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College Football 2016: 25 bold predictions

By Nathaniel Reeves

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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FORT WORTH, TX – NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Art Briles of the Baylor Bears during the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 27, 2015 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TX – NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Art Briles of the Baylor Bears during the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 27, 2015 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

25. Baylor will still be competitive in the Big 12

Baylor had the most tumultuous offseason of any team and had no choice but to fire head coach Art Briles following a number of disturbing sexual assault allegations against the football team, leaving many wondering about the state of the program.

First and foremost, Baylor needs to drastically improve the accountability of its leadership and culture surrounding the team, a process that success on the field takes a clear back seat to. As far as football goes, there will be major ramifications as Briles brought the team to a new level of success, and it lost nearly its whole recruiting class plus a few transfers.

Naturally, it’s a bit difficult to project the Bears in 2016, and they open the season at No. 23 in the preseason AP poll. Even if another berth in the New Year’s Six is too lofty of a goal, the Bears have the ability to finish much higher than that preseason ranking.

Baylor returns enough talent to do some damage against even the top teams in the Big 12, including quarterback Seth Russell and wide reciever KD Cannon. Coordinators Kendal Briles and Phil Bennett are also back, while new head coach Jim Grobe had some previous success at a very difficult place to win in Wake Forest.

Once again, the Bears play a very weak non-conference schedule, and will get a shot at teams like Oklahoma State and TCU at home. Another 10-win season is not out of the question for the Bears, although they will likely experience a sharp dropoff after that.

Next: 24. Vanderbilt wins seven games

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