Utah Football vs Baylor Football Preview: Kyle Whittingham, Cam Rising vs Dave Aranda, Dequan Finn

Big 12 action gets underway this Saturday for the first time being in the same conference the Utah Utes and Baylor Bears will be playing each other no it's not technically a conference game but we're fired up for Big 12 Football will cam rising or dquan Finn shine Mo in rice eckle Stadium who has the edge on each side of the ball and who's coming out on top all that and more coming up on today's locked on nutes and locked on Baylor crossover you are locked on Utes your daily podcast on the Utah Utes part of the locked on podcast Network your team every day hello everyone and thank you for making locked on Utes and locked on bayor your first listen every single day we are part of the locked on podcast Network your team every day if you are an everyday thank you so much for supporting our show if you want to become an everyday make sure you like and subscribe you can also follow our social handles you find our shows both on X as well as we love interacting with all of you in the YouTube comments as well I'm JT weril cam Stewart locked on Baylor with me but before we dive into the football we want to talk to you about the sponsor of today's episode of lockon our friends at FanDuel now through September 22nd all FanDuel customers can bet $5 and get a three-week free trial of NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube and YouTube TV you can visit fanduel.com to get started and cam I'm excited to get this game started because this is the first Big 12 game we both have on our schedule I can't fathom that it's not a conference one still I understand why from a scheduling standpoint it's just still such a strange thing but it's that's College athletics in the in the world we lived in and we'll talk about this year's matchup all the angles but I think the most important first thing is these two teams did play each other last year it was game in Waco they're so drastically different I I feel like you don't even really watch the tape I think you really only focus on how this this year's team looks in the new pieces that both sides have added or in Utah's case the pieces that have returned yeah I I told my people my people throw it out like don't don't go off a last year's at all I mean you look no further than the quarterback matchup sty Robertson versus Bryson Barnes like there's just there's no comparison to it now and that for For Better or For Worse you know it's it's completely different I am excited to get in the Big 12 here because it's I mean technically not but into the Big 12 it's not fair that Florida State got to lose a couple of conference games before anyone else even played one uh you know share the love a little bit but yeah I I I just throw out last year completely it was it was a rock fight and not a good one you know not like oh these two defenses or right Baylor ends up finishing last in the conference and points per game allowed uh it was it was just not an entertaining football game by by any means I know you know at the time Utah fans were felt lucky to get out of there W with a win but no knew and know that that that was not Utah at full strength also not bayor at full strength to be fair but um it was it was just not indicative of what either of those teams were good or bad I thought Baylor's defense played above what they played the rest of the season uh but as inept as they could be at times they were better than than most of that offense in that game soyer Robertson was kind of thrown out there his second game as in into this new system that was very different from what he was playing in before so yeah throw that one out don't need it we're just gonna focus on JT both our teams taking on uh FCS opponents last week and really taking it to them like can you learn from that that's what I'm excited to see because both these teams look strong against FCS opponents so now we get to find out okay stuff in competition how are these teams going to look and because I've seen this this group of Utah players and I I mean this the the individuals there are some new parts that haven't exactly played together but I know what Brant keithy can do on the Collegiate stage he looked really good last week I know the narrative that some people are trying to write about cam Rising but when you throw for a career high in passing yards only have to play the first half we're 10 of 15 overall I thought he looked pretty dang good too so JT can you break down why he is the ninth best quarterback back in this conference please floor is yours oh our good old yeah there was a it was a fun quarterback list put out by Drake to in terms of passing yards in which cam Rising was ranked there but I do gen this is a great opportunity for cam to like hey and I will say it's one thing to once again to do it against FCS opponents now let's do it against a step up in competition that's what it will be so starting with this Utah offense against this Baylor defense I feel good about this Utah offense I think I'm excited to see how the Utah offensive line that's my one thing where they were up and down last week so this and I think Baylor's pass rush is improved I I don't think it's great yet still that's what we well you have to kind of earn that monarch of course but I thought it's a step in the right direction so I'm excited to see that battle I think Utah has receivers that can win