Terrel Bernard
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates winning the College Football Playoff Championship game against Alabama, getting a hoist from outside linebacker Bolan Smith, early Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Final rankings and future prospects

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 11, 2022 12:11 PM EST

Baylor coach Dave Aranda is doused by offensive lineman Tate Williams (77) after the team's 21-7 victory over Mississippi in the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
No. 6 Baylor tops No. 8 Ole Miss in Sugar Bowl; Corral hurt

By Brett Martel Jan. 02, 2022 12:53 AM EST

FILE - Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson rushes in on Maryland during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Maryland and Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in College Park, Md.. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Hutchinson, Milton, Weaver honored for college comebacks

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 21, 2021 01:37 PM EST

FILE - Baylor coach Dave Aranda watches from the sideline during the team's NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Waco, Texas, Nov. 13, 2021. Aranda got 15 of the 20 votes for coach of the year in balloting for The Associated Press' All-Big 12 team and awards. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin, File)
Cyclones RB Hall, Bears' Aranda, Pitre win AP Big 12 honors

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 09, 2021 11:51 AM EST

FILE - Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson rushers against Maryland during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in College Park, Md. Hutchinson was selected to The Associated Press All-Big Ten team in results released Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Hutchinson leads Mayo Clinic Comeback Player semifinalists

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 09, 2021 10:22 AM EST

Oklahoma State running back Dezmon Jackson (27) is tackled by Baylor linebacker Dillon Doyle short of the goal line in the second half of an NCAA college football game for the Big 12 Conference championship in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Tim Heitman)
Baylor holds on for Big 12 title, knocks Okla St out of CFP

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 04, 2021 04:07 PM EST

Baylor safety Jalen Pitre shouts to his teammates in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson)
Pitre began as lone recruit for No. 9 Baylor after scandal

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 03, 2021 01:57 AM EST

Baylor running back Abram Smith scores a touchdown past Texas Tech defensive lineman Jaylon Hutchings in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson)
No. 5 Oklahoma State takes on No. 9 Baylor for Big 12 title

By The Associated Press Dec. 02, 2021 04:26 PM EST

Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders (3) carries for a touchdown past Oklahoma defensive back Billy Bowman (5) and defensive lineman Josh Ellison during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma State faces Baylor for Big 12 title with eye on CFP

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 02, 2021 01:40 PM EST

Texas Tech wide receiver Kaylon Geiger catches a pass between Baylor cornerback Zeke Brown and safety Jairon McVea, right, in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson)
Defenses in spotlight for Oklahoma St-Baylor Big 12 matchup

By Cliff Brunt Dec. 01, 2021 03:14 PM EST

Iowa State running back Breece Hall (28) tries to break a tackle by Texas defensive back Brenden Schooler during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Smith LB to RB to lead Big 12 quintet of 1,000-yard rushers

By Stephen Hawkins Nov. 23, 2021 05:28 PM EST

Baylor running back Abram Smith (7) breaks free on a 75-yard run as he is chased by Oklahoma linebacker David Ugwoegbu (2), safety Pat Fields (10) and linebacker Shane Whitter (13) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Waco, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
No. 18 Baylor 27-14 win ends No. 4 Oklahoma 17-game streak

By Stephen Hawkins Nov. 13, 2021 03:46 PM EST

Baylor head coach Dave Aranda, left, and Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley, right, shake hands before an NCAA college football game in Waco, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Oklahoma at Baylor 11/13/2021

Nov. 13, 2021 11:57 AM EST

Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard (2) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Texas, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
Texas at Baylor 10/30/2021

Oct. 30, 2021 11:23 AM EDT

Baylor head coach Dave Aranda looks on from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against BYU, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Waco, Texas. Baylor won 38-24. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
No. 16 Baylor has a chance to finish Texas in Big 12

By Jim Vertuno Oct. 28, 2021 03:10 AM EDT

FILE - Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross (8) plays during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Ohio State in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, file photo. Florida State quarterback McKenzie Milton and Clemson receiver Justyn Ross, both of whom faced potential career-threatening injuries, are among the nominees for college football's Comeback Player of the Year award. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
FSU's Milton among nominees for Comeback Player of Year

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 07, 2021 04:29 PM EDT

West Virginia running back Leddie Brown (4) is defended by Texas Tech defensive back Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (25) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Morgantown, W.Va., Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Kathleen Batten)
Baylor, West Virginia trying to get run games going again

By John Raby Oct. 07, 2021 10:41 AM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, file photo, Baylor's JT Woods, right, celebrates with safety Jalen Pitre, center right, and other teammates after returning an interception for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Texas State in San Marcos, Texas. Baylor’s defense had three interceptions in the season opener .AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
Baylor vs Texas Southern, 1st non-league home game since '19

Sep. 09, 2021 03:06 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 15, 2021, file photo, Baylor head coach Dave Aranda smiles as he listens to a question during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big 12 media days in Arlington, Texas. Aranda is going into his second season as Baylor’s head coach, and his first non-conference game. The Bears open their season Saturday night at Texas State. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
Baylor's Bohanon finally starting QB in opener at Texas St

Sep. 02, 2021 03:47 PM EDT

FILE - Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) throws a pass during an NCAA college football game against Iowa State for the Big 12 Conference championship, in Arlington, Texas, in this Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, file photo. Rattler was selected to The Associated Press Preseason All-America first team offense, Monday Aug. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter, File)
Awkward future for Big 12 even with Oklahoma favored again

By Stephen Hawkins Aug. 27, 2021 03:10 AM EDT