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Fox’s Tim Brando praises Big 12 balance and John Morris breaks down Baylor’s challenge

I first met Dave Aranda when he was fresh off Baylor’s Sugar Bowl victory, basking in the afterglow of one of the program’s high-water marks. A few days later, he would collect the Bear Bryant Award, a moment that seemed to signal the Bears were poised to remain a dominant force in the Big 12.

Since then, however, reality has been far less kind. Aranda’s record now sits at 19–22, a stark contrast to the promise of that magical run. If Baylor hopes to remain in the conversation among the league’s top-tier teams this fall, Saturday night’s clash with Arizona State has all the makings of a must-win.

The Big 12 as a whole continues to fight for respect. Much like Rodney Dangerfield, the league “gets no respect,” despite boasting eight undefeated teams at this early stage. Yet in the AP Top 25, the SEC and Big Ten continue to dominate the spotlight. Fox broadcaster Tim Brando believes the narrative is unfair.

“Craig, this league is SO good and balanced,” Brando said. “Arizona State should also be undefeated in my opinion. Just look at the depth of Iowa State, Texas Tech, and Utah.”

— McLane Stadium (@McLaneStadium) September 16, 2025

Back in Waco, the focus is on the matchup at McLane Stadium. Few know the program better than longtime play-by-play voice John Morris, who stressed that the game will be decided up front.

“I think the big guys up front are ultimately going to decide it, both lines, offensive and defensive,” Morris said.

When pressed on Baylor’s offensive line, Morris noted improvement but acknowledged the work ahead.

“Baylor actually ran the ball better last week in the win over Samford, but the run game is still not where Coach Aranda wants it to be,” he explained.

If the Bears can increase their physicality on both sides of the ball and limit the explosive playmaking of the Sun Devils, they’ll have a chance to not only secure a pivotal win but also regain momentum toward a Big 12 Championship chase that has eluded them in recent seasons.