Baylor football kicks off highly anticipated 2025 season this Friday

August 27, 2025 // Posted In Athletics

Sawyer Robertson and Bryson Washington celebrate a touchdown

As Baylor football prepares to kick off the 2025 season Friday night at McLane Stadium, the buzz surrounding the team feels elevated — and it’s easy to see why. The Bears finished 2024 as one of the nation’s hottest teams, winning their last six regular season games and delivering a top-20 national offense. This year’s squad returns key performers on both sides of the ball, led by breakout quarterback Sawyer Robertson; his performance is just one of many reasons Baylor fans are so excited:

Elite Non-Conference Schedule — Opening Night at McLane is always exciting, but there’s added juice this year. The Bears face SEC foe Auburn in a sold-out Friday night matchup that will have the nation’s attention early. That’s followed the following Saturday by a matchup against in-state rival SMU, an ACC squad who reached the College Football Playoff last year. Outlets like On3 have rated Baylor’s opening slate among the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation.
Sawyer Robertson — Coming into this season, everyone recognizes QB1. After finishing the season with over 3,000 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, he’s widely recognized as one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12. His return gives the Bears their most experienced returning starter since the 2020 season.
Other Returning Stars — Running back Bryson Washington set the Baylor freshman running back record last year, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark. His return sets the tone for the running game. Josh Cameron, Ashtyn Hawkins and Michael Trigg are back, meaning the Bears return three of their top four receivers from last season. Four starters from last year’s offensive line — recognized No. 6 nationally by Sport Source Analysis last year — return as well. Defensively, leading tackler Keaton Thomas is back at linebacker, along with defensive line starters Jackie Marshall and Cooper Lanz and interceptions leader Devyn Bobby in the secondary.
Competitive Big 12 Conference — While there was no Big 12 preseason poll this year, it’s clear that pundits see the league as perhaps the nation’s most competitive top-to-bottom. While the Bears aren’t the only team to return key players, the team’s continuity in key roles, most notably quarterback, could provide a competitive edge. They’re recognized as an underrated Big 12 team by CBS Sports, and if the Bears are flying high through their first four games, they’ll be in the driver’s seat to make Phil Steele’s prediction of a Big 12 title look prescient.

Of course, all that’s down the line. What we know for sure is that excitement for opening night is at a fever pitch, as long-held gameday traditions take center stage alongside new-look chrome helmets for the Blackout on the Brazos to kick off the year. Kickoff is at 7 p.m., and if you can’t make it, you can watch the game across the nation on FOX (with the added bonus of hearing Baylor’s Heisman-winning quarterback, Robert Griffin III, on the call).

We’ll see you at McLane.

Sic ’em, Bears!