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Bears at a Glance  Head Coach  Art Briles  At Baylor  2nd Year / 4-8 Overall  2008 Record  4-8 Overall, 2-6 Big 12  Home/Road/Neutral  4-3 / 0-5 / 0-0  Off Starters Ret/Lost  9 / 2  Def Starters Ret/Lost  9 / 2  Lettermen Returning  50  Off/Def/Spec  22 / 24 / 4  Lettermen Lost    24  2008 Team Stats   Stat NCAA Big 12  Total Offense 376.42 46 10  Rushing Offense 195.75 21 3  Passing Offense 180.67 92 12  Points/Game 28.00 42 9  Total Defense 393.17 85 6  Rushing Defense 137.92 53 7  Passing Defense 255.25 103 6  Pts Allowed/Game   29.33 87 9  Returning Stat Leaders  Rushing  Jay Finley (865 yds, 7 TDs)  Passing  Robert Griffin (2,091 yds, 15 TDs)  Receiving  Kendall Wright (649 yds, 5 TDs)  Tackles  Joe Pawelek (128)  Sacks  Earl Patin (4.0)  INTs    Joe Pawelek (6)

NORMAN, Okla. -- SoonerSports.com continues its 2009 football season preview with an in-depth look at Oklahoma's Week 5 contest against the Baylor Bears.
 

Game Buildup

The so-called "second season" begins with the Big 12 opener for both schools. Baylor has its best team in years and looks to get off to a strong start against a favorable nonconference schedule. With the Red River Rivalry only a week away, OU must not look ahead.
 

Season Outlook

Baylor hopes to become bowl eligible for the first time since 1994.
 
BU's expectations stem primarily from super sophomore QB Robert Griffin III, who can make plays with both his arm and his legs. Baylor's defense is also much improved and features two of the Big 12's best in LB Joe Pawelek and FS Jordan Lake.
 
If the Bears can continue to progress the way they did in 2008, a bowl game is definitely within reach.
 

Player to Watch

Robert Griffin III | QB | No. 10 | Sophomore
Griffin burst onto the scene last year as a dazzling dual-threat QB with blazing speed and a very strong arm.
 
As the nation's youngest starting quarterback a year ago, Griffin accounted for 28 total TDs, 13 of which came on the ground. He also would have had over 1,000 yards rushing if sack-yardage was not deducted.
 
The reigning Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and Freshman All-American has injected a spark in the Baylor program, giving the Bears a serious threat who can change a game on any given play.
 
Other Key Players

LB Joe Pawelek, Sr. DT Phil Taylor, Jr. WR Kendall Wright, So. LB Antonio Johnson, Jr. TE Justin Akers, Jr.

DB Jordan Lake, Sr. RB Jay Finley, Jr. LB Antonio Jones, Sr. OL J.D. Walton, Sr. P Derek Epperson, Jr.

 

Scouting Baylor's Offense

The Bears return a number of other talented players at the skill positions to complement Griffin.
 
At wide receiver, sophomore Kendall Wright has a reputation of making big plays with his speed. Jay Finley returns as the full-time starter at running back this year after splitting carries last season. Houston transfer Terrance Ganaway also looks to get some touches out of the backfield.
 
The Bears must replace three starters up front, including All-America tackle Jason Smith, the second overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Much like the Sooners, the offensive line has been a point of emphasis for BU over the offseason.
 

Scouting Baylor's Defense

Pawelek is Baylor's leader on defense and is one of three returning starters at linebacker. Pawelek filled up the stat sheet last year with 128 tackles and six interceptions. Antonio Johnson and Antonio Jones are also back, giving the Bears a significant amount of experience at the linebacker position. All three players can fly and have the ability to cover the entire field.
 
Lake is a three-year starter returning for his senior season. He averaged over eight tackles per game last year and had three interceptions. Fellow safety Jeremy Williams and cornerback Trentson Hill also return to the secondary, and although the Bears must replace one starting cornerback, this group has as much experience as anyone in the country.
 
Up front, the Bears' strength is their defensive tackles. Phil Taylor, a transfer from Penn State who had to sit out last year, can simply terrorize offenses. Jason Lamb also moves inside after starting last year at defensive end.
 

Game Implications

Both teams want to get off to good start in conference play. The Bears look to prove they are a legitimate bowl contender, while the Sooners hope to carry some momentum into their showdown with Texas the following week.
 
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Stay tuned throughout the summer as we provide an in-depth look at each of OU's 2009 opponents.