Baylor and the schedule made from heaven

In 2017, Baylor was a 1-11 team that lost to Liberty and UTSA. Go into the Big 12 and they got rolled by the entire conference, expect that lone win against Kansas. The next season, in 2018, Baylor magically turned it around and became bowl eligible. How? They beat their easy non-conference opponents (Abilene Christian, UTSA), and beat the bottom of the Big 12 (Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech). The Bears turned that into a Texas Bowl win against Vanderbilt. Baylor has a chance to not only do that again this year, but to improve on their record of 6-6 from 2018.

Looking at this upcoming season, the Bears have another great opportunity to improve on their record? Why? Their schedule, especially their non-conference, is one of the easiest in the entire country. They get to play a FCS team, and two teams from Conference USA, one of which had 11 losses last season. Add in where they get to play their Big 12 opponents, and Baylor has a good chance at improving on those six regular season wins from last season.

First let’s talk about who is returning for Baylor. Charlie Brewer is returning from a season where he threw for 3000 yards and has some slight talks of Heisman talk behind him. Their leading rusher and second leading receiver in John Lovett and Denzel Mims, respectively. Leading tacklers Clay Johnston and Chris Miller return, as does sack leader James Lynch. The Bears are keeping a lot of the talent that gained them five wins last season.

As for the schedule, their first three games are laughable. With a combined 7-27 record last year, Baylor will play Stephen F Austin (5-7), UTSA (3-9), and Rice (2-11). Not only could Baylor be favored by a combined 100 points in these three games, but they could also most likely cover in all three of the games. If Baylor does not start the season 3-0, one of these games will be one of the great upsets of the season. Baylor should win each game in the first quarter.

Transition over into the Big 12, where things obviously get harder, but the teams they play at home and pretty favorable. Baylor is getting the three best teams of the conference, at home. Iowa State, Texas, and Oklahoma, all visit Baylor this year. Add on West Virginia and Texas Tech, and Baylor has two winnable games with three chances to pull of major upsets. Switch over to when Baylor is on the road, and there is only a couple challenges. TCU is expected to be better than their 6-6 record last year, Oklahoma State is looking to have a bounce back season, and the two schools from Kansas are bringing in new head coaches with very little expectations.

If Baylor wins where they are expected, they are going to improve on their 6-6 regular season last season. Non-conference opponents Stephen F Austin, UTSA, and Rice should be cakewalks. Beat struggling programs Texas Tech, West Virginia, Kansas, or Kansas State, and you’ve already improved with seven wins. Any kind of upset against the Big 12’s three or winning as underdogs against Oklahoma State or TCU, and they are at eight, maybe nine wins.

This is for a huge opportunity for the Bears to show people they are back to being relevant at football. With all of the controversy around the school’s program and an abysmal 1-11 season, the Bears need a good season to keep on track. Next year, they have a series beginning with Ole Miss, which will take away one of their free wins every year. This is an opportunity for the Bears to reach a good bowl game and make a name for themselves.