The gameplan for Baylor’s offense in year two under Matt Rhule is relatively simple. Keep doing the stuff it was good at and get a whole lot better at what it didn’t do well.

The former would be throwing the ball down the field and producing explosive plays with receivers like Chris Platt, Denzel Mims and newcomer Jalen Hurd, a 6-4, 230-pound body who spent three seasons as Tennessee’s starting running back before transferring to Baylor.

Mims was last year’s breakout star, but Platt caught five touchdowns and was averaging more than 100 yards a game before a knee injury ended his season prematurely.

Big plays weren’t a problem for the Bears’ offense. But the toughest yards were often too much for a young, undersized offensive line without a true lead back. The wish list for 2018 starts and ends with a more physical running game.

“If we can run the football and be explosive,” Rhule said, “that’s really where we should be.”

Four of last year’s five starters return and transfer Jake Fruhmorgen should take over at tackle, where he started for Clemson’s national title squad in 2016. Hastily converted tight ends like Sam Tecklenburg and underclassmen have had a year to bulk up, giving the Bears a quintet of players who can all top 300 pounds.

“We’ve got to find a way to run the football and protect the quarterback,” Rhule said.

JaMycal Hasty stood out in a crowded backfield this spring, but sophomores John Lovett and Trestan Ebner offer more depth in the backfield. And at quarterback, Charlie Brewer looks the part of a budding star. He completed just under 70 percent of his passes as a true freshman after taking over the job from Zach Smith for the season’s final five games, including a trio of 300-yard games, including one against the league’s top-ranked defense, TCU.

“All of us have a year in the system. We’ve got an experienced O-line, and everybody coming back in Year 2 of playing together,” Hasty said. “I think it’ll be good.”