From Baylor Bears On SI · · 3m
Baylor Bears On SI
Baylor's bowl hopes split after Kansas loss as coach fired.
In brief
Baylor's bowl hopes split after Kansas loss as coach fired. Baylor's postseason bowl eligibility remains uncertain after losing to Kansas and firing head coach Dave Aranda, with ESPN and CBS Sports projecting bowl games while Athlon Sports and The Athletic exclude them. Originally reported by Baylor Bears On SI.
Baylor's postseason outlook uncertain
Baylor's postseason outlook has become increasingly uncertain following Saturday's 25-24 loss at Kansas, which dropped the Bears to 4-3 and ultimately cost head coach Dave Aranda his job.
Baylor loses consecutive games
After starting 4-1, Baylor has lost consecutive games to TCU and Kansas, squandering opportunities to move closer to bowl eligibility against opponents that entered their respective matchups with losing records.
Interim coach needed
Now, with defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman serving as interim head coach, Baylor needs two victories over its final five games to qualify for the postseason.
National outlets split on bowl eligibility
National outlets are split on whether the Bears will get there. ESPN and CBS Sports still project Baylor to reach a bowl game, while Athlon Sports and The Athletic leave it out.
ESPN: First Responder Bowl or Liberty Bowl
ESPN: First Responder Bowl or Liberty Bowl.
ESPN's Kyle Bonagura projects First Responder Bowl
ESPN's Kyle Bonagura projects Baylor to face Florida Atlantic in the First Responder Bowl, while Mark Schlabach predicts a matchup with Mississippi State in the Liberty Bowl.
First Responder Bowl in Dallas
Bonagura's projection would keep Baylor close to home, with the First Responder Bowl taking place at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas on Jan. 2.
Schlabach's Liberty Bowl prediction
Schlabach's prediction would send the Bears to Memphis for a matchup against an SEC opponent on the same day.
Liberty Bowl offers more intriguing matchup
Of the two, the Liberty Bowl would offer the more intriguing matchup.A victory over Mississippi State would give Baylor an opportunity to end an otherwise disappointing season with a notable win against Power Four competition.
CBS Sports: Poinsettia Bowl vs. Oregon State
CBS Sports: Poinsettia Bowl vs. Oregon State.
CBS Sports' Brad Crawford projects Poinsettia Bowl
CBS Sports' Brad Crawford projects Baylor to face Oregon State in the Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 23 in San Diego.
Oregon State's strong offense
The Beavers have won five consecutive games after starting 0-2, improving to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in Pac-12 play. Their offense has been particularly impressive, averaging 42.7 points per game behind an explosive passing attack.
Baylor's defense vs. Oregon State
That would present an intriguing matchup against Baylor's defense, which has been the Bears' most dependable unit this season.
Oregon State's defensive weakness
However, Oregon State has been less consistent defensively, allowing 23.1 points per game. That could give DJ Lagway and Baylor's offense opportunities to establish some rhythm, which they've lacked the past two weeks.
The takeaway
Baylor's postseason bowl eligibility remains uncertain after losing to Kansas and firing head coach Dave Aranda, with ESPN and CBS Sports projecting bowl games while Athlon Sports and The Athletic exclude them.
