Not every passing play needs to be a deep pass or one that crosses the entire field from one sideline to the other, but the routes being run on the passing plays all are carrying the receivers into the coverage instead of into the open and softer areas.

Sign up for our Free Newsletter and follow us on X and Facebook for the latest news

Add us as a preferred source on Google