Baylor continues to, as its fearless leader Art Briles says, "turn hype into type," and in 2015 will field a veteran and proven team seeking to win a third consecutive Big 12 championship.

"We've got a very mature, very experienced football team that knows how to win big football games," Briles said.

The 2015 Bears return 30 veterans who have lettered on back-to-back Big 12 championship teams (and another 22 with one letter, from the 2014 title team). That's 52 lettermen with at least one ring who have been there, and done that, at a championship level.

After rebuilding Baylor football to an elite national level, any question of whether Briles could sustain the Bears' program among the nation's football powers was erased in 2014 -- as BU repeated as Big 12 champions and finished seventh nationally. The Bears return 18 starters from the 2014 title squad and are a consensus top 10 pick in 2015 preseason projections.

Departed from 2014 are All-Americans Bryce Petty, Bryce Hager and Antwan Goodley, as well as two other NFL signees Levi Norwood and Spencer Roth. But the 2015 roster is loaded with decorated veterans led by returning All-Americans Spencer Drango (2014 consensus OT), Shawn Oakman (2014 third team DE - AP, Lindy's, Phil Steele) and Corey Coleman (2014 honorable mention WR - Sports Illustrated) as well as returning All-Big 12 honorees DE Andrew Billings, DT Beau Blackshear, WR KD Cannon, C Kyle Fuller, CB Xavien Howard, RB Shock Linwood, OG Blake Muir and S Orion Stewart (not to mention 2014 Freshman All-Americans Taylor Young and K.J. Smith).

Baylor's veteran-laden squad has experience at all positions, and enters the season with new starters at just three positions: quarterback, middle linebacker and "Bear" nickleback. The 2015 Bears squad combines the nation's most potent offense (led NCAA in yards, 581.5, and scoring, 48.2 points, in 2014) with a deep, veteran defense (nine starters, 25 lettermen return).

"We know our guys know how to win at the highest level," Briles said. "We want to dominate how we prepare, and then dominate our opponents and dominate as individuals. That's what we want to do."

Baylor opens the season Sept. 4 at SMU, hosts six contests at beautiful riverside McLane Stadium and also plays its annual shootout vs. Texas Tech at AT&T Stadium on Oct. 3. Primetime TV games have already been identified as the Bears play at Kansas State Nov. 5 on Thursday night and at TCU on Friday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 27). But the road to the Big 12 title will once again go through Waco (Baylor has won 16 straight at home), and BU's home schedule is highlighted by visits from West Virginia (Oct. 17), Oklahoma (Nov. 14) and the regular-season finale vs. Texas on Dec. 5.

OFFENSE
There's a new play-caller, offensive coordinator Kendal Briles (who made his debut in his new position in the 2015 Cotton Bowl), and new signal-caller, fourth-year junior Russell (who has one career start and 15 career games played) -- but most everything else returns as the nation's most explosive offense reloads for 2015.

The Bears, who have led the nation in total offense and scoring each of the past two seasons, return their entire starting offensive line from the bowl game, the entire backfield, and 10 of 13 receivers from 2014.

Baylor's OFFENSIVE LINE, the engine of "America's Top Offense," has for five straight seasons produced a 1,000-yard rusher and for four straight seasons powered a top-five ranked total offense unit.

The Baylor O-Line, under the tutelage of running game coordinator Randy Clements, has produced six NFL Draft picks over the last seven seasons and in 2015 returns six linemen with eight or more career starts.

The line is led by returning 2014 consensus All-American Drango (35 career starts). The venerable captain, fourth-year starter and two-time first-team All-Big 12 honoree is an Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award candidate at left tackle.

Right tackle will be manned by Pat Colbert, a senior with a mean streak with eight previous career starts. Reserves include sophomores Tanner Thrift and Ishmael Wilson (a former transfer from Texas A&M).

Likely starters at guard are seniors Blake Muir (12 career starts) and Jarell Broxton (eight starts), while senior Desmine Hilliard (a dual-sport athlete with 18 career starts who throws for BU's track and field squad) will also vie for playing time.

Muir is a returning All-Big 12 honoree and former transfer who started 12 games at Baylor as a junior and 12 games at Hawai'i as a redshirt freshman in 2012. Broxton is a talented second-year transfer from Lackawanna College who started the final eight games of 2014. Briles refers to Broxton as "a stud" who is in position to take the next step and be dominant. Another transfer, Rami Hammad who arrived from Texas prior to 2014, is available at guard.

Anchoring the line is junior returning All-Big 12 honorable mention center Kyle Fuller, a junior who started all 13 games in 2014 and coaches expect big things from. Listed as backup on the post-spring depth chart is redshirt freshman Blake Blackmar.

Line reserves include junior transfer Dom Desouza, sophomore Sean Muir and redshirt freshmen Patrick Lawrence and Josh Pelzel.

The strength of the BACKFIELD lies in its youthful but experienced running back corps. The Bears return their top four tailbacks, led by 2014 first-team All-Big 12 rusher Shock Linwood. Linwood, an all-purpose back and Doak Walker candidate (2,133 career yards and 24 career TDs), ran for 1,252 yards and 16 TDs last year as a sophomore.

