Out and About: Will the Bears growl without Seth?

With Seth Russell out, grave tests lie ahead, while Baylor has a shot to prove system works.

For Art Briles, the decision to sign just one quarterback in each headhunting class comes down to fluid mathematics. Baylor would have some extra scholarships each winter to extend to the offensive or defensive line, where depth is historically at a premium.

Not concurrently, it’s now, eight years into Briles’s tenure that Baylor can put for the magnitude, flair and depth on both lines needed to fight for the National Championship. Besides, Baylor’s QB production has never been strained before by injuries, the situation flipped this season while Seth Russell has been knocked out following a neck injury and is set to miss at least 12 months of action as he recovers.

The best thing we can say about Baylor’s Seth Russell is that he is a master product of the system, someone who adapted quickly to it without any clumsiness.

It’s also the worst we can say as that’s the dilemma ahead as Baylor confronts its future without its starting QB. Second ranked Baylor’s march toward a playoff spot will now have go on without the star player who had been pretty much carrying the team before the season ending injury.

Art Briles said in a statement released earlier today that Russell is a top-notch player and he cites the spirit and will to fight will get him back onto the team roster and  that he will have to keep his spirits up as according to the doctors, he will take at least six months to recover from this neck injury and that he will be missed in the 2015 season.

The only things at stake here is the Big 12 title, a playoff push and possibly an invitation to New York.

Best case scenario is that freshman, Jarrett Stidham will step in to the QB spot and lead the Bears in the playoffs but in all honesty, the jury will be out on him. Replacing Seth was never really going to be an easy task anyway.

During a press conference, Art Briles stated that they have a lot of confidence in him, he’s a good guy who’s innately ready and athletically fit to play but we can forgive him for trying to take as many positives out of a bad situation as he can.

Stidham has been featured in every game so far, and has some extra time to prepare for his first start since the Bears are off this week before playing on Nov.5 at Kansas State.

The Bears are gearing up for what should be the toughest part of their schedule, starting with the crunch game against the Kansas State.

That game will be followed by a home game against Oklahoma before an away match up at Oklahoma and then the finale against Texas. Briles is confident that the team is going to be fine with the current roster but there’s an added pressure  with no Seth Russell around. However he’s completely aware of Stidham’s status and is ready to play the beats in the fields.