What's Happening?
The Baylor Bears football team has been left out of the early 2026 college football top 25 rankings released by several major sports publications. As the college football offseason begins, these rankings provide
an early look at the teams expected to perform well in the upcoming season. Notably, Baylor's absence from these lists highlights the challenges they may face in the 2026 season. Publications such as ESPN, CBS Sports, and Sporting News have included teams like Ohio State, Texas, and Georgia at the top of their rankings, with Indiana also receiving significant attention. Baylor's 2026 opponents, including Texas Tech, BYU, and Houston, have been ranked, indicating a competitive schedule ahead for the Bears.
Why It's Important?
The exclusion of Baylor from the early top 25 rankings could have implications for the team's visibility and recruitment efforts. Rankings often influence public perception and can impact a team's ability to attract top talent. Additionally, being left out of these early lists may serve as motivation for the team to prove themselves in the upcoming season. For the Big 12 conference, having multiple teams ranked, including Texas Tech and BYU, suggests a strong competitive environment that Baylor will need to navigate. The rankings also reflect broader trends in college football, with traditional powerhouses like Ohio State and Georgia maintaining their status at the top.
What's Next?
As the 2026 season approaches, Baylor will have the opportunity to challenge these early assessments by performing well against ranked opponents. The team may focus on strengthening their roster and strategies during the offseason to improve their chances of breaking into future rankings. The upcoming games against ranked teams like Texas Tech and BYU will be crucial for Baylor to demonstrate their capabilities and potentially alter perceptions. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how Baylor responds to being overlooked in these early predictions.
