The first season under head coach Matt Rhule at Baylor was a tumultuous one and there really was no avoiding it. The program was in flux and even if the Bears finished with a better record than 1-11, the shadow of Art Briles and the sexual assault scandal was still firm in everyone’s mind. But now it’s time for the rebuilding process to begin. Are the Bears ready to win again?
Baylor 2018 regular season win total
Over 5
Under 5
Odds courtesy of BetDSI Sportsbook
What Happened Last Year
Under new leadership and coming off of a down 7-6 season in 2016, not a lot was expected in 2017. But nobody expected 1-11. After Liberty and UT-San Antonio both came into Waco and left with wins, it became clear that this truly was going to be a season to forget. With an 0-8 start to the season, Baylor finally got some relief with a win against Kansas.
What Will Change This Year
What will change is that this season the Bears will have a bit of stability. Quarterback Charlie Brewer is no longer a freshman, he’s now a sophomore and defending Co-Offensive Freshman of the Year leading the Bears. Also back will be Brewer’s go-to guy Denzel Mims after hauling in 61 receptions for 1,087 yards and eight touchdowns. Senior receiver Chris Platt is also back after catching 16 passes for 401 yards and five touchdowns in only four games.
On defense Baylor didn’t have one run away leading tackler on the team. Linebacker Clay Johnston is the leading returning tackler after recording 54 tackles, nine for loss. Sophomore cornerback Harrison Hand and senior safety Verkedric Vaughn are both back after recording 42 tackles each. Senior defensive tackle Ira Lewis will return after recording a team high 11.5 tackles for losses and 5.5 sacks.
While the Bears have many returning players across the board, what really brings promise to the program are the newcomers to Baylor. Rhule’s first full season of recruiting ended with the No. 24 ranked class according to ESPN. Part of that class includes the No. 1 junior college offensive guard Johncario Valentin, No. 16 offensive tackle Connor Galvin, No. 23 wide receiver Joshua Fleeks, No. 14 cornerback Byron Hanspard and No. 10 quarterback Gerry Bohanon.
The misery that was the 2017 season is now behind the Bears, but just how far?
Outlook & Prediction
Once again Baylor begins the year with what looks to be two wins against Abilene Christian and UTSA and if the Bears learned anything for 2017 it’s that they can’t sleep on anyone, especially the Roadrunners. Baylor will also welcome in the likes of Duke in the non-conference, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU and Texas Tech. The Bears will travel to UTSA, Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia and Iowa State.
Baylor will be vastly better in 2018 by jumping in the win column. But rebuilding the program is a process and the next step isn’t a winning record, it’s being competitive. Six wins is possible, but unlikely.
