Robert Griffin III ’s big homecoming was supposed to be a celebration. A Heisman winner turned broadcaster, back in McLane Stadium, headset on, calling the very team that made him a household name. That sells itself. Except college football doesn’t always do fairy tales. Sometimes it just hands you a live mic and a crowd that isn’t buying what you’re selling.

This season was already shaping up as a pivotal one for both Baylor and Auburn. Dave Aranda had finally steadied Baylor’s ship after back-to-back losing years, grinding out an 8–5 season that looked like a turning point. On the other sideline, Hugh Freeze’s Tigers were staring down the prospect of a fifth-straight losing campaign and desperately needed to break the funk. In other words, Week 1 wasn’t just “let’s warm up the pads.” I

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