College Football Top 25: Buying or selling the 2015 preseason rankings

Dec 6, 2014; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver Antwan Goodley (5) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Kansas State Wildcats during the game at McLane Stadium. The Bears defeated the Wildcats 38-27. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Highest Rank: 3 (Athlon)
Lowest Rank:  7 (SN)

SELLING

Baylor may not quite have been as good as advertised in 2014, and they may not even be that good this season. Up until about a week ago I would have possibly had them in the Top 10, but given the current distractions, they may have a shaky season.

Losing Bryce Petty is going to be tough for the Bears offense to overcome this year, as well as three quality wide receivers who are now gone in Antwan Goodley, Levi Norwood and Clay Fuller. This won’t be the explosive, score-at-will offense we saw in 2014.

Defensively the Bears are only losing three key players, but that could be considered good or bad since Baylor finished 49th in scoring defense and 110th in pass defense nationally last season. The one thing they were able to do is stop the run, and that won’t change this season.

The Bears won’t be out of the Big 12 race, but they won’t be in it until the last week of the season the way they were in 2014 either.

Next: Auburn