Baylor Football Moves up to No. 9 in AP Poll and No. 8 in Coaches Poll

The Baylor Bears have moved up in both national polls after the first full week of the college football season. The team is now ranked No. 9 in the AP Poll and No. 8 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

The Bears took care of business in their season-opener against Albany Saturday night in Waco, winning 69-10.

Blake Shapen was 17-for-20 with 214 yards and two touchdowns in his first start since winning the Baylor QB competition in the spring. Dave Aranda’s defense allowed just 237 total yards of offense, 10 first downs and 10 points. 

Baylor’s move up in both polls is thanks to Utah’s fall from No. 7/8 to No. 13/15 after its 29-26 loss to Florida on Saturday. In the Coaches Poll, Baylor also moved ahead of Notre Dame. The Irish dropped from No. 5/5 to No. 8/9.

Up next for the Bears is a trip to Provo, Utah to face off against the No. 21/25 BYU Cougars, who earned a ranking in both polls this week after being unraked in the Coaches Poll and No. 25 in the AP through the preseason.