in the secondary I know this is a new Baylor defense but you are you do need to make a massive jump from where those overall season numbers were last year ranked outside the top 100 in yards per game allowed to opponents and same thing with there's some solid running backs here too but I think there is a chance that Utah will have success running the ball so I do feel like Utah's offense has an advantage against Baylor's defense how do you feel about that matchup yeah well what what struck me is interesting and I talked a lot about this talk about Baylor's offense throughout the week but Kyle Whittingham talked about at the beginning of the week too neither team felt good with their running game after against an FCS opponent I I looked at it with the bayor game I was I was obviously there and I'm like this just doesn't it's not jumping off the page at mean you look at the numbers afterwards no running back ran for more than four and a half yards a carry which you know in a big 12 game that's kind of whatever that's that's fine you could be productive doing that but I found it interesting that I was thinking that then Kyle Whittingham was talking about Utah and saying we didn't have anyone go for five we didn't go for five yards carry as a team we didn't go for five yards carry and that's where we need to be that's that's the standard that we're setting so both teams similar wins against FCS opponents you know 40 plus Point victories where they held teams to zero and three points but yet you're thinking ah they just I don't think they established the run enough which is very rare against an FCS opponent but in terms of this bayward defense it it needs to travel for the first time right there's there's only so much you could learn about an FCS opponent uh looking at the Personnel this bayor defense is better than last year uh it it just is Keaton Thomas is one of the guys I'm really excited about he's a Junior College transfer had a big week in week one he also he started his career at West Virginia so he's played some Big 12 Football before um and Jackie Marshall who was injured last year had a big week one so already personnel-wise it's better and having Dave Randa as your play caller is better than what you had last year you know this is a guy who's LED top 10 defenses for for years as a defensive cordinator before becoming a head coach at Baylor and so all already that stuff is an improvement from last year then again they did not face a cam Rising last week they did not face an NFL tight end room last week they they need to show us and show us of course in a in a hostile environment on the road if that defense can travel and if it's if it's solid to good do doesn't need to be great if it's good that could really change the Outlook I think for a lot of bayor fans I think an Avenue towards bowl game becomes much clearer if you see tangible steps taken by this defense uh but one thing we got to watch out for JT we were both wrong about this in our season preview and I'm gonna pin this one on you you told me Caleb loner wasn't gonna play you told me Caleb loner was not gonna be a threat the man is a Red Zone monster he's catching touchdowns already I what what happened there I am stunned I will say that I did not think that he would be contributing as well as he has because we've seen like the biggest thing we we were like in lock step story he's not going to play but here we've seen this before the most this oh he's gonna be good at football because he's athletic that that's not how it works but Caleb loners picked it up quick now I'm very curious to see against an opponent that is like of Baylor like I'll say I already feel like I was wrong for the amount I thought that K bler will contribute on the season but I am still curious like in these close games Gotta Have It moments where you know if you don't complete a pass you feel pretty good about your chances to complete the next pass because of who you're playing I'm curious if we continue to see a lot of Caleb loner because he did have a bad Drop In The End Zone too he pushed off a little bit before dropped it but he did have that catch in the second half now that was with the twos so I that's where once again I do think I don't expect to see Caleb a ton in this game you know how badly he wants to get the win here and it's gonna be fascinating because he is on the Utah depth chart I still think he's like their fourth or fifth best tight end but that still only after one game and it's a good tight end room so so really curious to see how much we'll see of Caleb loner and just really curious in general to see how all the facets of this matchup end up playing out we still got to break down more on both sides of the ball for this game and that's what we are going to be doing in one moment but first we have to talk with all of you about our friends at FanDuel Sportsbook you've heard us talk a lot about FanDuel America's number one sports book well we have something a little different for you now through September 22nd all FanDuel customers can bet $5 and get a three week free trial of NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube and YouTube TV then with a YouTube TV base plan you'll be able to watch every regular season Sunday afternoon out of Market game all you need is a Google account in a current form of payment and you can cancel anytime you can just visit fanduel.com and download America's number one