Klanderman's First Night in Charge Is a Space Game: Baylor's Top-Tier Defense Meets a UCF Team Riding Its Biggest Win Ever

By Mac Rivera, RF Sports Radio Baylor voice

Sic 'em, Bears fans. A week ago Baylor had a head coach. Tonight Joe Klanderman walks onto the field in Orlando as interim head coach, in the loudest, strangest environment on the Big 12 calendar.

The facts

Baylor (4-3, 2-2 Big 12) plays at UCF (4-3, 2-2) tonight at 6:30 p.m. Central on ESPN at the Acrisure Bounce House. It is UCF's 10th annual Space Game, with the Knights playing as the "Citronauts" in space-themed uniforms, per Underdog Dynasty. Baylor leads the series 2-1 and won 30-3 last November.

Klanderman keeps his defensive coordinator duties after Dave Aranda was fired. Underdog Dynasty reports his 3-3-5 defense jumped from 122nd to 19th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 16.1 points a game. Last week's 25-24 loss to Kansas was the first time Baylor allowed more than 17 points all season. The Bears average 3.9 sacks a game, third nationally, led by Garrick Ponder's four, and they have 13 takeaways. Safety Micah Gifford has three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

The offense is the problem. DJ Lagway averages 270 passing yards but completes 56.4 percent, 124th in FBS. Gavin Freeman has 58 catches, second-most in the country. Baylor has not had a 90-yard rusher all year and was held to 54 rushing yards against TCU.

UCF is coming off a 39-31 double-overtime win over No. 2 BYU, the first top-5 win in program history. Quarterback Keyone Jenkins threw for 293 yards and three touchdowns, and Scott Frost named him the starter. UCF will play without strong safety Demari Henderson, hurt in that game, per Underdog Dynasty.

RF Sports Radio's take (opinion)

My take: this is the best possible spot for an interim debut, and I mean that. Klanderman does not have to reinvent anything. His defense is the identity of this team, and UCF is coming off the most emotional win in school history. Letdown games are real.

The danger is explosives. Baylor has given up 13 passes of 30-plus yards, and a freshman like Tyren Hornes, who had 137 yards last week, is exactly who hurts you. Keep everything in front, let the pass rush do the work, and make Jenkins earn it.

On offense, I want Baylor to stop pretending. Get Freeman the ball early and often. If the run game is not there, do not force it.

What to watch next

Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. Central. Watch the sack count, Baylor's third downs and how the team responds to its new boss. For our look at the pass rush, read our Oct. 29 Baylor pass-rush column, and follow the Bears on our Baylor Football page.

Radio question: does a coaching change spark Baylor tonight, or does UCF's Space Game crowd swallow an interim staff?

Sources: Underdog Dynasty - 2026 Space Game preview: Baylor at UCF; Baylor Athletics - Game notes vs. UCF; Palm Beach Post - UCF vs. Baylor predictions and scouting report.