2025 College Football Big 12 Team Previews: Baylor Bears

Team: Baylor
Mascot: Bears
Student Population: 20,824
Established: 1845
Motto: For Church, For Texas, For the World
Location: Waco, Texas
Head Coach: Dave Aranda
Offensive Coordinator: Jake Spavital
Defensive Coordinator: Matt Powledge
2024 Record: 8-5

Rankings

SP+: 35
FPI: 33
Kelly Ford: 34

Power Rankings

CBS Sports: 4

The Bears ended their 2024 conference slate on a six-game winning streak as quarterback Sawyer Robertson and running back Bryson Washington emerged as perhaps the best at their respective positions in the Big 12. Both are back and the program has made major investments to remedy a struggling secondary. If improvements keep coming, Baylor could emerge as a serious contender. (+700)

SB Nation: 4

Baylor is a fascinating team going into 2025. After a fantastic turnaround in 2024, Dave Aranda and the Bears could sneak up on the top teams in the Big 12 this season. OC Jake Spavital and QB Sawyer Robertson return for another go round in Waco, and Robertson will have a lot of eyes on him. He’s one of the more impressive QBs in the conference, but I think he can still hit another level as a passer. What could help him reach that level is the addition of WR Kobe Prentice on the outside. Having an established veteran on the edge of the defense could make Baylor’s offense much more explosive. Retention also came out in favor of the Bears, returning four of their five offensive line starters.

Defensively, adding Tulane transfer Matthew Fobbs-White and Emar’rion Winston on the edge is going to help in the pass rush department, and Baylor returns five starters on that side of the ball. LB Keaton Thomas led the team in tackles, and now he’s joined by C-USA DPOY Travion Barnes who made 129 tackles last season. Experience and production in the middle of the defense, and some additions on the defensive line could make Baylor’s defense formidable. More production on the ball defensively could completely turn this team around in 2025.

24/7 Sports: 6

Was the six-game winning streak to close out the 2024 regular season a fluke, or is Baylor finally back to being a contender in the Big 12 under Dave Aranda? Quarterback Sawyer Robertson returns as one of the top passers in the nation after throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns last season. Baylor has experience across the board on offense, including stud running back Bryson Washington. Questions do remain on the defensive side, which is where the Bears must improve to be a legitimate contender.

Transfer Class Rankings

24/7 Sports: National Rank 48 | Big 12 Rank 9 (22 players)
Rivals: National Rank 52 | Big 12 Rank 10 (17 players)

Miscellaneous

Bovada Win Totals: 7.5

Athlon Big 12 Predictions: 5

After a 2-4 start in 2024, coach Dave Aranda’s tenure at Baylor seemed to be in its final stretch. But instead of a complete collapse in the second half, the Bears surged to six straight wins and finished 8-5 after a bowl loss to LSU. With a favorable home schedule and 12 returning starters, Aranda is expected to have this team in the hunt for a spot in the Big 12 title game.

Quarterback Sawyer Robertson’s development in the second half of ‘24 was a big reason why Baylor finished the year on a tear. Robertson threw 22 touchdown tosses over his final eight games and finished second in the Big 12 for the year in quarterback rating (153.09). With Robertson and coordinator Jake Spavital having another offseason to mesh, this offense can find another gear in ‘25. Aiding that cause is running back Bryson Washington (1,028 yards) and receiver Josh Cameron (52 catches). Four starters are also back to form a strong offensive line.

Aranda needs a little more from his defense to make the Big 12 title game in ‘25. The Bears gave up too many big plays (16 of 40-plus allowed) and surrendered nearly six yards (5.97) a snap in conference action. Linebacker Keaton Thomas headlines five returning starters, and Aranda added help for all three levels from the portal.