No. 21 Oklahoma State | No. 23 Iowa | Top 25
No. 22: Baylor
Last Season: 10-3 (6-3 Big 12)
The Bears dropped in everybody's rankings after firing Art Briles in May and subsequently losing nine recruits and two quarterbacks. Interim coach Jim Grobe inherits a depleted roster and a shaky defense, but QB Seth Russell (29 TDs, 6 INTs) and running back duo Shock Linwood and Johnny Jefferson stuck with the team. Baylor has an easy start to the season and could open as strong as 6 -- 0 if it can beat Oklahoma State. The Bears will need those early wins heading into a brutal second half: Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and West Virginia -- all away from home.
Baylor's chances to win each game
09.02 vs. Northwestern State: 99.5%
09.10 vs. SMU: 93.9%
09.16 @ Rice: 94.2%
09.24 vs. Oklahoma State: 42.5%
10.01 @ Iowa State: 81.4%
10.15 vs. Kansas: 95.8%
10.29 @ Texas: 48.5%
11.05 vs. TCU: 63.2%
11.12 @ Oklahoma: 14.7%
11.19 vs. Kansas State: 81.7%
11.25 vs. Texas Tech (AT&T Stadium): 70.2%
12.03 @ West Virginia: 43.9%
The Bears still have plenty of firepower on offense and a schedule that sets them up for their typical strong start, but a lack of depth on both lines becomes problematic late in the season. This Baylor team rallies under pressure and produces a solid 8-4 year. -- Max Olson
No team will have to deal with more distractions than Baylor, which endured several roster defections in the wake of how the school handled sexual assault allegations. The Bears still have plenty of firepower, but the lack of depth will cause them to go 8-4. -- Jake Trotter
No. 21 Oklahoma State | No. 23 Iowa | Top 25
