2022 Baylor Analysis

The defending Big 12 Champion, Baylor Bears have high hopes coming into 2022, especially with 14 total starters returning this fall. We see 7 on offense and 7 on defense and offensively, 4 out of those 7 starters came from one of the nation’s top offensive lines and looks to be that way again in 2022. With Gerry Bohannon looking to be starting again for the Bears at QB, the offense is ready to light things up once again. Bohannon had 2,200 yards passing, 18 touchdowns to 7 interceptions in 2021 and is only looking to get better. Though he may need help in the WR department. With leading receiver Denzel Mimms leaving for the NFL Draft, the Bears will have to find a replacement for him if they want to upkeep their offensive power. Defensively, the Bears are looking great; however, some of their key starters will be leaving the bears in 2022: linebacker Terrel Bernard, safety Jalen Pitre, cornerback Kalon Barnes and safety JT Woods. For Baylor, the key will be finding people to replace these holes in their Big 12 Championship team, luckily, we see that there is depth and experience coming to the bears in Fall of 2022.

The Bear’s schedule is manageable; however, they are traveling every other weekend and won’t get back-to-back home games until November 12 and November 19 when they play Kansas State and TCU respectively. From the looks of it, Baylor has 4 key games to play if they want to play in the conference championship again, 3 of them being on the road which makes those games difficult. As of now, the Big 12 doesn’t run through Waco but if they can pull out victories in at least 2 of their three road games while taking victories in their home contests they can likely be on their way to Arlington for the Big 12 Championship. On top of this, the Bears have to worry about a road trip to Provo, Utah to play future Big 12 opponent in BYU. Tough road games will make or break the Bears in 2022. Dave Aranda will have to get his team hyped week in and week out otherwise Baylor could be in trouble and possibly have more than 2 losses during their season.

Overall, I’m looking for Baylor to finish 10-2 with losses to Oklahoma and Texas, both games in which the Bears will be on the road. Baylor should cruise to an 8-0 start and be highly ranked before the Oklahoma game. Even though the Bears might lose the last game, they will still find themselves in Arlington in the Big 12 Championship looking to defend their title. Dave Aranda has instituted a culture change in Waco and Baylor continues to climb in college football and Aranda doesn’t look to be letting up anytime soon.