Sportsbook today and if you download America's number one Sportsbook today you can bet on the Utah versus Baylor game the line is lofty it's 15 in favor of Utah right now cam I'll be honest I I this Utah team's good at home I we'll talk about that a little more in a second I think Utah is gonna cover right now where where are you landed on oh no they were covering that's that's some money in your pocket right there fanduel's gonna take care of you there trust me okay Cam thinks they're covering I think they won't we're about to talk more about why in a moment but if you guys want to able to bet on this game NFL action starts the great slate of college games we have this weekend you guys can head over and sign up at FanDuel sports book America's number one sports book today cam Stewart JT Wier still here as we are rocking and rolling with our Baylor versus Utah preview we didn't completely finish up everything with the defense so I will just say I think K Whittingham bringing up the running game is interesting because I know wants to see more and we haven't seen lead backs but it's also funny because dejon Stanley and McKai Bernard two of Utah's top three backs did average 5.7 yards per carry Bernard averaged 6.6 so at times Utah did have success running it I don't think they'll average that number against Baylor but I I still think that Utah will have success running the ball here so I do think that Utah is going there will be times Utah stalls as I said I think Baylor will get a little bit of pressure here but I do think cam Rising is capable of making those plays and I still for the life of me can't understand the negative discourse around his performance last week once again I think he's still shown the ability to scramble a little bit when the need arises that was his first game of college football since January like third of 23 for reference lock on you listeners I know I say this all the time but I still just find it crazy Tom Brady had played a game more recently until cam R so the fact that he was 10 of 15 and still with like we can pick his performance sure but like I I just still think that's where I have full confidence in cam I have confidence in his passing attack Dorian singer all of the weapons at Utah's disposal and I do expect Utah ain't getting 55 next week but I do think Utah has a good chance to Eclipse 30 at home yeah and so I was I was going to ask you about that is just the rust and and knocking it off I I think if you're G to lay out a a program for cam Rising here not bad man FCS right B you know who finished towards the bottom of the conference last year but still should be a step up right from an FCS team that's kind of a a a a tough kind of thrown in week two and then you take on a Utah State team that that you should be in in week three and so that kind of sets up nicely for that cam Rising aspect of it but yeah I mean I like this bayor secondary though I will say that was that was the one group I think we were all confident in going into the season Kaden Jenkins was was the breakout St as a freshman last year uh and looked pretty good when I watched in in week one so I I think this is the first big test for him in his sophomore season they're still youthful but I think pretty talented at that back end so I'm hoping that that that could cause some issues in the passing game at least early on in this one at least yeah it's gonna it's gonna be a fun matchup to see hey is Utah this passing attack we've heard a lot about it it looked really good last week can you do it against the Baylor secondary that has impr a Baylor defense that I do believe has improved so curious to see the game cam Rising has also fascinated to watch dcoin Finn and this Baylor offense against a elite Utah defense they pitched a shut out last week they have pretty much everyone back from a top five rushing defense a year ago now there is an injury in the secondary I feel like Utah still has the bodies to replace there and still be good is there going to be a drop off maybe a little bit but I feel like Utah this is all that's also talk about this when we're talk about the Utah defense because defense is where HomeField Advantage comes in so much right you can say offense to because the Stadium's quiet but when the stadium gets loud and I'm sure there's some of you that heard Drake tol talk about like it wasn't a great atmosphere last week but it's a big difference between a Thursday night FCS game and a Saturday game your first game against a big 12 opponent we've heard before Kirk herb Street has raved about the noise levels that Utah reaches on third down and if you're not one for like okay what's a little noise well let's just talk about how good this Utah team is at home they have lost lost one true home game post the 2018 season and that was because they lost in 2020 no fans in the stands that was to Baylor last year it took a top five at the time team coming into Utah's house or we can just say a top 10 team on the season and what Baylor ended up being to beat them at home and that's why I think dquan Finn and this Baylor offense have their work cut out for them because time and time again I see offenses come in and I see them short circuit have miscues and I know dcoin Finn also had those two interceptions last year there were a couple of three and outs in the first half I I like Utah's advantage on the defensive side of the ball going against a guy like dcoin Finn who