32 Days till Kickoff: Baylor allowed the 32nd fewest yards per game in 2021

As always, keep track of both the stats and roster countdowns in the Offseason Hub!

Last season the Bears gave up on average 348 yards in each game. That was the 32nd best mark in the nation, but for Dave Aranda and Ron Roberts, there is still plenty of room to improve.

In his 12 years as either a defensive coordinator or head coach, Aranda has produced 8 defenses that beat 2021’s mark (both in yards allowed per game and in national ranking). 

Yards per game for each of Dave Aranda’s defenses at the FBS level:

• 2021: 348 YPG, 32nd Baylor
• 2020: 383.4 YPG, 47th Baylor
• 2019: 344.3 YPG, 31st LSU
• 2018: 338.7 YPG, 26th LSU
• 2017: 316.6 YPG, 12th LSU
• 2016: 314.4 YPG, 10th LSU
• 2015: 268.5 YPG, 2nd Wisconsin
• 2014: 294.1 YPG, 4th Wisconsin
• 2013: 305.1 YPG, 7th Wisconsin
• 2012: 322.1 YPG, 14th Utah State
• 2011: 387.4 YPG, 66th Hawaii
• 2010: 357.6 YPG, 51st Hawaii

Yards allowed is clearly not the be-all-end-all of defensive statistics, points allowed probably has the inside track there. The 2021 Bears’ defense was 10th in points allowed nationally with 18.3 per game.

Looking forward to the upcoming season, the pieces are there to improve on last season’s yards per game mark. The defensive line returns great talent from Siaki Ika to Gabe Hall and Cole Maxwell among others. They also added Jaxon Player from Tulsa so the front will be stout. 

The linebackers behind them should be very good as well with Dillon Doyle and Will Williams or Josh White. The secondary is less experienced but, the athletes are there. If they put it together, a statistical improvement from last year is a distinct possibility.