Seth Russell's injury won't affect Baylor's Playoff standing — for now

Baylor has been among the most impressive teams in college football during the first half of the season. The Bears are ranked No. 2 in the Amway Coaches and Associated Press polls. But the loss of junior quarterback Seth Russell for the season after a broken bone in his neck raises questions about the future.

But Jeff Long, chairman of the College Football Playoff selection committee, said Monday that at least in the committee’s initial rankings, Baylor would be judged by its accomplishments rather than projections of what might lie ahead.

The selection committee is scheduled to release its first set of rankings Nov. 3. Baylor does not play this weekend; its first game with true freshman Jarrett Stidham expected to start is Thursday, Nov. 5, at Kansas State.