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Baylor Football: 3 takeaways from wild Big 12 title win over Oklahoma State

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 4, 2021; Arlington, TX, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Blake Shapen (12) throws past Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive end Tyler Lacy (89) during the first half of the Big 12 Conference championship game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2021; Arlington, TX, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Blake Shapen (12) throws past Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive end Tyler Lacy (89) during the first half of the Big 12 Conference championship game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2021; Arlington, TX, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda yells to his team during the second quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Big 12 Conference championship game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2021; Arlington, TX, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda yells to his team during the second quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Big 12 Conference championship game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Dave Aranda has real case for national coach of the year

After going just 2-7 last year, Dave Aranda flipped the script and he’s now 11-2 with the Bears in just his second season. In just two years, he’s tied the school record for wins in a single season and he still has a New Year’s Six bowl game to play.

Baylor looked like one of the worst Power Five teams in the country last year but quickly turned things around and won a Big 12 title in just year two of Aranda. That’s more impressive than people really realize. He took over for Matt Rhule who left suddenly for the NFL and the Bears immediately lost some luster. It didn’t take him long to turn things around.

Aranda has been a head coach for just two years since leaving LSU’s defensive coordinator role and there was a little bit of chatter that he might be an option for next head coach in Baton Rouge before Brian Kelly was hired away from Notre Dame. That has to make Baylor fans happy because it looks like he’s one of the brightest young minds in the country.

The fingerprints he’s had on this team are evident, especially defensively, and he made some needed changes in the offseason to help turn things around.

Aranda has to be considered a favorite for national coach of the year for a nine-win turnaround.

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