Baylor predicted to have ‘bounce back’ season after disastrous 2023 campaign

All might not be lost at Baylor under head coach Dave Aranda, even if it has seemed that way since the Bears stumbled to a 3-9 record in 2023. That included a 2-7 mark in Big 12 Conference play and was Baylor’s second consecutive losing season after going 6-7 in 2022.

ESPN’s Bill Connelly predicted that Baylor could be primed for a “bounce back” season in Aranda’s fifth season at the helm. If they don’t, it’s likely the last season he’ll spend in Waco.

From ESPN: “Aranda was pretty urgent in his attempts to turn things around this offseason, hiring offensive coordinator Jake Spavital (his third OC in five years) and bringing in potential new starters at quarterback (Toledo's Dequan Finn) and receiver (Texas State's Ashytn Hawkins) and throughout the offensive line and secondary. The Bears are projected to improve back to respectability, but it won't take much overachievement for them to rise quickly up the cluttered Big 12 ladder. Almost no outcome would be very surprising this year, be it another poor season and a firing or a huge rebound and Big 12 contention.”

Baylor opens the season on Aug. 31 at home against Tarleton State.