Baylor beefs up future non-conference schedules with Utah series

Through all the defiance and defense of its lightweight non-conference scheduling, the Baylor Bears have added a Power 5 team to their future slate.

A home-and-home series with the Pac-12's Utah Utes is now on the books for 2023 and 2024. The Bears get the first one at McLane Stadium on Sept. 16, 2023, followed by a Sept. 14, 2024 meeting at Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium.

The Bears have received plenty of criticism for a lack of Power 5 opponents scheduled outside of Big 12 play. Many critics have argued that last season's slate of SMU, Northwestern State and Buffalo helped keep Baylor out of the inaugural playoff.

However, coach Art Briles has been defiant in arguing that those three games had zero effect on how the College Football Playoff selection committee viewed the Bears.

Well, it appears Baylor athletic director Ian McCaw has heard the growing uproar over the Bears' schedule and has started to toughen it up, even if it is still a ways away.

“We are excited to begin a football series with Utah," McCaw said in a statement. "The Utes have enjoyed considerable success on the national level, including five 10-win seasons since 2003.”

(h/t Dallas Morning News)

Photo Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports