Top 10 Most Excited College Football Fan Bases Heading into the Offseason

Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Art Briles during the game against the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Bears 42-41. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

9. Baylor Bears

2014 Finish: 11-2 (Lost to Michigan State Spartans 42-41 in the Cotton Bowl)

It is not very common for a college football fan base to be excited going into the offseason after a bowl loss and with their quarterback leaving. That is exactly what is facing Baylor. They blew a lead to Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl, making Art Briles look like an idiot after lobbying to get his team into the College Football Playoff, and now Bryce Petty is gone.

So why the excitement?

Try 17 returning starters and the fact that the new quarterback, Seth Russell, did throw for 5 touchdowns in a game last year and does have proven experience as a starter. The only reservation is if he can do it in Big 12 play because he did struggle against Texas Tech a little bit when he saw significant action.

Still, there’s enough for the Bears to be more than excited about this upcoming season, especially given the fact that they were one fluke loss away from the playoff this year and remained TCU’s only loss. Briles has built a great program in Waco, and his goal of building a championship team could come sooner than expected.

We’re not going to project where they will rank yet, but right now, despite the rough finish, the Bears have a good bit to be excited about.

Next: No. 8 Most Excited Fan Base