OFFENSE

Proving that his surgically repaired right knee is just fine, quarterback Robert Griffin III threw for a school-record 3,501 yards and 22 touchdowns and added another 635 yards and eight TDs rushing in leading Baylor to its first bowl game in 16 years.

But the Bears were anything but satisfied with a 7–6 record that included a 38–14 loss to Illinois in the Texas Bowl. To take the next step, Griffin knows the offense has to be even better.

“We have to top what we did last year, so that we can win 11 or 12 games. And that’s the goal,” says the 6'2", 220-pound junior. “We know we have to be dominant as an offense.”
It starts with Griffin, as exciting of a dual-threat quarterback as there is in the country. But it doesn’t end there.

The Bears are loaded at receiver, with five returning players who had at least 40 catches last season. Senior Kendall Wright (78 catches, 952 yards) is certainly the bell cow, but Griffin is more than happy in spreading it around to Josh Gordon, Terrance Williams, Lanear Sampson and Tevin Reese.

While the offensive line returns virtually intact, with massive sophomore Cyril Richardson (6'5", 315) sliding over to left tackle to replace Danny Watkins, the question is who will be running behind them. Jarred Salubi, Terrance Ganaway and Glasco Martin are the leading candidates, but no one stepped up and took the job in the spring.

“Those shoes that Jay Finley left are big,” fourth-year coach Art Briles says of the team’s single-season rushing leader (1,218 yards). “And I don’t see anybody in them right now.”

DEFENSE

First-year defensive coordinator Phil Bennett didn’t waste any time this spring, moving players around so fast that it would make your head spin.

Linebackers became ends, safeties were switched to linebackers, and he even wound up with a former quarterback (sophomore Brody Trahan) at outside linebacker.

“One of the things that has always been my trademark is the ability to run,” says Bennett, who’s in his seventh stop as a coordinator. “I don’t get caught up with size. If you can run and you can hit and you can react, I’ll find a place for you.”

He’s got plenty of holes to fill with two linebackers, both safeties and defensive tackle Phil Taylor all gone. But the Bears should have a solid front four when everybody’s back healthy, and middle linebacker Elliot Coffey is “exactly what you look for,” Briles says.

In the mold of former All-Big 12 safety Jordan Lake, junior Mike Hicks and sophomore Sam Holl are “just tough guys that are intelligent and love the game of football,” Briles says.

SPECIALISTS

The hope is that incoming freshman punter Spencer Roth can be the same kind of answer that sophomore kicker Aaron Jones was last season. The “Stork” was 19-of-27 on field goals and has range well beyond 50 yards. Wright takes over the punt return duties and will give the Bears their first serious threat in many years.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Fulfilling prophecy, the Bears ended up at Reliant Stadium for the Texas Bowl last season. And while their sights are set higher, it won’t be easy with a schedule that starts with defending Rose Bowl champion TCU on Sept. 2. To take the next step, the offense has to find a go-to back, and the defense has to make huge strides in Bennett’s first year as coordinator.

Other Baylor Bears Content:
Baylor's Robert Griffith III Has One Speed - Fast
2011 Big 12 Predictions