On the eve of a season opener, the Big 12 champion Baylor Bears have one last piece of negative news to sort through. Baylor defensive end Shawn Oakman and defensive back Orion Stewart have each been suspended for the season opener against SMU.
Both have been suspended for a violation of team rules, and each will be eligible to return to the team in Week 2. Oakman and Stewart are both starters for Baylor’s defense, but the Bears should manage to get by their first game of the year even without them.
Not that losing a guy who recorded 11 sacks last season is insignificant, but Baylor’s offense should put up big numbers against a team that has a total rebuild underway with a new head coach. SMU was blanked by Baylor last season, 45-0. Even with a new quarterback, Baylor’s offense should be tough for the Mustangs to slow down Friday night.