The Top 10 Baylor Football Games of the Past Decade

As the incoming four Big 12 programs were counting down the minutes until the clock struck midnight on July first making them official members of the conference, the guys at 365 Sports spent time interviewing people representing each program in a variety of ways.

One person who joined the show on Friday, June 30th was UCF insider Brandon Helwig of Rivals. While the news was out the Bears would head to the Bounce House to face the Knights in their first-ever Big 12 home game, Helwig told 365 Sports that UCF will honor the 2014 team that defeated Baylor in the Fiesta Bowl during the game.

While that game might be a nightmare for the Baylor faithful, it seems like a decent starting point to look at some of the Top 10 games that the Bears have played over the past decade. 

Here are my “best games”, not wins, best games of the last decade of Baylor Football.

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10. Fiesta Bowl, January 1, 2014:

After being crowned Big 12 champions, a cocky Baylor team fully expected to walk into the desert and make light work of UCF, but Blake Bortles and the Knights weren’t having it. The week prior to the game had off-field distractions with rumors of head coach Art Briles considering taking the job at Texas, which combined with overlooking the Knights resulted in a major disappointment.

Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty threw for over 350 yards and running back Lache Seastrunk ran for 117 yards, but it wasn’t enough to counter the production of the Knights. Bortles torched the Baylor defense with 301 yards through the air, while accounting for four touchdowns — running back Storm Johnson added three touchdowns of his own on the ground.

UCF would go on to defeat Baylor 52-42 in what was a blown opportunity for the Bears to claim a Fiesta Bowl title.

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

9. Russell Athletic Bowl, December 29, 2015:

After having all three quarterbacks on their roster sidelined with injuries, Baylor displayed a dominant offensive performance thanks to Johnny Jefferson. The Bears used Jefferson as the catalyst to run the ball down North Carolina’s throat behind an impressive three touchdowns and a record 299 yards to secure a 49-38 victory. 

Baylor tallied a historic 645 yards rushing and 756 total yards — both records for this bowl. The win highlighted the team's resilience amidst adversity and served as a testament to their perseverance as it marked the Bears' first bowl victory since 2012, snapping a string of two consecutive bowl losses.

8. West Virginia Revenge Game, October 5, 2013:

After falling to West Virginia 70-63 in Morgantown in 2012, Baylor had an opportunity for redemption at home in 2013. Bryce Petty picked apart the Mountaineers’ defense while hanging his cleats up for the night after just one second half drive,

Petty completed 17 of 25 passes for 347 yards and 2 TDs. The Bears sealed the deal with their rushing attack (468 yards) en route to finishing the night with 872 yards of total offense, which surpassed West Virginia’s 807 against Baylor the previous season for a new Big 12 record 

7. Texas Bowl, December 27, 2018:

Baylor's resurgence under head coach Matt Rhule was evident in their appearance in the 2018 Texas Bowl. Facing off against the Vanderbilt Commodores, quarterback Charlie Brewer threw for 384 yards and 2 TDs as the Bears demonstrated their determination and resilience, securing a commanding 45-38 victory in overtime after finishing the previous season 1-11.

6. Wrecking Tech in front of Mahomes, October 29, 2022:

With all eyes on Lubbock, Texas as new Red Raider head coach Joey McGuire waited to face Baylor for the first time since leaving the Bears staff, things didn’t exactly go how he envisioned it would. Texas Tech brought in former Red Raider and current Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to enjoy the game as they welcomed him into their ring of honor.

Baylor’s defense wasn’t having it, as they forced Texas Tech to throw five interceptions, as freshman running back Richard Reese cut through the Red Raider defense for 148 yards and 3TDs. The Bears rolled past Texas Tech 45-17 putting an end to their decade-long losing streak in Lubbock.

Baylor Lariat

5. Defeating TCU 61-58, October 11, 2014

One true champion — tell that to Baylor kicker Chris Callahan. Callahan’s 28-yard field goal sealed one of the wildest college football games ever as Baylor rallied from a 24-point deficit in 11 minutes to defeat TCU 61-58 in Fort Worth. 

Bryce Petty connected with Corey Coleman to tie the game at 58 with 4:42 remaining in the game and Baylor’s defense would force the Frogs to turn the ball over on downs with just over one minute remaining. Despite the Bears winning the head-to-head matchup, Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby didn’t announce a conference champion, which resulted in both teams being left out of the College Football Playoff for eventual champion Ohio State.

4. Upsetting Oklahoma in McLane Stadium, November 13, 2021:

While Matt Rhule was able to earn some big wins during his tenure as head coach at Baylor, he was never able to top the Sooners. The Bears fell to Oklahoma twice during the 2019 season, despite holding leads during both. 

As Rhule left to pursue his dreams in the NFL, Baylor named Dave Aranda head coach heading into the 2020 season. It’s no surprise that Aranda’s defense would be the difference going forward, as they held Oklahoma to under 28 points that season in a 27-14 loss in Norman. 

Despite the loss, Baylor snapped a 60-game streak for the Sooners scoring 28 points or more, and held Oklahoma to their lowest scoring total of the Lincoln Riley era. The following season would be one for the ages, as Baylor stormed the field not once, but twice, as they defeated Oklahoma 27-14.

Baylor’s defense would ultimately force Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler to the bench and eventually the transfer portal. The unit made arguably the current best quarterback in college football, Caleb Williams, look completely shaken as they sacked him three times — and Riley called Aranda a “bad sport” as Baylor sealed what would likely be their final home game ever against the Sooners. 

3. Case Closed, December 7, 2013:

In their final game at Floyd Casey Stadium, Baylor punched their ticket to the No. 10 game on this list as they defeated Texas 30-10 to secure its first-ever Big 12 title and third conference title in school history (1974, 1980 in Southwest Conference).

Quarterback Bryce Petty and wide receiver Antwan Goodley refused to let Baylor fall to the Longhorns despite the frigid temperatures, as they connected on eight occasions for 114 yards and 1TD. Petty would finish the game 21-of-37 passes for 287 yards and 2 TDs.

While Baylor was handling their business in Waco, Oklahoma was defeating Oklahoma State once again in Bedlam 33-24. The win by the Sooners made Baylor’s game with Texas the de facto Big 12 championship game. It was the ultimate high for Baylor as they were winners of 15 of their last 16 games and sat 11-1 for the first time in program history.

2: The McPlay, December 4, 2021:

It’s one of those moments where you’ll always remember where you were. Oklahoma State had four downs and 1:19 remaining on the clock to defeat Baylor and keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive.

Unsuccessful on their first three attempts, Oklahoma State running back Dezin Jackson appeared to have the edge and dove towards the left corner of the end zone at AT&T Stadium. Baylor safety Jairon McVeay made the play of a lifetime — arguably the best in program history — as he stuffed Jackson out of bounds inches from the pylon giving the Bears their third Big 12 championship.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

1: Defeating Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl, January 1, 2022:

Baylor had an opportunity to win the Sugar Bowl in 2020 — which is debatable for this list — but fell 26-14 to a Georgia team that would turn out to be the Monstars. The Bears took full advantage of their next opportunity against Ole Miss, as they set a Sugar Bowl record with 10 sacks en route to a 21-7 victory.

The victory proved that Baylor was capable of winning on the big stage and it increased the program's expectations. Last season was a complete disappointment, which makes this upcoming season highly anticipated for head coach Dave Aranda and the Bears.