The Big 12's full schedule isn't out yet, but a few teams across the league have released their individual schedules, or at least something very close to them. In no particular order, we'll take a look at them.
Next up: The Bears of Waco.
Nonconference (with 2010 records):
Sept. 2: TCU (13-0)
Sept. 17: Stephen F. Austin (6-7)
Sept. 24: Rice (10-3)
Home Big 12 games:
Oct. 8: Iowa State (5-7)
Nov. 5: Missouri (10-3)
Nov. 19: Oklahoma (12-2)
Nov. 26: Texas Tech (at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas) (8-5)
Dec. 3: Texas (5-7)
Away Big 12 games:
Oct. 1: at Kansas State (7-6)
Oct. 15: at Texas A&M (9-4)
Oct. 29: at Oklahoma State (11-2)
Nov. 12: at Kansas (3-9)
Gut-check game: TCU. The Bears' rematch with the Frogs is set for Friday night, Sept. 2, to start the season and should draw plenty of eyes. Last year's 45-10 embarrassment was rough for Baylor, but it'll be even worse if it loses this year. The Bears second game isn't until Sept. 17.
Trap game: at Kansas State. No one knows what to expect out of the Wildcats. The Wildcats will already be tested with a trip to Miami the previous week, so don't expect the Bears speed to scare them.
Snoozer: Stephen F. Austin. Baylor did well in its early-season tune-ups last year, safely blowing out Sam Houston State, Buffalo and even winning convincingly at Rice. It did it all while playing some of the best defense in the league at the time, too. I wouldn't expect that trend to end this year.
Regrettable re-do: at Oklahoma State. Most of Baylor's losses last season were big ones, and this was perhaps the worst. The Bears traveled to Stillwater in what was the marquee game in the Big 12 that week, but fell behind 34-0 before losing 55-28. That doesn't do much to earn respect from the league's top programs. The glitchy Big 12 schedule, moving from eight to nine games this year, forces Baylor to make a return trip to Stillwater.
Chance to impress: at Texas A&M. Baylor led last season's game 30-14 before giving up 28 consecutive points in a 42-30 loss. This time, they'll have to get a win in College Station, which is never easy. Baylor is on a stated mission for respect this year after clearing hurdle No. 1 last year: a bowl game. Beating the rival Aggies would be a huge step toward earning that respect.
Analysis: Baylor, by virtue of its neutral site game with Texas Tech, joins Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech as the Big 12 teams with a 4-4-1 home-away conference schedule. It's also pretty balanced. Baylor gets two of my preseason Big 12 teams at home and two on the road.
It also hosts Texas, which lost to Baylor in Austin last season for the first time since 1991. For what it's worth, Baylor is the only Big 12 team to play a team that went undefeated (TCU) in 2010. It gets them at a good time, too. I'm not sure if I'd pick them just yet, but there's no doubt the Bears have a good shot for an opening-night upset. Even if they don't, it's still a pretty good nonconference that game that should see them enter conference play 2-1 at worst.
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