Baylor: Bears games were exciting. Ranking 2nd in yards per play offense and 104th in yards per play defense will do that. Quarterback Nick Florence led the nation in total offense, putting up more yards per game than RG3 did in his Heisman year. Baylor finished 7-5, though that was in a very deep Big 12. Their tally included a blowout of Kansas State and one-score losses to West Virginia, Texas and Oklahoma on the road. This season may be a mere prelude. Briles expects a crack at the Big 12 title in 2013.

UCLA: UCLA had a strong first season under Jim L. Mora. He kept his controversies off the field. The Bruins went 9-4, missing the game-tying field goal against Stanford in the Pac 12 title game. This may have been a masterful coaching job. It may merely have been a competent one that drew performances from a talented roster. Had he to do it over again, Pistol Rick might not have redshirted Brett Hundley in 2011.

Points, Points, Points: Kansas on Nov. 3. That was the only participant in any Baylor game this season that did not score at least three touchdowns.

Recreational Prediction: Baylor [+3]. Baylor is slightly better. Take the points in a shootout.

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