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Every week, on top of the most comprehensive UB coverage on the internet, we also try to bring you a look into what the opponent's media is saying about the game. If you've got time, it's worth it to learn a little more about the opponent.
Happily, Baylor is our one opponent this season that has a dedicated SB Nation blog. Unhappily, they don't know a ton about Buffalo and have spent most of the week looking at their own team. Even so, there's a good amount of chatter out there in advance of tonight's nationally-televised matchup.:
I'll start with Our Daily Bears, the SB Nation home for Baylor fans.
First Look: Buffalo Bulls - Our Daily Bears
It's a battle of alliterative school/mammal combinations this Friday night on ESPN as your Baylor Bears take on the Buffalo Bulls.
In terms of posts themselves, this is it for this week's matchup, but I'd encourage you to check out our Last Bull In videocast from Wednesday night, when we were graciously joined by Mark Seymour, the head honcho at ODB, who chatted with us and answered our questions for a good 40 or so minutes.
Last Bull In - Baylor Bears - Bull Run
The Boys are Back to discuss New York Bulls Athletics
Much of the conversation - surprise, surprise - leading up to this game is the health of Bryce Petty. The Heisman-contending quarterback injured his back in the Bears' opener against SMU and sat out the 70-6 victory over Northwestern State.
Supposedly playing football will neither further aggravate the injury - a fracture of two tranverse processes in his back - nor will it slow the healing process in any way compared to pure rest. Even so, Petty is all anyone wants to talk about. This is disappointing to me individually, because I want to learn more about Baylor's young defense, which is supposedly improved on last year's already-outstanding crew.
Petty takes practice reps, is expected to play - WacoTrib.com: Baylor Bears Football
Baylor senior quarterback Bryce Petty has been going through practice reps, and is expected to play in the first road game against Buffalo on Friday.
Petty working into playing shape: back ‘sore, but not painful’ - WacoTrib.com: Baylor Bears Football
After missing Saturday’s 70-6 blowout of Northwestern State, Baylor coach Art Briles expects quarterback Bryce Petty to be back in the starting lineup for the first road game.
John Werner: Hard to hold back Baylor QB Petty for Buffalo game - WacoTrib.com: Baylor Bears Football
Walking the McLane Stadium sidelines in street clothes and a baseball cap, Bryce Petty did everything he could to be a good teammate Saturday night.
You can always, of course, count on the student newspaper - in this case the Baylor Lariat - to give you a nice, heartwarming story on the upstanding citizens that play football for your school. In this case, Petty and his back up Seth Russell are avoiding a QB controversy and good for them:
Mutual respect helps Bryce Petty, Seth Russell avoid QB controversy | The Baylor Lariat
Three previews of note, from Baylor's website, the Lariat, and the Dallas Morning News:
No. 8 Football Hits the Road to Take on Buffalo - Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site - BaylorBears.com
No. 8 Baylor Football heads to Buffalo, N.Y., to take on Buffalo in the Bears' first road game of the season Friday night at 7 p.m. CT.
Football prepares for road test | The Baylor Lariat
Five things Baylor fans should know about Buffalo | Dallas Morning News
The Morning News chimed in with two more blurbs, as well. The Bears will confront UB's attempt at a blackout by wearing all-white 'stormtrooper' unis, and the beat writer chimes in with his somewhat surprising prediction for the game.
Baylor responds to Buffalo blackout with all-white uniforms | Dallas Morning News
It's gameday and you're almost there. Just a few more hours of work. Happy reading and Go Bulls!