Baylor football: 3 takeaways from Armed Forces Bowl loss to Air Force

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Dec 22, 2022; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Blake Shapen (12) passes over Air Force Falcons defensive end Jayden Thiergood (48) during the first half in the 2022 Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The Bears may need to hit the transfer portal at quarterback

Blake Shapen had an up-and-down 2022 season and you could say that he probably wasn’t as effective and efficient as Dave Aranda would have hoped when he stuck with him in the offseason, forcing Gerry Bohanon to transfer. Jacob Zeno, CJ Rogers, and, most recently, Kyron Drones have all transferred from the quarterback room since last winter.

While Shapen may be the starter for 2023, he needs someone to push him. He needs multiple guys to push him because if the Bears don’t have anyone, he’s not going to improve.

Sure, 2,700 yards and 18 touchdowns is a decent year, but it’s not enough to lead a team to reach its lofty goals. He also threw 10 interceptions which isn’t a great touchdown-to-interception ratio. He needs help behind him or someone to challenge him for the starting job.

Shapen wasn’t great against Air Force, going 11-for-23 for 188 yards and two touchdowns. That was a sign for Aranda to go out and find another guy in the portal, especially after losing Austin Novosad to Oregon on signing day.

Aranda needs to find a quarterback in the portal or before February’s signing day.

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