Baylor Bears Week 1 Preview: Albany Great Danes

The Bears will kickoff the season at McLane Stadium against the likes of FCS Albany on Saturday

(Photo by Kathleen Helman for UAlbany Athletics)

New year, new season, same results? That's the hope for Dave Aranda and Baylor entering Year 3 of what's looking to be successful marriage on the rise in the ranks of college football. 

Everything that could have gone right for Baylor in 2021 did. The Bears rebounded after a 2-7 start in the first season of the Aranda era to win monumental matchups over programs such as Texas, No. 18 BYU No. 14 Iowa State and No. 8 Oklahoma. Behind the arm of quarterback Gerry Bohanon and the play design of offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, Baylor picked up its first 12-win season in program history. 

The Bears would go on to defeat Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship before taking down No. 7 Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl. And while several key players have departed the program, confidence is high in Waco with the return or Aranda, Grimes and the potential upside of sophomore quarterback Blake Shapen. 

Everything is about building for the future. The Bears will have high hopes to repeat as conference champions and should start the season off on the right note against FCS Albany in September. Of course, college football is entirely weird and anything is possible, right? 

Be sure to stick with InsidetheBears.com as we preview every aspect of the matchup with the Great Danes throughout the week

Albany Great Danes

2021 Record: 2-9 (2-7 in CCA)

Head coach: Greg Gattuso

Gattuso is 35-52 in eight seasons as the Great Danes' head coach 

Offensive Set: power run-heavy offense

Defensive Set: 4-3

Returning starters on offense: N/A

The Great Danes struggled to find any consistency on offense last season, especially in terms of the passing attack. With sophomore quarterback Jeff Undercuffler electing to transfer to Akron this offseason, Gattuso elected to name Old Dominion transfer Reese Poffenbarger his Week 1 stater. 

Saturday will mark the first time Poffenbarger has played in a college game after redshirting for the Monarchs in 2021. His leading receiver, Roy Alexander, is also set to return following his three touchdown freshman campaign. 

Projected offensive starters:

QB Reese Poffenbarger

RB Todd Sibley 

WR (Z) Roy Alexander*

WR (X) Jackson Parker

WR (SLOT) Tyler Oedekoven

TE Thomas Greaney

LT Scott Houseman 

LG Ozzie Hutchinson*

C Kobe Thomas*

RG Mohab Omer

RT Will Marotta 

Returning starters on defense: N/A

The Great Danes' defense had far too many lows in 2021 on the way a last place finish in the conference. Opponents averaged 26.1 points against them last fall. Albany is set to replace defensive back Tyler Carswell, who finished with a team-high two interceptions in coverage and four pass breakups. Both linebackers AJ Mistler and Danny Damico are set to return up the middle. 

Projected defensive starters

DL: Anthony Lang*

DL: Ronnell McCorn 

DL: AJ Simon

DL: Elijah Hills

LB: Danny Damico*

LB: AJ Mistler*

LB: Jackson Ambush 

CB: Brad Igweike 

S: Larry Walker Jr. 

S: Samaj Brown 

CB: Elijah Ayers 

NICKEL: Christian Lewis 

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