Baylor Bears 2016 NCAA Football Preview
BAYLOR BEARS
Big 12 Conference
2015 Record – 10-3
ATS – 6-7
2016 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating Rank
Big 12 Conference #6
2015 Recap
Another successful campaign for the Bears. Baylor used seemingly a dozen QBs last season due to a rash of injuries but still managed to win 10 games. That brings their 3-year record to an impressive 32-7. Baylor averaged a comical 60+ points per game over the first seven games of the season but could not sustain their momentum once the 11th string QB had to take some snaps. The Big 12 Title was lost, but in one of the most amazing transformations we can recall, Baylor essentially played without a QB in their bowl game and just (yawn) ran for a ridiculous 645 (!!) yards on the way to a 49-38 victory over North Carolina.
As a result of some serious and disturbing news, HC Art Briles was terminated from the program in May and replaced by former Ohio and Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe.
2016 Preview
OFFENSE
Ok. The defenses he played against were not the best -BUT – Seth Russell threw for over 2,100 yards and 29 TDs in only 7 games. Russell is back for the 2016 season but there is a serious lack of depth at the position. Given that Russell had a neck injury last season, it is not a stretch to think that Baylor might have to call on a very inexperienced signal caller to handle some snaps.
Star WR Corey Coleman was a first round NFL draft pick and will be missed. Coleman snagged 20 balls for TDs and tallied over 1,300 yards receiving. Speedster KD Cannon returns to the unit but otherwise there is a bunch of unproven talent.
Baylor’s offense should still click because they are incredibly deep at RB. Baylor returns TWO 1,000-yard rushers in Shock Linwood and Johnny Jefferson along with a huge offensive line. However, the line is a lot more inexperienced than last season’s version which paved the way for 5.9 yards per carry while allowing only 15 sacks.
DEFENSE
Baylor allowed less than 400 yards per game each of the last three seasons. They also recorded 30+ sacks in each of those campaigns. There is a major concern at DL this season as the Bears will feature an entire new starting unit. Only five starters return to the defense as a whole. Working in their favor is the fact that the LBs look pretty good and the secondary is solid.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK Chris Callahan is back to handle the FG duties and he was just 8/13 last season including 0/3 from 40+ yards. P Drew Galitz did a fine job in 2015 as did KR Chris Platt. This group is going to be really important since the offense may not be the same video-game spectacle that it was from 2011-2015.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 3.5
MEGALOCKS says:
Will Jim Grobe be able to steady the ship ? There is a ton of talent remaining on this roster and the first three games should provide ample opportunity to gain confidence before the Big 12 schedule starts.
Overall, we give the BEARS a 3.5 ATS Value Rating (Below Average) this season. We cannot be too optimistic for the Bears’ chances against the number this season. They were only 13-12-1 the past two seasons ATS with an incredibly well-oiled machine. The fact that the offense will still be prolific makes us believe the lines may still be a touch inflated in their favor especially early on in the season. The concerns on the offensive and defensive lines will probably prevent us from getting too interested ATS on a regular basis.
Want more Baylor Bears football ?
Website
http://www.baylorbears.com/sports/m-footbl/bay-m-footbl-body.html
Forum
http://www.scout.com/college/baylor/forums/2904-baylor-sports
http://www.baylorfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=6
http://baylor.247sports.com/Board/Baylor-Bears-Message-Board-Forum-59417
News
http://www.wacotrib.com/sports/baylor/football/
http://bleacherreport.com/baylor-football
http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/baylor-bears
https://twitter.com/BUFootball @BUFootball
https://twitter.com/JohnWernerTrib @JohnWernerTrib John Werner
https://twitter.com/suzhalliburton @suzhalliburton Suzanne Halliburton