There is a lot of hype building for Dave Aranda’s Bears as he enters his 6th year at the helm. Will he bring them back to the top of the big 12 mountain? Some are skeptical, but I am here to tell you why he just might.
The Offense
Jake Spavital returns as the OC for his second season after putting together a very respectable “rookie” showing. Baylor finished 3rd in the Big 12 in both yards per game (440.1) and points (36.4) in conference play. The thought around most Baylor fans is that we should expect to see an even better offense in 2025 – which should terrify all the other fanbases. Sawyer Robertson has the highest QBR (83.7) in the country among returning quarterbacks and has his sights set on a huge year. I would put Bryson Washington up there with any running back in the country – yes he is that damn good. A former walk-on that wears #34 has no business scoring 10 TDs and racking up 750+ yards, but don’t tell that to Josh Cameron who is one of the many weapons this offense boasts in 2025. I am not going to pretend I am an expert on offensive lineman, but returning 4 of your 5 starters from a great offense seems pretty good to me. This offense should be one of the best in the Big 12 again and potentially in the entire country – be ready for some fireworks.
The Defense
Dave Aranda has a national championship as a defensive coordinator – why are his defenses so up and down? Would you believe me if I told you Baylor gave up more yards per game last year than a historically bad Florida State team? Look it up. You will find Baylor’s defense among the likes of NC State, Nevada, and South Alabama – not exactly elite company. That won’t happen again this year. Baylor added a few absolute units to the D-line in Adonis Friloux (346 pounds) and Samu Taumanupepe (376 pounds) that should bolster the trenches. Behind them you have a linebacker group that Aranda thinks is the best he has had in his time at Baylor. Keaton Thomas and Travion Barnes are absolute stud linebackers that should continue to build on their great 2024 seasons. The biggest area of concern for this defense is at the cornerback position.
This issue was addressed in the offseason by bringing in longtime TCU staffer Paul Gonzales to coach the cornerbacks who the team thinks can revamp a piss-poor secondary. With all that being said, you should expect a much tougher Baylor Defense in 2025. Show us why we should trust in that shiny bald head Aranda.
Special Teams
Yes kickers and punters are people too. I normally wouldn’t spend much time highlighting special teams players but Baylor has 2 legit game changers that need to be talked about. Punter Palmer Williams was recently named to the Second-Team Preseason All American and led all punters in the country with nearly 50 yards per punt last year. His longest punt was marked at 79 yards last season!! Elite Field Flipper. Freshman kicker Rhett Armstrong looks poised to make an immediate impact as well. Some places have him as a 5 star kicker, some say 3 star, – who cares. The kid made a 62 yard field goal in High School. That is all I need to know.
Overall Prediction
If you couldn’t tell, I am pretty bullish on the Bears this season. Opening the season with Auburn and SMU will be a tough challenge but could massively benefit them in the long run. I will give them a split in those games – Bears start off 1-1. Next up – Samford, Arizona State, and OSU. Baylor will be 3-2 after that stretch which may seem underwhelming, but don’t start bringing out the pitchforks for Dave Aranda just yet. Baylor will run the table the rest of the season as the schedule lightens up and finish 10-2, competing for a Big 12 Championship and a playoff spot. Feel free to keep receipts and come back to this if I end up being way off, but I have a feeling this team will be special.
There is a lot to like about this team going into the new season. Baylor will build on its hot finish in 2024 and make a statement in 2025. Sic ‘Em.
-Written by Blake Mire @Blakemire on X