Baylor’s 23-13 win over Colorado pushed the Bears to 3-1, and now the focus shifts to where they might end up when bowl season arrives.
The latest projections are split on Baylor’s opponent, with ESPN offering two different possibilities. One path sends the Bears against North Texas, a 2-2 team that would likely enter as the underdog.
The Mean Green still bring an offense that can score in bunches, even after Eric Morris’ departure, but they have also had trouble getting stops. That would give DJ Lagway and Baylor a chance to put points on the board.
ESPN’s other projection has Baylor facing Northwestern. The Wildcats are 2-1 and have already shown they can handle themselves against quality competition, rolling past Colorado 41-7 in Week 3 before pushing Indiana in a 29-23 loss in Bloomington last Friday. Northwestern plays a physical defensive style, and with Chip Kelly at offensive coordinator, the offense has taken a step forward.
On3 sees Baylor remaining in Texas and getting an SEC opponent, with Kentucky as the projected matchup. The Wildcats have looked improved under new head coach Will Stein, highlighted by their 31-21 win at Texas A&M in Week 3.
That would be a tougher assignment for Dave Aranda’s team, especially with Kentucky’s ability to move the ball. The concern there is the defense, which has been vulnerable.
Another On3 projection has Baylor matched up with Army. The Black Knights are 2-1 and would present a very different kind of challenge thanks to the triple option.
Baylor’s new defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman would need a tailored plan for that one. Quarterback Cale Hellums has thrown for 186 yards in three games, and he also leads Army with 246 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
UTSA is the other On3 projection, and that one would bring another offensive test. The Roadrunners are 3-1 after an impressive Week 4 win over Colorado State, with their only loss coming against Texas in a 30-6 defeat in Week 3.
Veteran quarterback Owen McCown has been driving the attack, throwing for 862 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception. Even against a Group of Six opponent, Baylor’s defense would have work to do.
In Other News...
Baylors Close Win Revealed Who Carried The Offense And Who Didnt
Baylors first in-conference test turned into the kind of game that forces a hard look at where the offense really came from, and who was asked to do too much. DJ Lagway led the way for the Bears in the home matchup, piling up 221 passing yards and 116 rushing yards while helping push the offense to 23 points. He also hit Jadon Porter on a 33-yard touchdown pass, one of the few plays that consistently gave Baylor breathing room.
The bigger picture for Baylor was less about style points than survival, even against a Colorado team that went to Julian Lewis after halftime. Dawson Pendergrass added 85 yards on 16 carries, giving the Bears a steadier ground presence, but the game still underscored how much the offense ran through Lagway. For a team trying to settle into conference play, the win answered one question and left another hanging about how sustainable that formula will be. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Fans Already Have One Big Reason To Debate DJ Lagway
Baylors quarterback picture has already become one of the more interesting storylines of the season, even before the Bears have had much time to settle it. DJ Lagway opened as the starter, then missed two games with a right ankle injury, and Nate Bennett stepped in and won both of those starts. That kind of fill-in success can change the way a fan base talks about a position, especially when the team has now seen two different answers under center.
Lagway is still expected to stay in the job once hes healthy, and his contract status is part of why the Bears are likely to keep leaning that way. Still, Bennetts brief run gave Baylor supporters a real alternative to compare against, which is exactly how quarterback debates start to take on a life of their own. The Bears may have an answer for now, but the conversation around it is only getting louder. [Read more 🡒]
Baylors Offense Has A Red-Zone Concern Fans Cant Ignore
Baylors trip into the red zone against Colorado looked productive on the surface, but the finish told a different story. The Bears got there five times and came away with three touchdowns, a drop-off that stood out as their lowest red-zone touchdown rate of the season and a reminder that moving the ball and cashing in are not always the same thing.
DJ Lagways return from injury added another layer to the conversation. The starting quarterback was back on the field, but his limited mobility was noticeable and he missed several open receivers, which affected how the offense was called. Dave Aranda said Lagways health shaped the game plan, and Baylor will be watching closely to see whether further rehabilitation can help him operate more freely in the weeks ahead. [Read more 🡒]