Baylor players eager for chance to avenge loss to Auburn

WACO, Texas (FOX 44) -- The countdown to Auburn is on.

After hearing from Baylor coach Dave Aranda on Monday, it was the players' turn to speak Tuesday following practice about the Bears' season opener against the Tigers on Saturday in Atlanta.

Baylor will travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a rematch with Auburn, for their season opener. The stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons, is about a two-hour drive from Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Bears haven't forgotten last season's 38-24 loss to Auburn at McLane Stadium. This time, they're looking to flip the script.

Senior punter Palmer Williams said the loss remains on his mind, particularly his own performance.

"I played bad against them last year and that's been like, I've watched that film about 100 times," Williams said. "Those games where you play bad and we lose ... I let the team down. And so I've had this one circled for a long time."

Williams said he wants to use the rematch as an opportunity to respond.

"I'd really like to do well on Saturday," he said.

Junior linebacker Kyland Reed also pointed to his performance in last year's game as motivation.

"Just the way I played in that game," Reed said. "Just looking to play, looking forward to playing better, being a better person for my team."

Reed said Baylor is prepared for the challenge Auburn presents.

"They got some good players, but at the end of the day, football, I think we are prepared," he said. "I think our coach does a good job of getting ready so we can go out there, play hard."

Baylor is coming off a 5-7 season but enters this year looking to turn the page.

Offensive coordinator Jake Spavital returns after leading the Big 12's top passing attack last season. The Bears also have a new defensive coordinator in Joe Klanderman, who takes over after building strong defensive units at Kansas State.

The season opener will provide Baylor with a different setting as well.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium can hold more than 71,000 fans, significantly more than the roughly 45,000 seat capacity at McLane Stadium. The Bears have spent the week preparing for the larger venue and unfamiliar surroundings.

Williams said he is looking forward to playing in another major stadium.

"That's pretty cool with playing in like those big venues, like playing at NRG back in 2024," Williams said. "That was awesome. It's cool to just go in those places and kind of look around and go, 'Wow, this is big time.'"

Fifth-year wide receiver Louis Brown IV said the Bears have emphasized visualization and preparation so the atmosphere doesn't become a distraction.

"When we talk about imagery, you know, in a team room like visualize it before you get there," Brown said. "Don't wait to game time and, you know, see the lights and see the big stadium."

Brown said the team has already seen images of the stadium and locker room as part of its preparation.

"You just can't make the moment too big," Brown said. "We've been playing football most of our lives."

For several Baylor players, Saturday provides a chance to erase some of the memories from last year's loss to Auburn.