Home Field Advantage Key For Baylor Bears After BYU Loss
116 decibels. That is the highest noise level the Baylor Bears dealt with at BYU on Saturday. For reference, a jackhammer registers at roughly 110 dB. A jet plane taking off is approximately 120 dB. 65,000 Cougar fans sit right in the middle.
Dave Aranda mentioned in his press conference on Monday that his view in the huddle was just "big eyes." Players both young and old were shocked by the atmosphere, and the team never recovered.
dave aranda on being in the huddle in front of BYU’s crowd saturday:
— drake c. toll, party animal. (@drakectoll) September 12, 2022
“i could see big eyes…”
said the team could’ve prepared better, but emphasized how intimidating the crowd was to the guys.
Cue this week's game against Texas State. There will not be 65,000 fans — supporting either team — in attendance this weekend. The pageantry will be dialed down. The pressure is off. And the nation is not turning its eyes to Waco.
That is a huge bonus for the Bears after what they endured last Saturday. It'd be kind to say the team was spooked last weekend, and there is a serious need to recalibrate this week. What better place to do that than the friendly confines of the Brazos?
It's tough to overestimate how crowds can alter a game. Last Saturday proves that Baylor would beat BYU at a neutral site. The game was 20-20 at the end of regulation.
Saying the game would play out the same way at a neutral field is downplaying the effect of the crowd. The final score was absolutely swayed by the atmosphere at LaVell Edwards Stadium, and the sweet embrace of home this week is the calming break the Bears need.
Sit back, relax and don't worry about needing eardrum surgery after this Saturday.
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