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Baylor Football Spring Game 2017: 5 things to watch for

By David Rouben

Dec 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Zach Smith (4) against the Boise State Broncos during the Cactus Bowl at Chase Field. Baylor defeated Boise State 31-12. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Zach Smith (4) against the Boise State Broncos during the Cactus Bowl at Chase Field. Baylor defeated Boise State 31-12. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Anu Solomon (12) drops back to pass against the Washington State Cougars during the first half at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Anu Solomon (12) drops back to pass against the Washington State Cougars during the first half at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

1. The QB competition between Anu Solomon and Zach Smith

After Seth Russell went down with a season-ending injury, Zach Smith took the reins from him. After his performance in the Cactus Bowl, where he threw for 375 yards and three touchdowns, the starting job seemed like his to lose. But once Anu Solomon arrived on campus, it made things a lot more complicated. And this ongoing QB battle is sure to be the biggest storyline all throughout the offseason.

Both Smith and Solomon have to deal with a thin offensive line, especially after Kyle Fuller declared for the draft. Even though Solomon is fresh off a major injury, that might impact Smith a bit more since he’s not a very mobile quarterback. In Solomon’s last full season, he averaged seven rushing yards on 61 attempts and ran for two touchdowns.

This isn’t to say that Rhule definitely favors Solomon, but he didn’t transfer to Baylor just to be a backup quarterback. That being said, don’t expect to find out who the starter will be anytime soon. These competitions can last all throughout the offseason – just last year, Michigan only settled on Wilton Speight as their starter on the first day of the season.

The two might find a way to earn playing time. They could very well split starts, or one could come in on red-zone situations. The Spring Game will go a long way to determining what Rhule has in mind with his two quarterbacks.

Next: 50 Best College Football Rivalries of All-Time

Spring games may be glorified scrimmages, but for college football fans desperately searching for something to fill the void, it’s hard to find something better. And while nobody’s expecting Baylor to win the Big 12, there’s no shortage of optimism surrounding this team heading into the season.

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