Big 12 Football: 5 way-too-early storylines for 2020 season
By John Scimeca
3. Who will be 2020’s most important new faces?
For new Big 12 coaches, new Baylor boss Dave Aranda is the man to watch in 2020. The Bears are coming off one of the most successful seasons in school history after completing a remarkable two-year turnaround.
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Matt Rhule left for a hefty paycheck and a long-term contract with the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, and Baylor got LSU’s defensive coordinator to fill his place.
Baylor’s 2019 regular season ended with an 11-1 record and a berth in the Big 12 title game. After their hopes were dashed in overtime in their second game against Oklahoma, the Bears dropped a disappointing bowl game to Georgia to finish 11-3. Can the Bears repeat their defensive success in 2020 under Aranda, and will they continue to outperform in-state rivals Texas and TCU with returning quarterback Charlie Brewer?
For new players, check out OU wide receiver Theo Howard, who joins as a grad transfer from UCLA after being injured for most of 2019 or Iowa State defensive tackle Latrell Bankston, a juco transfer who’s rated among the best in the nation at his position.