2010 NCAA football preview: Baylor
Winning is not something that the Baylor Bears have been known for doing a lot of. The last time they finished the season with more wins than losses was back in 1995. The last time they were considered a championship calibre team was a year earlier when they won the Southwest Conference; that was also the last time the team went to a bowl game (the Alamo Bowl, which they lost 10-3).
Reversing a losing trend is a daunting task. A number of coaches have tried since Chuck Reedy left following the 1996 season. Dave Roberts went 4-18 in his two seasons (1997-1998). Kevin Steele lasted a little longer, but did not really do much better (8-36 from 1999-2002). Guy Morriss started to give the Baylor Bear faithful a little more hope, but was still just 18-40 during his tenure (2003-2007).
The current coach bravely trying to end close to two decades of losing is Art Briles. Briles breathed life back into the Houston Cougar program before taking the job at Baylor. In his final two seasons in Houston he led the team to a 10-4 record (2006) and 8-4 (2007).
Over his two-year stay at Baylor he has led the Bears to four consecutive win seasons. What he has done in that time though, is gather an impressive amount of talent that could very well be poised to end the losing ways and even the bowl draught in Waco.
Offence
The best weapon the Bears had last season got hurt and was unable to finish the season; the good thing is that he was just a freshman, and Robert Griffith III should be ready to go when the 2010 season starts. When he did play last season he gave the fans a taste of what they are in store for; the dual threat quarterback passed for more than 2000 yards, 15 touchdowns, and three interceptions to go with 846 yards and 13 touchdowns rushing.
However, part of the problem last season was the lack of protection the line gave him. The offence was 96th in sacks allowed and 108th in rushing. Going into the 2010 season the line should at least be able to run block well. After adding some players and moving others around, the line will be full of big men (all will weigh at least 300 pounds).
Defence
Defensively the team was not too strong last season. The Baylor rushing defence ranked 12th in the conference; the passing defence was 6th.
In the secondary the starting cornerbacks return in Cliff Odom and Chance Casey. Both were serviceable last season, but could end up losing time to a pair of talented freshman, Prince Kent and Ahmad Dixon. A pair of seniors, Tim Atchinson and Byron Landor, are expected to hold down the safety positions.
The team will really need the front four to step up their production this year. As a unit the defence ranked 96th in sacks (eleventh in conference) and 98th in defending against the run (twelfth in conference). Sophomore Gary Mason Jr. will get the chance to start this season; in high school he was rated as one of the best weak-side ends in the nation. Zac Scotton will man the other end; he has yet to play much in college, but the former quarterback had 33 solo tackles his last year at Cypress Creek High School in Houston, TX.
The Baylor Bears have not had much to cheer for in years. They have not even had much of a reason to be optimistic. With some of the talent they do have coming back they should at least be able to make whatever they do a little more interesting to watch.
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