2016 season: 7-6, 3-6 in the Big 12
Head coach: Matt Rhule (1st season)
Despite a 6-0 start last year, the Bears finished the 2016 regular season on a dismal six-game losing streak. After a defensive fallout and a season-ending injury to its starting quarterback last year, Baylor will now turn to first-year head coach Matt Rhule and its veterans to help right the ship entering 2017.
Quarterback Zach Smith will lead the Bears offense full-time after starting the last four contests of 2016 in place of Seth Russell, who dislocated his ankle. The sophomore struggled with accuracy in his brief starting stint last season, however, as he was intercepted seven times in just four starts.
On the defensive side of the ball, Baylor enters the season with plenty of uncertainty. The Bears were unable to contain opposing offenses last season when they surrendered more than 35 points in six of their final eight regular-season contests. And after losing three of their top-four tacklers from last season, the defensive struggles will likely continue.
Baylor’s schedule should not help them win games either. The Bears have a brutal stretch from Sept. 23 to Oct. 28 during which they face five consecutive opponents ranked in the AP's preseason top 25. If they fail to get at least a victory or two during this string of games, a winning season may be a stretch for Baylor in 2017.
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Digital Strategy Director for Vol. 115, Michael was previously Sports Editor for Vol. 114 and Assistant Blue Zone Editor for Vol. 113. Michael is a senior majoring in Statistical Science and is interested in data analytics and using data to make insights.