Best Season: Baylor

Continuing the series of the best season in each school's history, let's take a trip to Waco and visit the Baylor Bears. The Bears started playing football in 1899 and had an undefeated season in 1900. Baylor holds 10 conference titles, 18 All-Americans, and 1 Heisman winner. There were many years that could have been chosen, and in the end, I had to narrow it down to only one. I think that the best season for the Baylor Bears was 2013. This team won a lot and would end up being the closest that Baylor came to a national championship game in school history.

Entering 2013, the Bears were coming off an 8-5 campaign and a Holiday bowl victory over UCLA. The Bears had a high-powered offense and if they could get a good effort from their defense, they could make a title run. They were led by head coach Art Briles, who was entering his 6th season. This year was set to be the last at Floyd Casey Stadium, with McLane stadium opening the following season. This would also be the very last season that the two championship teams would be determined by the BCS system.

The season offered little resistance to start the year, as Baylor cruised to an easy 3-0 record. The first 3 games were an FCS school and 2 G5 schools, which allowed Baylor to score 69, 70, and 70, respectively. The Bears entered October 3-0 and ranked 17th to open conference play.

It is important to note that Baylor was picked to finish 5th in the conference in the preseason. The Bears did receive 2 first place votes, but it was Oklahoma State that was picked to finish 1st in the conference. The Cowboys were just 2 years removed from almost making the National Championship, and they started that season #15.

As conference play opened, Baylor prepared to face WVU. The Bears fell to the Mountaineers in their first meeting last year in Morgantown, and they looked to avenge that loss this year. The Bears scored a scorching 56 points in the first half to gain a 56-14 advantage at halftime. Art Briles rested his starters after the break, and Baylor started 4-0 for the first time since 1991.

This meant that Baylor would travel to Kansas State ranked #15 and trying to win in Manhattan for the first time ever. The Bears started slow, and Kansas State refused to give up. Baylor scored first, but one play into the 2nd quarter it was tied at 7-7. Baylor did score 14 in the second quarter, and the teams went to halftime with Baylor up 21-10. After half, the Wildcats got the ball first, and they drove down to get a field goal. The lead was now only 8, and Baylor was forced to punt on their next possesion, which Kansas State blocked. QB Daniel Sams drew KSU within 2 after a rushing TD, but the 2 point conversion was no good. Now leading only 21-19, Baylor would get the ball back to its explosive offense. Just 2 plays into the drive, Bryce Petty was sacked and fumbled, and KSU had the ball with a chance to take the lead. Daniel Sams once again ran for a TD, and the Wildcats became the first team to lead Baylor that season, 25-21. Bryce Petty would not be held down any longer as he connected with Tevin Reese for a 54-yard TD to retake the lead, 28-25. KSU would later get the ball on their own 20 and throw an interception that led to a Baylor touchdown. Now up 35-25, Baylor found a way to escape Manhattan with a win for the first time ever. Texas also beat Oklahoma that day, which meant that for the first time in history, Baylor was the highest ranked team in the conference when they moved up to 12th.

Iowa State traveled to Waco the following week, and this game was nothing like the thriller at Kansas State. Baylor punted on their first possession, and then scored on the next 8 to resume their offense fireworks. The final score was 71-7 in favor of Baylor as they moved to 6-0. Luckily for Baylor, half of the teams above them lost that week, so they would rise all the way to 6th before their next game against Kansas. Kansas offered little resistance, as the Bears went to half up 38-0 and eventually won 59-14. Baylor rose to #5 before its biggest test of the season so far.

