Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: How does the Big 12 stack up behind OU in 2018?

By Chip Rouse

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 11: Oklahoma Sooners fans cheer during the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated TCU 38-20. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 11: Oklahoma Sooners fans cheer during the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated TCU 38-20. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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WACO, TX – SEPTEMBER 23: Denzel Mims #15 of the Baylor Bears celebrates after scoring a touchdown with teammates Tony Nicholson #13 and Zach Smith #11 against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second half at McLane Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
WACO, TX – SEPTEMBER 23: Denzel Mims #15 of the Baylor Bears celebrates after scoring a touchdown with teammates Tony Nicholson #13 and Zach Smith #11 against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second half at McLane Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

No. 8 Baylor Bears (3-9, 2-7)

This should be a better Baylor team in 2018 under second-year head coach Matt Rhule, but not that much better.

The Bears won only one game a year ago, and that was over hapless Kansas. Baylor lost five games a year ago by 10 or fewer points. The offense has some playmakers and should be more consistent under sophomore QB Charlie Brewer (another Austin, Texas, transplant). The Bears have one of the best receivers in the Big 12 in junior Denzel Mims.

If Baylor manages to get better — much better — under veteran defensive coordinator Phil Snow, the Bears should have a respectable season, but that is a huge “if.” The Bears ranked 111th among FBS teams a year ago, yielding an average of 457 yards of total offense and 36 points a game.

The Big 12’s high-powered offenses are extremely difficult to defend, but the Baylor defense has to get better and quickly if the Bears want to realize marked improvement in 2018.

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