Photo by Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Breaking Down the Baylor Bears Win Total
2020 College Football Season
Baylor: O/U 7.0 Wins -- Title Odds:
The Baylor Bears will be looking to mirror their 2019 season. Baylor finished the 2019 campaign with a loss to Georgia in the AllState Sugar Bowl. Baylor finished the 2019 season with an overall record of (11-3), while going (8-1) in conference play. The offense averaged 33.6 points per game, which ranked 27th at the FBS level. The defense allowed an average of 19.8 per game, that was in the top 20. The program is under the direction of Dave Aranda. Aranda takes over Matt Rhule, who is now the Carolina Panthers head coach.
The offense was led by quarterback Charlie Brewer. Brewer passed for 3,161 yards, while throwing 21 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He also added 11 rushing scores. The quarterback will be entering his senior year during the 2020 campaign. The backfield was guided by John Lovett. Lovett rushed for 655 yards and 5 scores. The running back returns for his senior year. The program will have to overcome the loss of recent 2nd round draft pick, Denzel Mims. Mims collected 66 receptions for 1,020 yards, and 12 touchdowns. Tyquan Thornton reeled in 45 receptions for 782 yards and 5 scores. He will be entering his junior season and will be looking to build off of a solid sophomore campaign.
As a team the defense recorded 46 sacks, while forcing 30 turnovers. The defense was led by linebacker Terrel Bernard. Bernard had a team high 112 tackles. He returns for his junior season. James Lynch brought a consistent pass rush for the defense, recording 13.5 sacks. Lynch was drafted in the 4th round by the Minnesota Vikings. Linebacker Jordan Williams totaled 8 pass break ups and 3 interceptions, while defensive back Jameson Houston registered 8 pass break ups and 1 pick. Both were signed by an NFL team after the conclusion of the NFL draft. GaryLand Arnold was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent, after totaling 6 interceptions and 2 pass break ups.
Let us take a look at the Baylor schedule for the 2020 season.
Sept. 5 Ole Miss (in Houston)
Sept. 12 Kansas
Sept. 19 Incarnate Word
Sept. 26 Louisiana Tech
Oct. 3 at Oklahoma
Oct. 15 at Texas Tech
Oct. 24 TCU
Oct. 31 at Texas
Nov. 7 Oklahoma State
Nov. 14 at Iowa State
Nov. 21 at West Virginia
Nov. 28 Kansas State
The Bears will open the season against Ole Miss at a neutral site. The rest of the non-conference slate features Incarnate Word and Louisiana Tech.
The projected win total is set at 7 wins. Baylor will have a lot of whole to fill, especially on the defensive side. The program should not have any trouble putting up points, as Brewer enters his senior season. The defense should see a regression, as the defense lost a lot of talent to the NFL ranks. I’m going to side with the over, even though the defense will be down. The coaching change will be interesting to watch throughout the season. However, Baylor should start 4-0 on the season. The Bears have a real chance to go undefeated at home, which would mean Baylor needs just 1 win on the road in conference play. At worst, Baylor should finish 7-5, which would be a push.
Chris’s Pick Over 7.0 Wins
AUTHOR: Chris Smith