"He's just a machine," Briles said, "he's steady, he's a contributor, and he's a fierce competitor." Behind Linwood are sophomore Johnny Jefferson, junior Devin Chafin and redshirt freshman Terence Williams.

Jefferson is a shifty, elusive back who ran for 524 yards and six TDs in his rookie season last year. Chafin is a powerful, hard-running back that Briles said can be dominating. He has totaled 678 yards and 12 TDs in two seasons of backup service while fighting through injuries. Williams, a tall, punishing runner, is ready to suit up after a redshirt season in 2014.

Taking over the reins at quarterback is Russell, who started one game last year in place of the departed Petty. The deceptively fast and athletic junior threw for 804 yards and eight TDs in eight games played in 2014.

"Our number one key is Seth, being predictable," Briles said. "His job is going to be to utilize his talents in a predictable environment, because he is a talented player and it's just got to be like breathing, you just do it."

Backing up Russell are sophomore Chris Johnson, an athletic dual-threat QB entering his third season in the system, and Jarrett Stidham, a true freshman phenom who enrolled in January and went through spring drills. Johnson took snaps in four games last season (4-4, 45 yards passing) as a redshirt freshman.

The spotlight on Baylor's offense shines brightest on its renowned RECEIVING CORPS, a highly productive unit that in the Briles system has churned out record-shattering results and produced NFL alumni.

Gone are All-American Antwan Goodley and All-Big 12 honoree Levi Norwood, but with 10 of 13 2014 receivers back, including the nation's only duo of returning 1,000-yard receivers and two talented redshirts, the 2015 version of "Wide Receiver U" will be as strong as ever.

Leading the way is All-American Corey Coleman, a tough, quick, fourth-year junior who amassed 64 catches, 1,119 yard and 11 TDs despite missing three games in 2014.

"Corey brings a toughness and attitude to not just to the offense, but this team," Briles said. "And he elevated his leadership and mental level this spring."

Also returning from a sensational Freshman All-America debut season is electrifying sophomore KD Cannon, who caught 58 passes for 1,030 yards and eight TDs in 2014.

"We know what KD and Corey can do," Briles said. "We are looking for others to step up."

Other veterans include Jay Lee, a steady senior who made 41 receptions for 633 yards and six TDs in 2014 who Briles expects to take a big step in 2015, and versatile junior Lynx Hawthorne who totaled 14-165-2 last year and impressed the staff all spring, and sophomore Quan Jones.

The youth of the corps includes a trio that, along with Cannon, made up Baylor's highly decorated 2014 quartet of receiver signees: second-year sophomore Davion Hall and redshirt freshmen Chris Platt and Ishmael Zamora.

Hall, a former prep All-American, showed promise as a true freshman in 2014 with 15 receptions and one TD. Platt, a speedster who also runs track for BU, and Zamora, a sleeper who combines size and speed, will both see opportunities in their rookie seasons in 2015.

"Chris, Ishmael and Davion, all have to be ready anytime the ball is coming their way," Briles said. They have to be ready to make a play with it. When they get their opportunities they have to make them count."

True freshman Blake Lynch is an early enrollee who participated in spring drills.

The tight end position is stocked with veterans, led by junior Tre'Von Armstead, a 6-6 punishing former offensive lineman, and the much-publicized giant, senior LaQuan McGowan. McGowan is a 6-7, 410-pound former o-lineman who turned heads nationally in the Cotton Bowl with an 18-yard TD reception. Senior Gus Penning, a third-year former transfer, second-year sophomore Jordan Feuerbacher and senior Lee Bristow, a former walk-on linebacker, provide depth at the position.

"We feel like we've got four or five guys that are bangers and ballers," Briles said of the h-backs and tight ends in the slot.

DEFENSE
The unheralded aspect of Baylor's back-to-back Big 12 title runs has been the Bears' defense. And the youthful 2013 and 2014 championship squads have matured into a veteran 2015 defense made up of nine returning starters and 25 returning lettermen.

"We feel going into 2015 that our defense needs to carry us," Briles said, "particularly early in the season until we can find out exactly how we are going to gel with Seth; and how our receivers fit together."

Gone are All-American and NFL Draftee Bryce Hager as well as nickelback Collin Brence, but the remainder of the 2014 squad returns.

"I see depth," defensive coordinator Phil Bennett said of his defense following spring drills. "We can play more players, we have more options; which is what we had two years ago when we were a top 20 pass defense."

The strength of Bennett's D is undoubtedly the DEFENSIVE LINE, a group loaded with talent that Briles said "there's none better."

The returning starting rotation, made up of senior All-American Shawn Oakman, a trio of All-Big 12 honorees in junior Andrew Billings and seniors Beau Blackshear and Jamal Palmer, and 2014 Freshman All-American K.J. Smith, has combined for 128 career games, 340 tackles, 87.5 TFL and 33.5 sacks. The line ranked seventh nationally in rushing yards-per-play allowed in 2014, giving up just 3.15 per-rush.

