College Football Rankings 2016: Projected AP Top 25 after Week 7
By Zach Bigalke
Despite an inefficient game in the air from Seth Russell, Baylor had no problem knocking off Kansas on Saturday. Russell completed just nine of his 22 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns, but he also ran for 68 yards and two more scores. The defense held Kansas to 217 total yards and forced five turnovers in the blowout. Up 21-0 after one quarter and 42-0 by halftime, Baylor never really let the visitors have a chance. The Bears are now 6-0 at the halfway point of their season thanks to a deep backfield and a thin schedule.
The biggest obstacles on the Bears’ schedule still remain ahead of them. Baylor takes on Texas in Austin next weekend, and November begins with a home showdown against TCU. Games at Oklahoma on November 12 and at West Virginia on December 3 are going to be make-or-break contests for a squad that has a weak strength of schedule in non-conference play. That has been the biggest thing holding Baylor back from climbing higher in the Top 25, as pollsters question whether the Bears are bolstered statistically by overmatched opposition at this point.