CNNSI.com - 2000 College Football Preview - CNNSI.com's Baylor preview

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Baylor Bears

Long way to go for Steele's improving bunch

College Football: The New Century

'99: 1-10, 0-8 Big 12

Coach

Kevin Steele (second season, 1-10)

Key offensive players

Greg Cicero, QB, Jr.
Savvy junior college transfer whose leadership will be critical for a young offense searching for an identity.

Darrell Bush, TB, Sr.
Leading Baylor rusher in '99 (681 yards) must stay healthy to relieve pressure on Cicero.

Joe Jackson, C, Jr.
Only Baylor offensive line starter who will play the same position as last year.

Key defensive players

Kris Mischaux, MLB, Sr.
Hulking 262-pounder who anchors leaky Baylor defense.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Mike Singletary, LB, 1977-80
"Intensity personified."

Brightest Moment: Baylor fans still buzz about Grant Teaff's "Miracle on the Brazos" in 1974. The Bears' 34-24 upset triumph over Texas launched them to their first Southwest Conference title in a half-century.

Lowest Moment: Trying to forge an identity for his new team, rookie coach Steele tried to add another touchdown on the last play of a 1999 game against UNLV, but instead Instead, UNLV cornerback Kevin Thomas returned a fumble 100 yards for a game-winning touchdown.

Gary Baxter, CB, Sr.
Hoping to return to his freshman form after opposing defenses avoided throwing at him last year.

Key newcomer

Cicero, QB, Jr.
Palomar Junior College transfer finally gets to start in the Big 12 after challenging Major Applewhite and Richard Walton for playing time at Texas in 1998.

Throwback player

LB Kris Mischaux -- His tenacity and instincts remind some of a bigger version of former Baylor product Singletary.

21st century player

Concentrating on football during the spring paid huge immediate dividends for former track star Andra Fuller.

Fast fact

Baylor finished last in the Big 12 in 16 of 27 team statistical categories last season.

Outlook

There won't be any quick fixes at Baylor, where Steele hopes to turn around the Bears' fortunes after embarrassing struggles last year. Losing fullback Derek Lagway for the season with an automobile accident won't help. The Bears will be bigger, stronger and faster than at any time since they joined the Big 12. Cicero will give them the best quarterback they've had in several years and a player immediately ready to play. But lack of depth on both lines and having few offensive playmakers will make Steele's rebuilding program excruciatingly slow.

-- Tim Griffin