looked good and at times last week but is also still settling into this new offense and has to travel to a place that is not quarterback friendly yeah and I will say too um from that standpoint Bor they didn't really play in a great environment last year uh Kansas State on the road was a day game it was towards the end of the season obviously they punched the place out and it's great but I'm talking big time environment they haven't played in one of those since they they played in Provo two years ago I'm not going to say if it's the best in the conference or not but it was a big time atmosphere man it was a night game it was a top 25 matchup that place was really really into it and so a lot of these guys haven't played in it one guy who has played in Big Time environments is dcoin Finn you're scratching your head cam he played it Toledo what are you talking about he played in big time environments he played at a half quarter full Ford Field for the MAC Championship yes but also has played pretty well at Ohio State and at Notre Dame in his career at Toledo so we're talking about a guy who's got a lot of starts under his belt that's not something that I I think will necessarily bother him the other guys we'll see this is an offensive line that's in progress in a in a loud environment um there there's a couple of their big time re receivers maybe haven't played in that kind of environment I'm looking at you know Ashton Hawkins played at Texas State uh Jamal Bell came in from Nevada so it's not like BigTime environments that these guys are are used to but there are some who are you know Dean Finn Michael Trigg was at USC and Old Miss uh katron Jackson was at Arkansas so there it's it's kind of a mixture of both and it's up to dcoin Finn's leadership I think you know one of those intangible things uh to to see how quickly they adjust to that because I I really I do like dcoin Finn I I I've given him plenty of critiques this week he is a good quarterback I don't know that he's as good a quarterback as he thinks he is sometimes when he's dropping back to throw throwing a lot off his back foot which is not going to work in the Big 12 so I I it it's got to be something where if taquin is in control of the game I like what this bayor offense can do even with limited guys in the back field they don't know um that Dominick Richardson is going to play he was essentially their starter last year at running back Bryson Washington probably not going to play so they have this four running back stable get Whitted down to two and one of the best mobile quarterbacks in the Big 12 which I think dcoin Finn is so it's up to I think I think the quarterback in terms of how quickly they can get settled in and play on the road because that's been that's been a problem the whole dayve Randa tenure I mean even when they went 12- two they lost both their games on both their loss this game on the road so it's still something that they're that this coaching staff needs to get adjusted to as well as these players but then again there there are some injuries on that Utah that side of the ball especially that Kenan Johnson one an outside cornerback I I gotta imagine I I know Whittingham says they're going to move a slot guy over there but I gotta imagine that's a step back yeah it's definitely a step back I think the biggest place where Baylor can hurt Utah and I know I just talked about Utah's Rush defense but I think it's dcoin Finn's legs I absolutely think he is such I totally agree with you he's one of the best runners in the Big 12 Conference at that position what he can do in the RPO game that Baylor ran last week it looked really good uh just the option game in general with him he's Utah before has had some difficulties with those types of quarterbacks Anthony Richardson shredded them in a couple years ago so I think that is what's going to be interesting and and I was gonna say Dave Randa said after the game he wished Finn ran it some more you know some of those rpos in fact I I one of them what that one of the picks was one that he definitely should have tucked it and ran and and might have you know made one guy Miss and got a touchdown uh so that is something that I think bayor will will dip into that bag of of what C how can dcoin affect this game with his legs and I think that that plays into a real good uh really well into Baylor's hands if Baylor wants to shock shock the Big 12 and go into the big 12's favorite HS and and beat Utah it doesn't come I believe with running backs running right up the middle and having success I just think Utah's defensive tackles and linebackers they're too good they're going to sniff that out but I think it can absolutely come from receivers making some plays downfield which is what happened in last year's game on a couple of Baylor drive and even one that almost ended up being a game setting up a game winner the craziness that happened the ending theatrics and then Finn not just scrambling but once again that read option game keeping it himself and getting to the outside because he has that ability to make Defenders Miss that's why I think dquan Finn can have success but he also did turn it over a few times yeah not just last year yeah before his career what's your confidence level in him taking care of the ball and a place that does have good success rate for turning over opposing quarterbacks yeah that goes back to where I say dcoin Finn's a good quarterback