Question of the Week: What is your bold prediction for Texas' 2016 season?

Horns247 also asked this question before last season. Publisher Bobby Burton said that Shawn Watson would be fired or relieved of play-calling duties by midseason. He was right. Watson was stripped of play-calling duties after Texas' 38-3 season opening loss to Notre Dame. Wide receivers coach Jay Norvell took over the responsibilities for the rest of the season. Neither coach, however, is still with the program.

Lead Recruiting Reporter EJ Holland was also correct in his prediction. He said Tyrone Swoopes would be replaced under center by Jerrod Heard by Halloween. And Heard did indeed take over the quarterback position after Texas' game against Notre Dame last season. Swoopes did, however, see a good amount of snaps for the rest of the year.

Bobby Burton, Publisher

There's little doubt in my mind that Texas will lose Shane Buechele for some period of time this season. It may be 2 or 3 games, it may be just a half of a single game or half of an entire season. Given that, my bold prediction is that a back-up QB will lead Texas to two wins as the team's starter. That back-up QB is Matthew Merrick and he'll do so after Buechele is injured and Tyrone Swoopes is either injured or rendered largely ineffective yet again.

Jeff Howe, Senior Writer

My bold prediction for the 2016 season is simple: Texas will beat Oklahoma for the second year in a row and the third time in four years. Conventional wisdom says the Sooners will not take the Longhorns lightly following last year's 24-17 loss. However the same thing could've been said following a stunning Texas victory in 2013 and following a 2014 game where Texas outplayed Oklahoma in every way possible except on the scoreboard. Charlie Strong knows how to coach in this game. It's not all that different from some 15 years ago when Bob Stoops had his team walk into the Cotton Bowl every October as the hungrier club that was going to punch the opponent in the mouth first and ask questions later. This game resembles more of an SEC game compared to what you would see week in and week out in the Big 12. Seeing as how Strong has spent most of his career as an assistant in the SEC, and having coached in a similar rivalry (The Florida-Georgia game), the approach needed to win this game is right in his wheelhouse. Texas isn't scared of Oklahoma and in a rivalry where sustained periods of success have dominated throughout its history, you have to wonder if the Sooners will enter Dallas feeling a little uptight. Texas won't be favored, and in fact could be a heavy underdog, which means the Longhorns can once again play this game like they have nothing to lose.

EJ Holland, Lead Recruiting Reporter

Chris Warren will rush for more than 1,500 yards this season. Warren showed flashes of potential late last season and had a monster game against Texas Tech. Sterlin Gilbert's offense will create plenty of opportunities for Warren to gain large chunks of yardage and be one of the best ball carriers in the conference. A big back with great speed, Warren is the complete package and will be fun to watch this season.

Garrett Callahan, Managing Editor

My "bold" prediction is that Jerrod Heard will earn All-Big 12 Honors at wide receiver. This might sound ridiculous since the sophomore just moved to wide receiver during preseason practices, but I think he has the ability to put up big numbers at the position. Last year, we saw Heard's explosiveness and athleticism at numerous occasions with the game against California being the best example. He posted 527 total yards that game and came out looking like Texas' savior at quarterback. But this season, especially with Sterlin Gilbert's new offense, I think he has the size, speed and knowledge to standout in his new position. Heard is well versed in what a quarterback will look for in the veer-and-shoot offense, which should greatly help his transition. He's also shown during preseason practices that he has the ability to make the tough catches, according to his teammates. Texas' offense will be competitive this year and I expect Heard to be a big part of it, just not at quarterback.

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