Baylor Can Make A Move Against Arkansas
Baylor Can Make A Move Against Arkansas
If Baylor wants to be a major contender in the Red River Conference, then the Bears need to start by winning their matchup at Arkansas this Saturday.
If Baylor wants to be considered a major contender for the Red River Conference title, then the Bears need to start by winning their matchup at Arkansas this Saturday, which kicks off at 2 PM CT.
On the face of it, Baylor has a good shot. Both the Bears and the Razorbacks beat Texas Tech, but Baylor did so by 42, while Arkansas did so by only four.
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The Bears have gone on to win twice more, while the Razorbacks were summarily dispatched by LSU 51-15 in Baton Rouge, LA, back in November.
Match Replay: Texas Tech at Baylor
Arkansas head coach Warren Fyfe said his team has been working to improve from that day, but non-conference opponents have been hard to find.
"No real excuses for LSU," Fyfe said. "They simply were better in all departments."
Of course, getting two yellow cards in the second half did't help — especially two yellow cards the Razorbacks felt were a bit harsh.
"That ended the game as a contest," Fyfe said. "You can't play a team like LSU with 14 for [that long]. On another day with a different set of circumstances I know we can beat them."
Those are all short-term issues. In the long term, Arkansas captain, scrumhalf, and all-around all-star Alex Rees is out injured. The Razorbacks will have to find a way to keep their attacking tempo going without their best player and rely on defense.
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But defenses have not been an issue for Baylor, which has shown an ability to score with an aggressive backline and a very mobile pack. The back row of Cordon Moog, Ryan MacIntosh, and Griffin Maat may well be the best in the conference.
The Bears' locks and loose forwards can fill in on the backline quite nicely.
"I found myself this year playing with Ryan a lot on the wing," said Moog, a No. 8. "Ryan is very experienced. He played some rugby over in New Zealand last semester and has really improved a lot. I am really confident with those guys around me."
Lock Andrew Honderich added: "We have a really fit and athletic team and a lot of rugby knowledge. It allows us to change up our lineup. And I don't think our team's anywhere near our potential yet."