2009 Previews: Baylor

Posted 06/27 at 06:55 AM (0) Comments

We go to Baylor for Preview No. 11. Previews of all 65 BCS conference schools, plus Notre Dame and state schools, in no particular order, will run daily through Aug. 22.

I spent a large portion of last year’s Baylor preview lambasting Art Briles for bolting Houston for Waco. And it wasn’t just because he loses federal retirement benefits.

But, oddly enough, Briles actually seems to be crazy like a fox. The Bears were surprisingly frisky in 2008, going 4-8 but nearly beating Connecticut, Missouri and Texas Tech, and giving Nebraska a tough game.

This season shows reason for optimism for the first time since maybe Grant Teaff was roaming the sidelines for the Bears, and it starts, as it usually does, at quarterback.

Robert Griffin ran and threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns last season as virtually the only threat on the offense, and he’s back for just his sophomore season with a more veteran group.

He has tailback Jay Finley, who ran for a little over 800 yards, and his top two receivers in Kendall Wright and David Gettis.

Center J.D. Walton is a good one, but Baylor must replace No. 2 NFL draft pick Jason Smith at tackle. And you always hate to have to replace a tackle.

Defensively, the Bears return surprisingly intact. The unit will be led, as most are, by middle linebacker Joe Pawelek, who only made 128 tackles. And Briles and his staff expect him to be even more active this year with Penn State transfer Phil Taylor clogging up lanes at defensive tackle.

They have a solid safety in Jremy Williams, but aren’t so strong at cornerback, where they’re replacing both starters.

If things break just right the Bears might be in for some exciting things this season (at least for them).

Here’s the schedule:

Sept. 5: at Wake Forest
If you had told me 5 years ago this would be a battle of two mediocre teams, much less at least slightly above average, I’d have thought you were crazy. A win here is possible, but not likely.

Sept. 19: Connecticut
They nearly beat the Huskies in Storrs last season, and the Bears are better while UConn is worse.

Sept. 26: Northwestern State
Next

Oct. 3: Kent State
Ho-hum

Oct. 10: at Oklahoma
A good old-fashioned butt-kicking just in case the Bears start feeling too confident.

Oct. 17: at Iowa State
The Bears may be a lot better, but they’re still not as good as the vast majority of their conference brethren, so a win here is a must if they’re going bowling.

Oct. 24: Oklahoma State
I DOUBT THE FIGHTIN’ GUNDYS ARE GOING TO ALLOW A LOSS HERE.

Oct. 31: Nebraska
Some possible mild upset potential here, but don’t bank on it.

Nov. 7: at Missouri
Baylor might, might, be able to sneak a win here, but I doubt it.

Nov. 14: Texas
Another butt-kicking.

Nov. 21: at Texas A&M
You bring in a failed NFL coach and suddenly you’re worse than Baylor? Great hire, Aggies!

Nov. 28: vs. Texas Tech (at Arlington, Texas)
Playing in the new Cowboys stadium could be interesting, and a win is a mild possibility.

Phil Steele is virtually guaranteeing a bowl bid. In a weaker conference perhaps, but I just really don’t see where six wins are coming from. I say a 5-7 season is likely, with a bowl trip maybe coming next year.