maybe not as good a thrower as he thinks he is um I I've been I I thought those were two bad picks man and and it could have been more could have been three or four he had one called back one go off a Defender hands um it's just I'm I'm going on the optimistic side of bayward did not open up the Playbook all that much against an FCS opponent I know Utah would have gone through the same thing with their FCS opponent uh but it just it looked like oh man when when did we see that in practice where that worked when did we see dcoin Finn have the arm talent for to work if if it's on the tape somewhere I'd love to see it um so yeah it's decision making and that's where I do get worried of of a guy who comes in he he is one of if not the best player on this team he's supposed to be leading the team he hears about how he needs to be the ex factor and how you know their head coach's job could be dependent on how well this quarterback does this year and he might try to make some things happen that can't that can't be made to happen in a place like rice tles um against a good team like this Utah defense uh I I I'm worried I am worried about that that decision making and taking care of the football yeah it's something where Finn is gonna have to play better than last week can he make that much of a turnaround against that big of a jump that's what we have to see and there are a lot of intriguing angles on this game and we've talked about a number of them so we got to predict how we think it's going to turn out can Baylor make early Big 12 statement will Utah try to make a big 12 statement in terms of announcing like Hey we're here and covering that massive spread that's what we are going to be talking about in one moment but first want to talk with you all about one of the sponsors of our locked on Utes and locked on Baylor crossover it's our friends at LinkedIn Talent Solutions when you're hiring for your small business you want to find quality professionals that are right for the role that's why you have to check out LinkedIn jobs LinkedIn jobs has the tools to help you find those right Professionals for your team faster and for free LinkedIn isn't just another job board they help you hire professionals you can't find anywhere else even those who aren't actively searching for a new job but might be open to the perfect role in a given month over 70% of LinkedIn users don't visit other leading job sites so if you're not looking on LinkedIn you're not looking you're just simply looking in the wrong place on LinkedIn 86% of small businesses get a qualified candidate within 24 hours you can hire professionals like a professional on LinkedIn 2.5 million small businesses use LinkedIn for hiring because small businesses they wear so many hats they might not have the time and resources to hire and that's where LinkedIn comes in and gives an assist to all businesses you can post your job for free at linkedin.com lockon colge that's all caps no spaces locked on College once again all caps no spaces linkedin.com lockon colge to post your job for free terms and conditions do apply J yes if I could because I know we're gonna we're g to get into predictions here and I know we said don't think about last game but I I couldn't stop thinking about it during the ad read yeah did you think it was pass interference the end of the game last year last year oh so this is the thing like we said I genuinely haven't watched that play in so long I but I'll be honest an answer I remember thinking it I remember thinking it was a good no call because of the situation of the game and that it was the right call to let him play out there I forgot that it was I was trying to remember exactly the controversy because you right the receiver for Baylor made the big play and Miles battle got bad bad coverage and then there was the close call in the passer FS I would have to watch it again to definitively say this is why it wasn't but I remember and will stand by I think a no call was the right call in that situation I thought it was I thought it was I thought it was pass interference I did then again I really it's it's one of the few times in my life that I've had this realization so quick like I saw the first replay and I was like yeah that was pass interference but like we shouldn't have won this game you know what I mean like you always say that in retrospect but this was the like the quickest it's ever hit me I was like yep should have should have been a you know a chance for a game tiing touchdown at the one or two yard line but n we we shouldn't have won you know we just gave up to two touchdowns the last three minutes of the game or whatever it was like yeah that probably wasn't it but I wanted to get your take on that okay so this is like classic homerism going at it I thought it was past interference you don't I haven't seen it in a year I just remember so definitively at the time being like that is pass interf yes it was quite the controversy I'd be interested to hear your guys' takes in the comments as well because I knew it would did cause uh quite the stir last year and uh you know last year's game Drake I mean excuse me CAM fine I fine I'll do it I'll rank cam Rising ninth in the in the conference I don't care and you know what I talk I'll keep talking about that atmosphere at BYU was electric best I've ever heard in anything ever oh I deserve that because because of that foul statement that I made say