Baylor Football's 2023 Season Review: Key Wins, Losses and Future Outlook

Looking back at Baylor Football's 2023 season, I can't help but feel a mix of pride and frustration—the kind of emotional cocktail that only college football can deliver. As someone who's followed this program for over a decade, I've seen enough seasons to recognize when a team is building toward something special, and when they're just treading water. This year felt like a bit of both, if I'm being completely honest. We started with such promise—the energy around McLane Stadium was electric during our home opener, and the coaching staff seemed to have finally figured out how to maximize our offensive weapons. But football seasons are marathons, not sprints, and Baylor's journey through 2023 proved exactly that.

I still vividly remember that stunning victory against Texas Tech in October—the game where our defense absolutely dominated, forcing four turnovers and completely shutting down their passing game. That 31-14 win wasn't just another check in the win column; it felt like a statement that Baylor could compete with anyone in the Big 12 when we brought our A-game. The atmosphere in the stadium that night was something I'll carry with me for years—the sea of green and gold, the roar after each defensive stop, the sheer joy on the players' faces as the clock ran out. Those are the moments that make all the heartache of being a college football fan worthwhile. Then there was that heartbreaking loss to Kansas State—a game we absolutely should have won if not for those two crucial turnovers in the fourth quarter. I've replayed that final interception in my mind more times than I care to admit, wondering what might have been if we'd just run the ball instead.

What struck me most about this season was watching our younger players develop. Seeing freshman quarterback RJ Martinez grow from a hesitant starter in September to a confident field general by November was genuinely exciting. His completion percentage jumped from 58% early in the season to nearly 67% in the final four games—that kind of development doesn't happen by accident. It speaks to the quality of coaching and the kid's own work ethic. I've been around this program long enough to recognize special talent when I see it, and Martinez has the potential to be one of the best quarterbacks Baylor has seen in recent memory if he continues on this trajectory.

The reference to Estil's comment about being teammates with stars like Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar resonates with me when I think about Baylor's team chemistry this season. Watching our players celebrate each other's successes reminded me of that same sense of awe and camaraderie—when veteran leaders like linebacker Matt Jones would genuinely celebrate a freshman's first sack, or when our offensive line rallied around a backup running back during his breakout game against Oklahoma State. That kind of team chemistry is priceless, and in my opinion, it's what separates good teams from great ones. We might not have had the most talented roster in the conference, but the players genuinely fought for each other week in and week out.

Our special teams were, frankly, inconsistent throughout the season. Kicker Isaiah Hankins was money from inside 40 yards, hitting 14 of 15 attempts, but his struggles beyond that range cost us dearly in close games against TCU and Iowa State. I've always believed that having a reliable kicker is like having an insurance policy—you don't appreciate it until you need it and don't have it. The punt coverage unit was solid, allowing only 7.2 yards per return, but our kick return game never really found its rhythm, averaging just 19.8 yards per return—that's bottom-third in the conference and an area that definitely needs improvement.

Looking ahead to next season, I'm cautiously optimistic. We're losing some key seniors, particularly on the defensive line, but we've got promising recruits coming in and several redshirt freshmen who showed flashes of potential in limited action this year. The schedule looks manageable, with five home games in the first seven weeks, giving us a chance to build momentum early. If we can stay healthy—which was a real issue this year, with 12 players missing significant time due to various injuries—I think this team can compete for the Big 12 championship. The foundation is there, the coaching staff has proven they can develop talent, and the players have bought into the system.

What I'll remember most about this season isn't the final 7-5 record or the bowl game appearance, but rather the resilience this team showed when things got tough. After that demoralizing loss to West Virginia, when many teams would have folded, our guys came back the next week and dominated Oklahoma State. That kind of mental toughness is what builds championship programs, and I saw glimpses of it throughout the season. The future looks bright for Baylor football, and as someone who's been through the ups and downs with this program, I can't wait to see what comes next. We might not be Alabama or Georgia yet, but we're building something special here in Waco, and I feel privileged to watch it unfold season after season.