Baylor Bears Fall To Wake Forest In Home Opener, 41-13

(Robert Griffin and the Bears look to use good field position to score on the Demon Deacons) *I apolidgize for the quality, the flash was on*

Waco, Texas - With schools back in session, college football fans around the nation await the return of their favorite teams to the gridiron.

Baylor and Wake Forest fans were no different and in front of a pumped up Baylor fan base, the Bears would stumble away licking wounds after being trounced by the Demon Deacons, 41 – 13.

The two teams met for the first time since the 1960’s.  Wake Forest entered the game the favorite, as they have an established team and a preseason top 25 placement. The Bears came in just looking to see what they'd have, as new a coach, new quarterbacks, and many other changes were going to take form over the four quarters.

The pregame atmosphere at Floyd Casey Stadium was great, barbecues and tailgating abounded everywhere—much like any other college venue—but to any Baylor fan, they know this will dwindle as fans lose hope on the team and season.

The game had a “should have guessed” type feel, with the Deacon’s jumping to a 3-0 lead and stuffing Baylor on two straight three-and-outs.

Baylor’s question of the starting quarterback was also quickly answered. Baylor Coach Art Briles gave the starting nod to Miami transfer, Kirby Freeman, but he looked nervous. Nothing seemed to click for him, as receivers were overthrown or just dropped the ball.

Before the issues got too out of hand, Briles replaced Freeman with true freshman, Robert Griffin, and Griffin showed why he had been widely adored as the recruit he was. He seemed to be the only life for the Baylor team on the offensive side of the ball.

Griffin would end the night 11-19 for 125 yards and would score his first touchdown as a Bear.

On defense, the Bears fought hard. The line handled the run well, and Baylor superstar, Jordan Lake, made virtually every tackle in the secondary. The defense kept the Bears in competition—the offense just did not do their part.

With little good news to report on the Bears' offense, the QB question is answered and Briles brought a decent running game. Jay Finley looked strong and until late in the game, when handoff issues and fumbles cost the team badly.

On the whole, the bad overshadowed the good, but every dynasty must start somewhere and there is some new life in the Baylor football program with Art Briles at the helm.

The Bears will face Northwestern State (Louisiana) in Waco on Sept. 6^th at 6pm central. Even facing a Division 2A team, the Bears should come prepared to improve.

Ken Armer is a former Baylor student and attends Baylor games avidly. His more notable positions on Bleacher Report are as an NHL and Dallas Stars Community Leader. He can be contacted on his profile or at [e-mail].