"I was saying a year ago that we were going to have the best team in all of America, and we have all those guys back and they're experienced," Briles said.

Oakman, a 6-9, 275-pound physical freak anchors one end of the line. The Bednarik, Bronko Nagurski, Rotary Lombardi and Ted Hendricks Awards candidate totaled 11 sacks and 19.5 tackles-for-loss in his first year as a starter in 2014.

On the other end, Palmer returns from an injury that shortened his 2014 season to five games (2.5 sacks). The dynamic senior had 11 tackles for loss and five sacks as a reserve in 2013 when he earned All-Big 12 honorable mention. Smith started the final eight games of 2014 as a redshirt freshman and finished with five sacks and 45 tackles.

Another promising option at end is former prep All-American Brian Nance, a sophomore who earned praise from the coaching staff for having a, "great spring." Redshirt freshmen Jamie Jacobs, Xavier Jones and Greg Roberts provide depth at the end position.

On the inside, physical beast Billings locks down the nose tackle position. The junior All-America candidate and record-breaking weight-lifter is coming off a consensus first-team All-Big 12 season as a sophomore in 2014 (11.5 TFL, two sacks).

Blackshear, a senior third-year starter at tackle and 2013 All-Big 12 selection, has 39 career games and 92 career tackles under his belt.

Reserves on the interior include junior Byron Bonds and redshirt freshmen Ira Lewis, Josh Malin and Andrew Morris.

The only two holes to fill on defense are in the LINEBACKING CORPS, where departures at middle linebacker and the hybrid "Bear" linebacker/safety position mean new starters in 2015.

The weakside and middle linebacker spots will be manned by what Bennett refers to as three players of starter quality in 2014 Freshman All-American Taylor Young, senior Grant Campbell and junior Aiavion Edwards.

Young, a driven and powerful leader, was named 2014 Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and 2015 Cotton Bowl Defensive MVP as a rookie. He totaled 92 tackles in eight starts at MLB as a redshirt freshman.

Campbell, a second-year former junior college transfer, earned praise all spring. "I want to see him be that guy play-in-and-play-out," Briles said. "He was physical."

Edwards started five games at the Mike position while battling injuries in 2014. Bennett considers the versatile veteran a third starter and said he can play either Will or Mike in 2015. Depth at linebacker will be provided by junior Kendall Ehrlich and sophomores Raaquan Davis and Xavier Phillips.

At the nickelback "Bear", sophomore Travon Blanchard emerged as the starter following spring drills. The rangy third-year back made 31 tackles and one interception as a redshirt freshman in 2014.

"Travon is what we've been looking for, a guy that can run and is very athletic and mature," Briles said.

Also vying for snaps at the Bear will be Pat Levels, an athletic fourth-year junior, and redshirt freshman Cordell Dorsey.

The SECONDARY returns four starters and is loaded with veteran upper-classmen.

"I think we'll be better in the secondary," Bennett said. "We have some real good possibilities if we stay healthy and stay hungry."

Both starting safeties return in All-Big 12 junior Orion Stewart and senior third-year starter Terrell Burt. Stewart is a vocal, athletic back with seven interceptions in two seasons and the returning starter at down safety. Behind him, third-year junior Taion Sells (15 games, one interception) and sophomore Alfred Pullom (13 games, one interception) have shown lots of promise.

At cover safety, Burt is a tough, mature veteran with 39 career games played and 119 tackles. His backup, Chance Waz, is a talented sophomore who played 11 games as a true freshman in 2014. All-Big 12 corner Xavien Howard is a returning starter as a junior after leading squad in interceptions (four) and breakups (13) in 2014.

The other cornerback spot will be a battle between juniors Ryan Reid and Tion Wright. Reid is a 12-game starter in 2014 who recorded 12 PBUs. Wright is in his second year since transferring from Moorpark College and impressed coaches with his play in the spring.

Reserves at corner include junior Terrence Singleton and redshirt freshmen Jourdan Blake and Verkedric Vaughns. Singleton is an athletic, fourth-year back and former prep QB.

"I think we have more guys capable of playing," Bennett said. "We're further along now, spring helped us solidify some depth."

SPECIAL TEAMS
Gone is four-year starting punter Spencer Roth, but back is record-setting place-kicker Chris Callahan. Callahan is a third-year sophomore who broke the school's scoring record with 129 points kicking in 2014. He kicked the game-winning field goal with no time remaining in last season's epic 61-58 win over TCU.

The kickoff duties will continue to be handled by sophomore Spencer Evans.

Drew Galitz, a true freshman from Rowlett (Texas) High School, is slated to take over at punter for Roth, who left for the NFL.

At long snapper will be experienced senior Jimmy Landes, and junior Hawthorne is expected to assume holding responsibility.

Gone is four-year returner Norwood, and likely replacements include Coleman (punts) and Jefferson and Zamora (kickoffs).