Baylor just finished one of the biggest turnaround jobs in college football history, but a new era is upon them. Former LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda takes over the program and is ready to rebuild it in his image.

The path is tougher this season with a harder schedule and younger roster. Still, an electric coaching staff featuring several key LSU support staff from the national championship will help make the transition easier. Quarterback Charlie Brewer, running back John Lovett and cornerback Raleigh Texada rank among the critical seniors who will make or break this season. 

Cancelled spring practices due to the epidemic make predictions harder, but that’s no reason to wait. With months to go until games are played, here is how we see Baylor’s 2020 season going. 

Sept. 5: Ole Miss (at NRG Stadium)

The Dave Aranda era begins down the road in Houston. The first battle comes against another team with a first-year head coach, Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels. Ole Miss is building from scratch after the tumultuous Matt Luke era, but there’s talent all across the roster. This will be a good test for just where the talent on Baylor’s roster stands heading into the Aranda era. 

Prediction: Win (1-0)

Sept. 12: Kansas

Les Miles has things turning around in Lawrence, but the Jayhawks are still in the midst of a major rebuild. Playing the Jayhawks this early in the year makes the win even easier. 

Prediction: Win (2-0)

Sept. 19: UIW

Cardinals head coach Eric Morris is one of the up-and-comers in the state and his quarterback, former Argyle star Jon Copeland, is one of the best in the sub-FBS ranks. That won’t make this a close game, though. 

Prediction: Win (3-0)

Sept. 26: Louisiana Tech

A year ago, it would have been fun to think what a J’Mar Smith-led Bulldogs squad could do against Baylor’s elite defense. A rebuilding Louisiana Tech squad that lost more than half of its total production? Less fun. 

Prediction: Win (4-0)

Oct. 3: at Oklahoma

The first big test of the Aranda era comes on the road against the standard-bearer of the Big 12. Oklahoma is replacing Heisman finalist Jalen Hurts, but the Sooners bring in a 5-star quarterback, bunch of 5-star receivers and a revamped offensive line. Baylor doesn’t have the experience on the back line to compete. 

Prediction: Loss (4-1)

Oct. 15: at Texas Tech

This game had a controversial ending a year ago, after a bungled “snap infraction” call prevented the Red Raiders from winning in multiple overtimes. Well, don’t expect a warm welcome for the Bears in Lubbock. Getting pressure on Tech QB Alan Bowman will be critical to pulling off a win. 

Prediction: Win (5-1)

Oct. 24: TCU

The “Revivalry” added another dramatic chapter last season as Max Duggan’s slight step out of bounds launched the Bears to a triple-overtime victory. Now, the game shifts back to Waco. TCU’s defense is as powerful as ever, but Baylor can exploit the weak offense. 

Prediction: Win (6-1)

Oct. 31: at Texas

When these two teams played a year ago, it shattered Texas’ 2019 campaign. After the Longhorns were boxed out of the Big 12 title game, the program fired both coordinators and sent Tom Herman into a critical final season. Texas will be ready for this game. 

Prediction: Lose (6-2)

Nov. 7: Oklahoma State

Mike Gundy’s 2020 team quietly might be one of the best of his tenure in Stillwater. While the Bears won a big game in Stillwater last year – just the second such win since World War II – doing it again at McLane Stadium is a tough ask. Containing running back Chuba Hubbard will be the biggest ask. 

Prediction: Lose (6-3)

Nov. 14: at Iowa State

Iowa State hasn’t lost a home game in November since dropping a nailbiter in 2017. The Cyclones are well coached and improve consistently throughout a season. Brock Purdy might be the most underrated quarterback in America. It’s a tough test, maybe too tough. 

Prediction: Lose (6-4)

Nov. 21: at West Virginia

The Mountaineers gave Baylor everything it could handle a year ago during a Thursday-night national game. Unfortunately for the Bears, the Stills brothers are both back to wreak havoc on Baylor’s offensive line. The quarterback play at West Virginia will be much better than the wild inconsistency Austin Kendall played with a year ago; Jarret Doege showed some promising signs to end the year. That’s bad news for Baylor. 

Prediction: Lose (7-4)

Nov. 28: Kansas State

Baylor closes the year against one of the more consistent programs in the conference. Chris Klieman brought some pro-style passing to a physical Kansas State culture. Baylor still can take advantage on offense with its superior receiving talent going against Kansas State’s secondary. Keep in mind, this will be senior day for the 2017 recruiting class, the one that came to campus sight unseen with Matt Rhule. The emotions will be intense. 

Prediction: Win (7-5)

Bowl Game: Texas Bowl vs. Kentucky

After starting the year in Houston, the Bears will end it there too. Baylor has played in the Texas Bowl twice. Both were great showings for the program – Robert Griffin III’s record performance against Washington in 2011 and Matt Rhule’s springboard into a Sugar Bowl campaign in 2018. A third appearance gives the 2017 recruiting class the perfect opportunity to end their historic Baylor careers with a win. 

Prediction: Win

Record Prediction: 8-5, 4-5

Aranda is taking over a program that has seen the highest and lowest of college football in the past three seasons alone. When things settle, reaching a bowl game and getting to eight wins is right about what Baylor should expect every year. With all the losses on both sides from the 2019 squad, getting to eight wins is a solid start.