Protect the palace: Petty, No. 10 Baylor look for winning start vs. SMU in new stadium

FILE - In this July 2, 2014, file photo, people stroll along the river walk across from the new McClane Stadium at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. The $260 million stadium located near campus on the Brazos river debuts at the end of the month and replaces the 64-year-old Floyd Casey Stadium. (AP Photo/Waco Tribune Herald, Jerry Larson, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Aug. 18, 2014 file photo, media and visitors tour the nearly completed McLane Stadium during a tour at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. The $260 million stadium located near campus on the Brazos river debuts at the end of the month and replaces the 64-year-old Floyd Casey Stadium. (AP Photo/Waco Tribune Herald, Rod Aydelotte, File) (The Associated Press)

WACO, Texas – There will be plenty of pomp and circumstance surrounding Baylor's new riverfront stadium.

For coach Art Briles and the 10th-ranked Bears, the focus Sunday night is trying to debut with a win over SMU.

Quarterback Bryce Petty says McLane Stadium is a "great privilege." He calls it a palace and says the Big 12 champion Bears have to put a team on the field that's just as great as the place they're playing.

Baylor won a school-record 11 games last season, and plays its first game on the Waco campus since 1935.

SMU was 5-7 last season and missed out on a bowl game for the first time in five years.

Baylor has won the last 10 games in the series between former Southwest Conference rivals.