ARLINGTON, Texas — Matt Rhule knows the expectations at Baylor are the highest in years.
The Bears were a combined 13 points away from going 9-4 instead of 7-6 in 2018.
"I think we were a team last year that was good at times, not necessarily consistent but showed some flashes and finished the season the right way," said Rhule. "We are hoping that we can become a team that week-in and week-out knows what to expect."
The Bears return 15 starters including veteran Quarterback Charlie Brewer. Brewer, who has started 16 of the last 17 games for Baylor, passed for 3,019 yards with 19 TD and just 9 INT in 2018.
"Once that light bulb went off for him I thought he was a really good quarterback and at the end of the year when we were able to run the ball and protect him I thought he was an excellent quarterback," said Rhule. "What I'm excited about is his commitment to learning the game at a higher level. I've seen great work from him and that to me tells me he's ready to go be a great player this year."
Defensively, Baylor has to take a massive step forward if the Bears want any type of shot of playing in the Big 12 Championship game in December. Last season, the Bears gave up 39 explosive plays that led to touchdowns.
"For us to take the next step, we have to get better on defense and that starts with not giving up so many big plays," said Rhule. "We've got to become more of an impact defense taking the ball way and I think it starts with our players. There's a lot of guys that have played a lot of football and they were out there some of them playing before they were ready and now they're ready."
If everything goes according to plan, Baylor could emerge in mid-October as a Top 25 team. There is a great shot that the Bears could start 6-0 before they head to Stillwater on October 19.
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