THIS WEEK'S GAME: Baylor vs. Wake Forest, Aug. 28 -- A tough way for the Art Briles Era to begin, against the No. 23 team in the country in a Thursday night game for the world to see. The Bears, 12-point underdogs in the opener, have five of their first six at home but none will be easy.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The QB -- It wasn't clear as this was being written who would start the opener, but winning the nod immediately puts Blake Szymanski, Robert Griffin or Kirby Freeman under the guy.

RB Jay Finley -- New coach Art Briles thinks Finley has the ability to emerge as a 1,000-yard rusher.

S Jordan Lake -- One of the best tacklers in the Big 12, he was in on 120 tackles last year, recording six double-figure games.

Slot WR John David Weed -- One of the many former QBs playing other positions on this football team.

ROSTER REPORT

--The Waco Tribune reported former Penn State DT Phil Taylor, booted from that program after being involved in an on-campus fight, had enrolled at Baylor and will sit out this season with two years of eligibility left. He re-joins former Penn State assistant Brian Norwood, now the defensive coordinator at Baylor. "He's a big-time player who will definitely help us the next two years," said Baylor coach Art Briles. "It will help him to have a year (of practice) in our system." He was in trouble at Penn State before this latest incident.

--Junior college transfer Jeremy Sanders switched from QB to RB during camp.

--RB Ray Sims has moved to S.

--Freshman K Ben Parks was making a run at beating out Shea Brewster.

--WRs Kendall Wright and Romie Blaylock were two other true freshmen set to earn time.

--LB Joe Pawelek (Butkus), S Jordan Lake (Thorpe) and C J.D. Walton (Rimington) were all on preseason award watch lists.

--QB John David Weed shifted to IR.

--Zac Sutton switched from QB to DE.

--Krys Buerck moved from WR to CB.

--OT Jordan Hearvey had a strong camp fighting for the only OL spot not manned by a returning starter.

--Seven former walk-ons were rewarded with scholarships.

--The Bears got a verbal commitment from prized local OG Ivory Wade, ranked No. 10 among guards in the country by Rivals.com.

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