Under the Friday Night Lights: Can Baylor Find Its Roar Against UCF's Big 12 Debut?

Well, here we are again, folks. Another week, another crucial Big 12 clash, and this one, truth be told, feels like it’s absolutely brimming with storylines. The Baylor Bears, currently sitting at a somewhat humbling 2-5 overall and a tough 1-3 in conference play, are set to host the UCF Knights. And for UCF, it’s been a bit of a baptism by fire, wouldn’t you say? Their inaugural Big 12 season hasn’t quite gone to plan, as they’re still searching for that elusive first conference win, holding a 0-4 league record and a 3-4 overall.

You can almost feel the tension building in Waco. Both programs, honestly, are desperate to snap those pesky losing streaks. Baylor, coming off a disheartening loss to Cincinnati, desperately needs a win to reignite some semblance of their former glory, to get that momentum back. For coach Dave Aranda, every game feels like a proving ground at this point, a chance to show what his team is truly made of, especially when they’re playing at home.

Then there’s UCF, under the always-entertaining Gus Malzahn. The Knights, they’ve just fallen to West Virginia, and you’ve got to imagine the frustration is palpable. Moving into a Power Five conference, especially one as rugged as the Big 12, is never easy. There’s a learning curve, a real adjustment to the physicality and depth of talent, week in and week out. And for the Knights, this trip to Waco? It’s another shot, another chance to etch their name into the Big 12 win column, to prove they belong.

When you look at the matchups, you really have to consider the quarterbacks. Baylor’s Blake Shapen has shown flashes, sure, but consistency is key, and he’ll need to be sharp against a UCF defense that, despite their record, isn’t to be underestimated. And for UCF, the return of John Rhys Plumlee under center — though he’s been back for a couple of games now after injury — could really inject some much-needed dynamism. His dual-threat capability, alongside the running prowess of RJ Harvey, could pose some serious problems for the Bears’ defense. But then again, Baylor has Richard Reese, a capable back in his own right, ready to chew up yardage.

Ultimately, this game, this particular Big 12 matchup, it’s not just about wins and losses on a stat sheet. It’s about pride. It’s about building for the future, for both teams. It’s about finding that grit, that determination, to pull out a victory when things haven’t quite gone your way. And honestly, isn’t that what college football is all about? Two teams, both hungry, both with something significant to prove, squaring off under the lights. It’s going to be a battle, that much is certain.