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Baylor Football: 5 reasons Matt Rhule will make Bears contenders in 2018

By Andrew Miller

WACO, TX - OCTOBER 28: Head coach Matt Rhule of the Baylor Bears looks on as Baylor plays the Texas Longhorns in the first half at McLane Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Waco, Texas. Texas won 38-7. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
WACO, TX - OCTOBER 28: Head coach Matt Rhule of the Baylor Bears looks on as Baylor plays the Texas Longhorns in the first half at McLane Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Waco, Texas. Texas won 38-7. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /
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LAWRENCE, KS – NOVEMBER 04: Quarterback Charlie Brewer #12 of the Baylor Bears looks to pass against the Kansas Jayhawks defense during the first half at Memorial Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Brian Davidson/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS – NOVEMBER 04: Quarterback Charlie Brewer #12 of the Baylor Bears looks to pass against the Kansas Jayhawks defense during the first half at Memorial Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Brian Davidson/Getty Images) /

5. Built from the ground up

Rhule was pretty much forced to start over when he first took over in Waco. His philosophy had to be one that encouraged fresh starts to leave the past behind. He successful did that for most of the 2017 campaign, and that should pay dividends soon.

Teams like Baylor can see quick turnarounds when they have the right foundation built from previous years. Baylor lost so many players between the start of 2016, and the conclusion of the 2017 season. They had to nearly start fresh altogether. That puts a lot of strain on the program in nearly every aspect.

However, a rebuild could be a good thing for the Bears last year, despite the disappointment that comes along with a one win record. Good things are ahead for Baylor starting this fall. Rhule started over with so many freshmen and sophomores getting a ton of playing time, when they had never been in a similar role before.

As long as all these guys are buying into what Rhule is trying to put in place for his squad, throwing all those younger players into the fire could create a surprisingly resilient response. All these players have a full year of tough game action under their belt, and could make some real headway in 2018.

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