No Need to Temper Excitement, This is What It’s All About
From flashy helmets to a premier non-con showdown and championship-level expectations, the 2025 season can’t get here quickly enough for the green and gold.
CHROME SWEET CHROME
The program’s reveal of reimagined chrome gold helmets, updated for 2025 unis, was a fun surprise and an excellent homage to Baylor’s peak cool.
Time doesn’t heal all wounds, but it does help in this case, as a mere color choice marks a notable step forward in further dispelling the resentment and beliefs that Baylor refuses to be cool or acknowledge its past.
Plus, it’s just fun to wear or see new, cool stuff. And it’s entirely new to the younger crowd who’ve only seen the glory years of Baylor’s peak coolness as a young child or via social media clips.
When Briles’ Bears donned the originals ten years ago, it was cutting-edge. They were the trendsetters, along with Oregon. So much so, it wouldn’t be surprising in the slightest if numerous current players wore some shade of chrome in high school.
The creative team nailed the idea of incorporating Petty and Robertson for the reveal. I do wish we could have seen a team-wide reaction, but perhaps that’s still to come. Regardless, this was a fun thing to see and write about. And a perfect game to bring them back.
He’s also just a hell of a lot of fun to watch.
AUBURN ANTICIPATION
The level of anticipation was already palpable for the season opener, before the helmet announcement. And even if the Bears were opening against the likes of Albany or Long Island, people would naturally be excited and drawn in by the mere return of football and the joy of a new season.
But, this opening opponent? A team from the SEC? The ones from Netflix? The program that in the last 24 hours claimed seven additional National Championships? With that head coach? And the Bears are wearing chrome helmets? Oh, I can’t wait.
August 29 at McLane Stadium is an incredible opportunity and a refreshingly unique start to the season.
You can crush a small school from New York at home without revealing or learning too much. You’re going to learn and reveal some things about your team for better or worse against the Tigers.
UNDISPUTED QB1
I remain impressed by how Sawyer Robertson handles himself. He’s fully aware of expectations and the territory that comes with being the guy and having lofty expectations for the team, but he seems well-equipped and ready for the pressure and the subsequent challenges. It’s easy to picture him as a leader, even from afar. You see it a lot with quarterbacks, but not always.
I have no idea what to expect with Jackson Arnold on the other side next week. He’s gifted, too, based on his high school success and interest from high-level programs. And reports are positive about his growth post-Oklahoma. But will his fresh opportunity blossom the way it has for Robertson?
As of press time, Hugh Freeze is still floating the idea of playing three quarterbacks, including 5-star freshman Deuce Knight.
The games have begun, on and off the field. But there’s no hiding who the man is in Waco.
DAWSON PENDERGRASS
It’s not all good news of late, specifically word that RB Dawson Pendergrass will miss the entire 2025 season. The backfield is less talented and experienced, but there will be ample opportunity for some young and hungry backups to fill the void.
The injury shouldn’t derail anything team-related, big picture, but that’s not the point here (and it very well could, actually). To state the obvious, injuries suck, and I’d imagine a touch more painful mentally and emotionally when you’ve come so close to returning to what you love and worked for year-round.
I look forward to his successful recovery and a thunderous reaction when he returns to action next season, but in the meantime, I hope a lot of positive support surrounds him.
TOP 25 SNUB?
The Bears were left on the outside looking in on the initial preseason Top 25 polls, although not by much, as one of many receiving votes.
Start with a win over Auburn, and you’ll be one of the most talked-about teams in the country exiting week one.
Handle your business in the non-conference, and the polls will work themselves out.