Tension is boiling over in Waco after Baylor linebacker Mike Smith Jr. was seen in a heated sideline confrontation with defensive coordinator Matt Powledge during Saturday’s spring scrimmage. Cameras didn’t catch the exchange, but multiple fans sitting near the bench reported raised voices, finger-pointing, and Smith slamming his helmet onto the turf.
According to a source within the program, the argument stemmed from Smith’s frustration over play-calling and his role being minimized in recent practices. “He feels like he’s being iced out in favor of younger guys,” the insider said. “He’s not the only one upset.”
Though head coach Dave Aranda has tried to downplay the incident, saying, “It was just passion for the game,” whispers around the locker room suggest deeper issues. A second source claimed the defense is divided, with several veterans reportedly backing Smith and privately questioning Powledge’s new schemes.
Smith, who transferred from Liberty and quickly became a fan favorite, posted a now-deleted tweet Sunday night: “Loyalty is a two-way street.” That was enough to send Baylor Twitter into a frenzy.
Could internal discord derail Baylor’s defensive unit before the season even begins? One thing’s clear: the calm, disciplined Baylor culture is facing its first major crack.
