Season Opener Set for High‑Stakes Showdown
The Baylor Bears will open their 2026 campaign on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. inside the newly renovated McLane Stadium, facing the Prairie View A&M Panthers in a contest that promises to set the tone for the season.
Just days earlier, the Bears fell by a single point in Atlanta, where a missed two‑point conversion turned a 17‑16 lead into a loss against Auburn, leaving them with a 0‑1 record and a need to rebound quickly.
Prairie View A&M arrives as the defending SWAC champion and the preseason favorite to repeat as league king, boasting a roster that returns four starters on the offensive line and has limited opponents to just eight sacks in the previous year.
At the heart of the Panthers’ attack is running back Chase Bingmon, the 2025 SWAC Freshman of the Year whose 980 yards and eight touchdowns from the prior season underscore his importance to the offense.
Quarterback Tevin Carter and wide receiver Rodny Ojo give the Panthers additional playmaking options, while the veteran head coach Tremaine Jackson, a former AFCA National D2 Coach of the Year at Valdosta State, brings experience and strategic acumen.
The Bears’ upcoming schedule features a three‑game homestand that begins with this showdown, continues with a battle against Louisiana Tech, and concludes with a road test at Colorado, offering a varied slate of challenges.
Fans can follow the action live on ESPN+ with commentators Mark Neely and Barrett Brooks, while the Baylor Sports Media Network will provide alternate coverage featuring John Morris, Geff Gandy and Bryson Jackson.