NCAAF 2021 Baylor Bears: Can Baylor Rise Again? August 13, 2021 Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports NCAAF 2021 Baylor Bears: Can Baylor Rise Again? August 13, 2021 By: Mike Halterman email Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article The Baylor Bears have several good seasons in recent years and have consistently recruited well especially in the skill positions. They have had great quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers, sprinkled in some very good defensive players with them and they had teams that were damn hard to beat. Can they get back to where they were before the Art Briles’ mess where they were good every year? Offense: The up and down Charlie Brewer era has ended and the Bears will have a new quarterback in 2021. The candidates are Gerry Bohanon and Jacob Zeno and they both have their strengths. Zeno has the bigger arm, but Bohanon is a better runner with the tools to be a more consistent passer. Translation: He is the the most trusted of the two. They have a new coordinator in Jeff Grimes who comes from BYU and brings an explosive style of offense with him. There is depth at running back with the speedy Tristan Ebner and Craig Williams. The receiving corps is experienced with R.J. Sneed, Tyquan Thornton, and Josh Fleeks. The offensive line needs to protect the passer better this year and be more consistent. Defense: The defense should be the strength of the team. They were good last year and they have ten starters back from that team. They return All-Big-12 performers in linebacker Terrel Bernard and safety-linebacker Jalen Pitre. Bernard will be joined by Dillon Doyle so the linebacker position is going to be among the best in the conference. The secondary is experienced and looks strong. The pass rush needs to get better and should get a boost from gigantic LSU transfer Siaki “Apu” Ika at nose tackle. Non-Conference Schedule: 9/4 at Texas State 9/11 Texas Southern 10/16 BYU The non-con schedule includes two lesser Texas schools and the Bears desperately need those two wins. The mid-October game with BYU is in Waco and that game in winnable. Conference Schedule: 9/18 at Kansas 9/25 Iowa State 10/2 at Oklahoma State 10/9 West Virginia 10/30 Texas 11/6 at TCU 11/13 Oklahoma 11/20 at Kansas State 11/27 Texas Tech The conference schedule features 5 home games and there are a couple of games against West Virginia and Texas Tech they should win at home. They have a chance against Texas and if they could upset Iowa State or Oklahoma they might be the surprise of the Big-12. There is a must win at Kansas and toughies at Oklahoma State and TCU. The finale at K-State could possibly be for a bowl game. Summary: Baylor is going to have to rely on their veteran defense until the QB situation gets settled. They could start off the year 3-0 with Iowa State coming to Waco. It is very possible that I have this team rated a tad bit too low but they are going to have to win all the games they should and upset someone along the way. That could very well happen. Predicted Finish: 8th Place in the Big-12. Overall Record: 5-7
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More