BAYLOR BEARS
2013 College Football Preview
OFFENSE - 6
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 8
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Nick Florence-QB, Jarred Salubi-RB, Terrance Williams-WR, Lanear Sampson-WR, Ivory Wade-C, Cameron Kaufhold-OG
DEFENSE: Gary Mason-DT, Nick Johnson-NG, Rodney Chadwick-MLB, Chance Casey-CB, Mike Hicks-CS
RB Lache Seastrunk
Running Backs / Linebacker

Lache Seastrunk and Glasco Martin combined to rush for 1,901 yards and 22 touchdowns last year. The ground game will give Baylor a much more balanced attack. Despite the poor overall defensive team numbers All-Conference linebackers Bryce Hager and Eddie Lackey may be the league's best tandem.

Defense

This horrific defense makes watching Baylor games difficult to stomach. Despite having eight starters back with two quality linebackers this group just can't seem to figure out how to operate in this 4-2-5 scheme. The secondary has athleticism and speed. No excuse exists for being so porous once again.

LB Bryce Hager
 
BAYLOR 2013 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Bryce Petty-Jr (6-3, 230) Seth Russell-RFr (6-3, 200)
RB Lache Seastrunk-Jr (5-10, 210) Glasco Martin-Sr (6-1, 220)
WR Antwan Goodley-Jr (5-10, 220) Kaleb Moore-RFr (5-11, 190)
WR Jay Lee-So (6-3, 210) Clay Fuller-Jr (6-1, 205)
IR Tevin Reese-Sr (5-10, 170) Corey Coleman-RFr (5-10, 190)
IR Levi Norwood-Jr (6-1, 185) Lynx Hawthorne-RFr (5-11, 200)
TE Jordan Najvar-Sr (6-6, 260) Jerod Monk-Sr (6-5, 275)
OT Spencer Drango-So (6-6, 315) Pat Colbert-So (6-5, 295)
OG Cyril Richardson-Sr (6-5, 335) LaQuan McGowan-So (6-7, 375)
C Stefan Huber-Sr (6-4, 290) Kyle Fuller-RFr (6-4, 295)
OG Desmine Hilliard-So (6-4, 330) Jason Osei-RFr (6-4, 315)
OT Kelvin Palmer-Sr (6-4, 290) Troy Baker-Jr (6-6, 315) (inj)
K Aaron Jones-Sr (6-3, 190) Kyle Peterson-So (5-11, 205)
 
BAYLOR 2013 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Terrance Lloyd-Sr (6-3, 245) Shawn Oakman-So (6-9, 270)
NT Beau Blackshear-So (6-4, 300) Suleiman Masumbuko-So (6-2, 290)
DT Javonte Magee-So (6-5, 275) Trevor Clemons-Valdez-So (6-3, 290)
DE Chris McAllister-Sr (6-3, 255) Jamal Palmer-So (6-3, 245)
MLB Bryce Hager-Jr (6-2, 235) Aivion Edwards-RFr (6-1, 225)
WLB Eddie Lackey-Sr (6-0, 220) Kendall Ehrlich-RFr (6-1, 225)
CB K.J. Morton-Sr (5-10, 190) Demetri Goodson-Sr (6-0, 200)
CB Joe Williams-Sr (5-11, 190) Xavien Howard-RFr (6-2, 200)
CS Terrell Burt-So (5-10, 185) Anthony Webb-So (6-0, 190)
DS Ahmad Dixon-Sr (6-0, 205) Orion Stewart-RFr (6-2, 185)
NB Sam Holl-Sr (6-2, 210) Prince Kent-Sr (6-3, 220)
P Spencer Roth-Jr (6-4, 225) Kyle Peterson-So (5-11, 205)
 
QUICK TAKES

 

  • Baylor has adapted a formula to winning in the Big 12...locate as many speedy/athletic players as possible, plug them into head coach Art Briles' offensive fireworks and let it rip. The nominal Big 12 defenses don't know what hit them. The formula is working and Baylor has gone from being a storied bottom dweller to a winning team with victories in three straight bowl games.
  • On the other hand Baylor will never get the respect it deserves playing such horrific defense. To show the disparity Baylor was the nation's second ranked offense in 2012. They were also the nation's 119th ranked defense. The plan to stick every great player on offense worked however so maybe there is no need to revisit the drawing board.
  • This offense is still going to be explosive per usual. The college world is just waiting and hoping that former Oregon running back Lache Seastrunk can be all they want him to be. His partner Glasco Martin is no slouch either. Together they amassed 1,901 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns last year. The ground game will be something to contend with for opposing defenses.
  • Offensive guard Cyril Richardson will be an NFL starter, and it’s not insane to suggest that tackle Spencer Drango could turn into a first round draft pick.
  • Quarterback Bryce Petty is not quite ready to duplicate RGIII or Nick Florence just yet. Petty has a solid grasp of this offensive concept while possessing accuracy and poise. He just needs some more seasoning taking snaps. With more emphasis placed on the strong ground game his passing numbers won't be video game like. The backup situation is really sketchy so it's imperative that Petty stay healthy.
  • Despite the defensive ineptitude All-Conference linebackers Bryce Hager and Eddie Lackey are arguably the best tandem in the league.
  • Baylor utilizes a 4-2-5 defensive alignment that has not worked. Expect coaches to stress more from the secondary as opposed to using an extra linebacker in the backfield. This should be more of a pure nickel and dime package. Ahmad Dixon, Sam Holl, K.J. Morton and Joe Williams all have a great athletic upside and could turn out to be All-Conference picks by season's end. This defensive backfield will make or break the 2013 season.
  • If Baylor can keep flirting with ten win seasons Bear fans should never complain. A Big 12 title doesn't quite seem to be in reach just yet but a great chance exists that this team could (or should) be at least 6-1 heading into November.

 

BAYLOR 2013 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 - Wofford
Sept. 7 - Buffalo
Sept. 21 - Louisiana-Monroe
Oct. 5 - West Virginia
Oct. 12 - at Kansas State
Oct. 19 - Iowa State
Oct. 26 - at Kansas
Nov. 7 - Oklahoma
Nov. 16 - Texas Tech @Arlington, TX
Nov. 23 - at Oklahoma State
Nov. 30 - at TCU
Dec. 7 - Texas