After giving up 56 points and 620 yards in total offense to Washington in the Alamo Bowl, Baylor went into the spring unsettled on defense, to understate the situation a bit.

But the Bears do have eight starters returning in 2012, including all five defensive backs in the 4-2-5 scheme, and coach Art Briles thinks that experience and a second season under coordinator Phil Bennett will result in improvement this campaign.

"We have a great defensive coaching staff, and our guys have more experience in the system," Briles said at the conclusion of spring drills. "We have a lot more speed on the field, which always makes things easier.

"We have good leadership as well, so I'm excited about where we are going to be come next fall."

Junior nickelback Ahmad Dixon, ...More