Texas Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

The Baylor Bears aren’t quite back to where they were as a program during the Art Briles’ era, but new head coach Matt Rhule has done well to get rid of the bad karma from it.

Rhule looks to rebuild a football program that was full of scandal and misconduct. In terms of talent, the Bears return 10 starters (five on defense, five on offense) on both sides of the ball.

They’ve yet to name their starting quarterback as of now. Quarterbacks Anu Solomon, Zach Smith and true freshman Charlie Brewer. Smith threw for 1,526 passing yards and 13 touchdowns a season ago for the Bears, but he also had seven interceptions.

Solomon is a graduate transfer from the Arizona Wildcats. A sprained knee limited him to five appearances in 2016 but he hopes a new home in Waco changes his fortunes. He’s threw for 6,910 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns and just 16 interceptions in three seasons as Arizona’s quarterback.

The Longhorns will need to put on a better performance than last year if they hope to win again. They won 35-34 on a field goal with 46 seconds left in the game, but allowed 624 total yards on defense. The Bears ran for 398 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Rhule and Herman will be looking to have good rookie seasons in their Big 12 debuts, so expect more fireworks here.

Final: Baylor 31, Texas 35 (6-2, 4-1 Big 12)