RELOAD: Dave Aranda’s BIGGEST CONCERNS Heading Into Spring Finale EXPOSES Defensive Woes!
As Baylor Football gears up for its much-anticipated Spring Finale, head coach Dave Aranda faces mounting concerns — particularly on the defensive side of the ball. What was expected to be a period of reassurance and fine-tuning has instead exposed critical weaknesses that could define the upcoming season if left unresolved.
During spring practices, Aranda, known for his defensive expertise, has been candid about the team’s struggles with consistency, tackling fundamentals, and depth, especially in the secondary and linebacker units. Sources close to the program indicate that communication breakdowns and missed assignments have been far more frequent than expected for a unit that prides itself on discipline and execution.
“We’re not where we need to be yet,” Aranda admitted earlier this week. “The effort is there. The intent is there. But execution, eye discipline, finishing plays — those things have to be sharper if we want to be the team we’re capable of being.”
One of the most glaring issues has been in pass coverage. During live scrimmages, opposing quarterbacks have repeatedly found soft spots in the Bears’ zone looks, while man-to-man matchups have occasionally turned into blown coverages. Safeties, expected to anchor the back end, have been caught out of position, leading to explosive plays — a major red flag in Big 12 competition.
Adding to Aranda’s concerns is the lack of proven depth across the front seven. Injuries have limited several key contributors, forcing younger players into bigger roles before they might be ready. While some flashes of potential have been seen, inconsistency has been the more common storyline.
The defensive line, a traditional strength under Aranda, has also struggled to generate consistent pressure, a troubling development considering Baylor’s heavy reliance on front-end disruption to protect the secondary.
Despite the issues, Aranda remains optimistic, emphasizing that spring is the time to identify and correct these problems rather than hide them.
“This is why you have spring ball,” Aranda said. “We want these mistakes to show up now so we can address them before it matters.”
Heading into the Spring Finale, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the defense responds. Will the Bears show signs of a quick turnaround, or will the defensive woes linger into the summer and fall?
One thing is clear: for Baylor to contend in 2025, Dave Aranda must find solutions — and
