Getting to Know Ole Miss’ Sugar Bowl Opponent, the Baylor Bears

NEW ORLEANS – Ole Miss began the 2020 season at home against Florida. That was not supposed to be the season-opening game.

The Rebels were slated to start the season in Houston against Baylor. But COVID-19 prompted the Southeastern Conference to play a league-only schedule and the game was scrapped.

The pair will meet, although a little later than anticipated, and this time it will be in the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans New Year’s Day.

Ole Miss has played the Bears before. Baylor hosted the Rebels in the opening game of the 1975 season, with Baylor winning 20-10. The next week, another SEC team went to Waco and Auburn tied the Bears, 10-10.

So, with 46 years between meetings, just what do Ole Miss fans really know about Baylor? Here is a look at the folks the Rebels will meet in New Orleans.

WHY IS THE SCHOOL CALLED BAYLOR?

The university is named for Alabama native, Texas district judge. R.E.B. Baylor. It is kind of cool his initials spell “Reb.”

He and Reverend William Milton Tryon suggested to the Union Baptist Association a Baptist university should be established. It was and took Baylor’s name.

A private school located in Waco, Texas, the school received its charter by the last Congress of the Republic of Texas. That was nine years after the Battle of the Alamo. Baylor is also the longest continuously operating universities in Texas.

WHO WENT TO BAYLOR?

Baylor has an impressive group of alums. Athletically, it produced 2011 Heisman winner Robert Griffin III, Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Singletary, women’s basketball superstar Brittney Griner and five-time Olympic gold medalist, Michael Johnson.

In other areas, Baylor has produced, ventriloquist Jeff Dunham, “Wings” actress Crystal Bernard, ESPN anchor Trey Wingo, former Texas governor Ann Richards and most importantly, Willie Nelson.

WHY IS BAYLOR CALLED THE BEARS?

In 1914, the students voted to have the school’s mascot be the bear. The live American black bear mascot is named Judge after the university’s namesake. But what if the bear had lost the vote over a century ago? Other possibilities included the Buffalos, Eagles, Antelopes and what could have been the coolest mascot in history – the Bookworms.

A REALLY COOL TRADITION

In 1970, Baylor began what is known as “The Baylor Line.” The line is comprised of only new students at the university. They arrive early at home games wearing jerseys featuring the number representing the students’ anticipated year of graduation and their nickname on the nameplate.

Prior to the game, the line gathers at the south end of McLane Stadium and the members run onto the field to form a human tunnel for the team to enter to field. Then the group heads to its reserved section in the stands behind the bench to watch the game. The Line stays until after the game and does not leave until the singing of the school song, “That Good Old Baylor Line.”

WHY DOES BAYLOR WEAR GREEN AND GOLD?

In 1897, the Baylor debate team was on a train traveling to a competition in Bryan, Texas. A member of the student committee who was a member of the debate team had been tabbed to select the school colors. He looked out the window of the train and on the Texas countryside, he noticed the spring dandelions. He remarked how the vivid yellow and green flowers made a “lovely combination.” The school agreed and the green and gold colors were adopted.

NOT QUITE HOTTY TODDY, BUT TO EACH HIS OWN

In 1960, the Baylor yell leaders – what Ole Miss calls cheerleaders – began the cheer, “Sic ‘em Bears.” They also introduced holding up their hands and bending their fingers into what resembled a bear claw.

The concept did not immediately catch on, but when Grant Teaff took over the head coaching job in Waco, he decided he liked it and the students and fans followed his lead.

These days, fans hold up the claw during games and during the singing of the school song. While the fans hold up the claw during the song, the football players hold up their helmets.

(Feature image credit: Derick Hingle)