Oklahoma was ranked 12th when they traveled to Waco, and they would leave with much disappointment. The game started as a defensive battle, with Baylor leading 3-0 at the end of the first quarter. Oklahoma would then drive down to the goal line, where they would be stuffed on 4th and goal. Baylor took over, but a sack gave Oklahoma 2 points and the ball. The free kick was returned inside the 15, but the Baylor defense once again held firm and forced a field goal. This put OU up 5-3, which is where their luck would turn in a hurry. Baylor scored 3 touchdowns before half to get a 24-5 lead at the break. Baylor and Oklahoma traded TDs to make it 31-12 before Baylor scored some more to end the game with a 41-12 win, only their second over Oklahoma. Stanford helped Baylor by beating Oregon that week, which meant that the Bears would rise to #4.

Texas Tech was next on the docket, and the Red Raiders were led by quarterback Baker Mayfield. Tech started off the game well, as they trailed Baylor by only 1 at the end of the first quarter 21-20. However, they were unable to keep pace with the Bears over the course of the game. Over the next 2 quarters, Baylor outscored them 14-7, and 21-7 to make it 56-34 at the end of the 3rd quarter. Baylor would win 63-34 and reach 9-0 for the first time in school history. They also moved up to number 3 in the rankings before their biggest showdown in school history. The winner would control the Big 12 race and it would keep Baylor in line for a national title shot.

Baylor entered Stillwater, Oklahoma with a chance to make history and they couldn't get out of their own way. In the first half, they fumbled on the 1 yard line to set up a 99 yard drive that gave Oklahoma State the lead 7-0. The Cowboys later scored again and after a Baylor field goal it was 14-3 OSU at the half. Oklahoma State opened the second half with a touchdown, and forced a turnover on downs that lead to another. This gave Baylor a 28-3 deficit to climb out of, which they could not. More turnovers lead to the lead being extended to 35-3, and the game was essentially over. Baylor scored too little far too late and lost 49-17. This dropped them to 9-1 and #9. With only 2 games left, they needed help to win the conference, and a miracle to reach the national championship.

However, Baylor had no time to worry about things, as they played in Fort Worth the following week. This game began with Baylor taking a 13-3 lead, and TCU would essentially play catch-up the rest of the way. Baylor entered half with a 27-17 lead after 2 huge defensive plays. They added on another pick 6 to extend to 34-17 Baylor. TCU responded however, to make it 34-31. This led to Baylor and TCU swapping TDs to make it 41-38 Baylor. On their possession, TCU pushed deep into Baylor territory, but an interception sealed a Baylor win and a 10-win season. This meant that Baylor, Texas, and Oklahoma State were eligible for the conference title.

With one week left, Baylor prepared to face #23 Texas. The forecast was a cold one, with temperatures in the 20s at gametime. Shortly before kickoff, the score of the Bedlam game was announced, and Oklahoma State had lost. This meant that the winner of the game would be the Big 12 champion. After a cold first half that was highlighted by defense, the score was 3-3 at half. After half, Baylor rattled off 3 straight scoring drives to grab a 20-3 lead. Texas would shorten it to 20-10 but never seemed able to strike with any regularity. They were plagued with turnovers and fell 30-10. This gave Baylor its first 11-win season, its first conference championship, and a 7-0 record at home. It was truly a special way to finish playing at Floyd Casey Stadium.

Baylor received its first BCS Berth, a huge accomplishment. The Bears did ultimately lose to UCF in the Fiesta Bowl, but this season was such special one. Baylor broke many records, and they said good-bye to a historic venue. They also showed that they could be a serious contender nationally. I do wonder what would have happened if they find a way to beat Oklahoma State. The only team above them to not lose was Florida State, the eventual National Champions. Maybe they play against FSU in the Rose Bowl for the chance at a title.

The next year, Baylor would again go 11-1, only losing to WVU. They won their second straight conference title, and finished the regular season ranked 5th, one spot away from appearing in the playoff. Had they played a conference championship game, they may have made the playoff. The reason that I picked the 2013 team over the 2014 was the fact that the 2013 team was the first to reach those heights. Not to mention, they were 9-0 and ranked number 3, with a real shot to make the title game. The 2014 team lost early and was always hoping for a chance to get in. Hopefully, we will one day see Baylor win a national title.