Baylor in good hands with Stidham at QB

Critics have called Baylor head coach Art Briles' offense a "plug-and-play" unit with a "system" quarterback. Well, now that system will be put to the test in hyper-mode.

Quarterback Seth Russell assumed the starting role this season and was putting up Heisman Trophy numbers while leading the Bears to a 7-0 start. But Baylor lost the starter for the rest of the season after he suffered a neck injury in the fourth quarter of a 45-27 win over Iowa State.

Now, Briles will turn the offense over to freshman Jarrett Stidham, a four-star recruit who has played mostly mop-up duty this season.

"We certainly have plenty of confidence in Jarrett," the coach said in a teleconference Monday. "He is beyond his years maturity-wise. He doesn't seem like a freshman or perform like a freshman. He's a guy that is instinctively and athletically ready to play.

"We felt all along that he was in line to be a productive player for us and our team will rally around him."

Baylor's bye week couldn't have come at a better time as the Bears will take this weekend off to prepare for a game at Kansas State on Nov. 5.

"I think the extra week of practice is critical," Briles said. "It will give him more work with Kyle Fuller, our center and give him time to get more cohesive with our running backs and get the timing down with our receivers because he's primarily been throwing to our twos in practice."

So far this season, Stidham has gone 24-of-28 for 331 yards and six touchdowns for a passing efficiency rating of 255.7. He can do even more damage with many talented offensive weapons to lean on.

"With the offensive line we have and the dynamic skill players we have, it makes all the difference in the world for Jarrett," Briles added. "It certainly takes a lot of pressure off the situation. But he certainly is a capable player. I believe he is ready."

Chris Johnson, a quarterback who moved to receiver earlier this season, will move back to the quarterback position in a backup role.

After their game at Kansas State, the Bears will play Oklahoma and back-to-back road games at Oklahoma State and TCU, both of which are currently undefeated.