If you’re looking for the score of Baylor football game, you probably caught the tail end of a season that felt like a rollercoaster with the brakes cut. The Bears wrapped up their 2025 campaign at McLane Stadium against Houston, and honestly, it wasn't the fairy-tale ending Waco was hoping for.
Houston 31, Baylor 24. That was the final. A one-touchdown gap that felt much wider if you were sitting in the stands on November 29. It capped off a 5-7 season for Dave Aranda's squad, leaving them just one win shy of bowl eligibility. It's the kind of loss that sits in your gut all winter.
Breaking Down the Score of Baylor Football Game
The game against the Cougars was basically a microcosm of Baylor's entire year. High-flying offensive moments followed by defensive lapses that left fans scratching their heads. Sawyer Robertson, who had been a bright spot for much of the fall, threw for 309 yards. He was slinging it. But passing yards don't always translate to points when you're struggling in the red zone.
Houston took an early lead and never really let go. Baylor tried to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter—as they often did this year—but the clock simply ran out on them.
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Why the 24-31 Loss Stings So Much
This wasn't just any regular-season finale. It was Senior Day. It was "254 Day." It was the last chance to extend the season into December. Missing a bowl game by a single score in the final game is a tough pill to swallow for a program that was at the top of the Big 12 just a few years ago.
- The Run Game: Baylor only managed 61 yards on the ground. You can't win in the Big 12 without a rushing attack.
- The Defense: They allowed Houston to dictate the tempo, which has been a recurring theme.
- The Turning Point: A late turnover in the third quarter essentially handed the momentum back to the Cougars just as the Bears were gaining steam.
A Season of "What Ifs"
When you look at the score of Baylor football game results across the 2025 season, you see a lot of close calls. They beat SMU in a wild 48-45 double-overtime thriller. They edged out Kansas State 35-34. But then they dropped games to TCU (36-42) and Colorado in ways that felt avoidable.
Aranda’s seat is definitely getting warmer. While the offense showed life, ranking 34th nationally in points per game, the defense was a different story. They were 122nd in points against. That's a massive disconnect. You can't ask an offense to score 40 points every week just to stay competitive.
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The Big 12 Context
The landscape of the conference has changed so much. With Utah and Arizona joining the fray, the margin for error has evaporated. Baylor’s 3-6 conference record reflects a team that hasn't quite figured out how to bully the new kids on the block. Utah, in particular, handed them a 55-28 drubbing in mid-November that exposed a lot of depth issues.
What's Next for the Bears?
Now that the pads are off and the 2025 score of Baylor football game is etched in the history books, the focus shifts to the transfer portal and recruiting. There are rumors about staff changes, and honestly, they probably need them.
The defense needs a complete identity overhaul. Whether that means a new coordinator or a change in philosophy from Aranda himself remains to be seen. The fans in Waco are loyal, but they're also tired of "almost" winning.
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If you're following Baylor right now, the action has shifted to the hardwood. The basketball team just took down Oklahoma State 94-79 on January 13, 2026, providing a much-needed win for the university's spirits. But for the football faithful, the 31-24 loss to Houston is the score that will haunt the offseason.
Actionable Next Steps for Baylor Fans:
- Monitor the Portal: Watch for defensive line transfers; the Bears desperately need size in the trenches to improve that 122nd-ranked scoring defense.
- Spring Game Attendance: Keep an eye on the April schedule. With Robertson likely returning, the chemistry with receivers like Ketron Jackson Jr. will be the focus.
- Check Recruiting Rankings: Look at how the 2026 class is shaping up. Baylor needs to win back the local Central Texas talent that has been leaning toward Texas or A&M lately.