we both obviously we love Drake but I need to know my big 12 we I need to love I need to know my big 12 host cam please offer your prediction for this game first I told you Baylor was G to cover okay I think it's going to be a little lower scoring than people think I I wouldn't be surprised if nether team gets in the 30s um even for you know needing to improve the Run game you know what JT I'm gonna do it I'm gonna do it I'm gonna pick Baylor I'm gonna pick Baylor 2724 they get revenge for last year most of the guys weren't even out there but they get revenge for last year it's close of course 2724 bears this would be the type of win that in my opinion can go a long way to saving Dave randa's job huge when you look at the controversy and everything because I'll be honest we talked about this before the show I think Utah absolutely should be the 10th ranked team in the country right now if you look at how that Michigan team looked last week what they lost I think Utah should have vaulted Michigan they didn't but as great as a top 10 win is top 11 still pretty good as a new Big 12 fan by the way you do need to root for Michigan this weekend I I don't make the rules you just have to do but now that you're in the Big 12 even though that other team's not in the Big 12 you have to do it I'm sorry but this whole sign stealing thing I just don't like Michigan I mean who does but well I know yeah you're right but who Texas either so that's fair that's fair I wish there was a tie like in soccer or something yes please postpone it or something I don't know yeah unfortunately I don't think that Baylor's gonna cover in fact I do think Utah is going to cover I think dquan fin is going to turn it over a few times in this one I think that Utah defense is going to be very impressive I do think this one will be close in the first half I think Baylor will put together successful drives I think Utah will stall at points but I do think Utah will figure it out I think they will get rolling I think cam Rising has another big game in silences the few critics he has after this past weekend I feel like he's going to throw for a few touchdowns the Utah running game will look solid in this one as well and I'm going to go Utah to cover 34- 16 oh you're just like these Utah fans I keep hearing about this is this is it right here just think you're going to come in here and just walk all over everyone in this conference okay that's fair I thought you said I was like you have to come to us that's the difference from last year yes yes true true which I I talked about this off mic this is gonna be famous last words I have not run into these Utah fans yet I have heard about them I've seen them not at me I've seen them I know they're out there trust me but it hasn't happened to me yet we'll see maybe now is the time I get I get ropon as being arrogant as well too and I'd like to throw out there Utah can absolutely will there's absolutely a world where Utah will fall short of everything they set out to be but I also challenge any big 12 fan when you had all your conference like these guys who won new conference championships returning to your team you're set up with a favorable schedule where you literally play two ranked opponents as of right now on it like to not predict Utah to at least go 10 and two and like be right in the thick of the Big 12 I think if every other Big 12 team had the components that Utah had roster to schedule they would feel the exact same way that me and many Utah fans do in our confidence that Utah is going to get it done and I do believe that starts against Baylor but it's going to be fun just to get some Big 12 Football back can't wait for things to get underway on Saturday we are both coming back with shows before then too so you can check us out Friday as we'll be offering up some last minute predictions to see if daav Randa can make that really career defining win because it very well might extend his career or Utah will live up to the hype and look like one of the Premier teams in the conference cam I can't wait for it me neither this is this is fun Big 12 non Big 12 Football is so back the Big 12 Football that is not supposed to be Big 12 Football I'm here for it I don't know why I don't know why neither team could just scheduled someone else I mean we've done it on like a week's notice before but I don't care let's do it who cares let's play it someday 30 years from now our like grandkids or kids will be like dad did you know that the Utah Baylor game in 2024 was a non-conference game even though Utah just moved to the conference and we'll we'll get that tier like tell you yes we do get the T oh exactly it's gonna be so much fun though just like this was with you Cam thanks again for joining me thanks for having me I love our Crossovers and I love that each of our fan bases can get the varying perspectives big fan of that I do as well and I'm looking forward to seeing how this rivalry could potentially continue to evolve because it was a thrilling game last year will this year's be that's what we'll find out shortly but that will do it for this crossover edition if you guys want more locked ones or locked on Baylor make sure you guys check out our shows we come at you every day with Utah and Baylor content and we'll be coming at you as well after the game on Saturday that's going to do it for this crossover Edition but we'll be back soon talking more Utah and Baylor football