Athlon Sports Ranks Baylor Football Middle of the Pack in Big 12 Power Rankings

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After a 2022 season that Dave Aranda admitted was disappointing, the Baylor Bears have been placed 6th out of 14 in Athlon Sports' “Big 12 Football: Spring 2023 Power Rankings”. 

The Bears have lost seven starters off of their offense and will have a battle for the starting quarterback position. The 2022 offense averaged 32.3 points per game and 413.8 yards per game.

Steven Lassan over at Athlon offered this on the Bear’s offense:

What to Watch on Offense: The Bears need more out of their passing game and quarterback Blake Shapen to return to the Big 12 title game. This spring is all about improving this area, as well as restocking a line that lost four starters. A couple of additions from the portal should speed up the development in the trenches. 

Defensively, Dave Aranda moved on from defensive coordinator Ron Roberts and brought Matthew Powledge back to Waco from his year at Oregon. 

Lassan noted this change among other things for this side of the ball.

What to Watch on Defense: There's a new coordinator (Matt Powledge) and plenty of new faces to break in after this unit lost tackle Siaki Ika, linebacker Dillon Doyle and five key defensive backs off last year's group. After allowing 18.3 points a game in '21, Baylor surrendered 26.8 last year.

The Green and Gold will start the long journey to a turn-around season in a week, with Spring practices starting next Tuesday, March 21.

Check back here on SicEm365 for insider notes, Views from the Brazos, and more in-depth coverage of Baylor Football all Spring long!