For some reason, at least on local radio, the prediction de jure is Texas' ceiling for 2015 is 8-4. I think part of that is local sports writers/analysts not wanting to come off as cheerleaders, and part of it is that it's a safe "managing expectations" kind of prediction. Undersell and over perform, as they say. But really, all this is is predicting that Texas will lose to all ranked opponents.
My reasoning for thinking this is not in fact the ceiling: QBs. That's the whole reason Texas is expected to struggle, right? So let's take a look at notable QBs we'll be facing. Trevon Boykin and...and...well? I guess we can assume Baylor's plug and play QB will be good. OU will have a kid who hasn't played in almost two years and looked bad in the spring game. ND will have a QB who has won a single significant game; ask Sooners how much confidence you should have in a kid for winning a bowl game. Where do we go from here? WVU is starting a new guy. Cal will starting a new guy. KSU plans to start a kid who has never started a game as a QB, at any level. OSU will start a kid coming off of injury. Techs QB took a beating from the Texas D last year. Are any of the rest even worth mentioning. There isn't a whole lot to be afraid of on this schedule. My expectations are higher. And if Texas doesn't at least have a winning record I bet they have a new OC in 2016
My reasoning for thinking this is not in fact the ceiling: QBs. That's the whole reason Texas is expected to struggle, right? So let's take a look at notable QBs we'll be facing. Trevon Boykin and...and...well? I guess we can assume Baylor's plug and play QB will be good. OU will have a kid who hasn't played in almost two years and looked bad in the spring game. ND will have a QB who has won a single significant game; ask Sooners how much confidence you should have in a kid for winning a bowl game. Where do we go from here? WVU is starting a new guy. Cal will starting a new guy. KSU plans to start a kid who has never started a game as a QB, at any level. OSU will start a kid coming off of injury. Techs QB took a beating from the Texas D last year. Are any of the rest even worth mentioning. There isn't a whole lot to be afraid of on this schedule. My expectations are higher. And if Texas doesn't at least have a winning record I bet they have a new OC in 2016