Baylor University will kick off its football season against Auburn at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon, a matchup that holds significant implications for seventh-year head coach Dave Aranda. The Bears are entering this season after experiencing three losing seasons in the past four years, following their Big 12 championship in 2021.
This year, the Bears will see Florida transfer quarterback DJ Lagway take the helm, succeeding Sawyer Robertson. Lagway, whose father played at Baylor from 1997 to 2001, will lead a revamped receiving corps as the team aims to improve its performance.
On the defensive side, first-year coordinator Joe Klanderman is tasked with rebuilding a unit that struggled last season, ranking among the lowest in the Big 12.
The Bears will face a formidable challenge against Auburn's quarterback Byrum Brown, who transferred from the University of South Florida (USF) and brings impressive statistics, having thrown for nearly 7,700 yards and 61 touchdowns during his time with the Bulls.
This game is part of a broader slate of matchups in the Big 12 Conference, with Baylor (0-0) facing Auburn (0-0) at 3:30 p.m. ET, broadcast on ABC. The outcome could significantly influence Aranda's future with the program as he looks to turn around the Bears' fortunes after a challenging few seasons.
