With only days to go until college football returns, we're making 10 completely insane predictions – that might come true. Don't hold us to these predictions too hard, though. They're meant to be out there. We only got two right last year! 

Alan Bowman leads Texas in passing

Remember Bowman? The Grapevine product posted an astonishingly successful true freshman season, but missed his sophomore year with injuries. Now however, he’s in a perfect position to rebound. Texas Tech’s offensive line and receiver talent ranks among the best in the state, and Bowman surely benefitted from working with David Yost for a full year in preparation. His numbers will be off the charts. 

SFA beats an FBS team

After the Southland Conference cancelled football, SFA quickly scheduled a five-game schedule, featuring games against UTEP, UTSA and SMU. The Mustangs are simply too good, but games against the Miners and Roadrunners are manageable. SFA won two of three to end 2019; that momentum will carry forward into 2020.

SMU flirts with 10 wins again

The schedule is arguably even more difficult for SMU in 2020 than 2019, and the Mustangs lost key contributors like James Proche, Xavier Jones and Rodney Clemons. Still, I think SMU has a chance to be just as good as last year. Quarterback Shane Buechele graces the DCTF cover for a reason, and the new young recruits are growing up. This could be the start of something big. 

Baylor’s offense is the state’s most improved unit

The Bears ran an effective offense under Matt Rhule, but not one that would be confused as explosive. With Larry Fedora taking over the unit in 2020, that can change quickly. Charlie Brewer became one of the great quarterbacks in Texas high school football while playing in a similar spread offense at Lake Travis. With the playmakers Baylor has on its roster, the Bears could instantly become one of the state’s best offenses. 

A freshman leads Texas A&M in receiving

Jhamon Ausbon is a proven commodity at Texas A&M, but the rest of the receiving corps is a slight unknown. Luckily, the number of elite freshman receiver prospects are off the charts. Any of Demond Demas, Moose Muhammad, Dylan Wright or Kam Brown could step into a big role. Even freshman tight ends Baylor Cupp and Blake Smith could jump into the leader mix. Ausbon will be right there, but otherwise, the sky's the limit for the new crop. 

Joseph Ossai becomes a first round pick

Texas hasn’t produced a first round NFL draft pick since Malcom Brown, who was a Mack Brown recruit. However, Joseph Ossai is poised to snap the five-year streak. Ossai moved to edge rusher for the bowl game and exploded for six tackles for loss and three sacks in a breakout performance. Now in that JACK role full time, Ossai’s talents will be on full display. 

TCU leads the state in rushing

With starting QB Max Duggan out indefinitely, the Horned Frogs have very little to count on under center. However, between a running back room of Darwin Barlow, Daimarqua Foster and Zach Evans – a Texas high school football dream team! – and dual-threat quarterback Stephon Brown, the Horned Frogs will fight hard in the run game. If Sonny Cumbie is creative, he will build entire game plans around read options and RPOs to keep defenses on their feet. 

Brady McBride competes for All-Sun Belt

It was obvious in Jake Spavital’s first season that he was not happy with the quarterback situation. However, McBride transferred to San Marcos from Memphis and spent a year prepping. On Monday, he officially earned the starting job. McBride was a productive, accurate passer at Coppell. After tutelage from both Mike Norvell and Spavital, McBride can meet the huge expectations. 

Marquez Stevenson is the state’s top receiver

Things have been so rocky at Houston the last two seasons that it’s easy to forget that Stevenson is a beast. He caught 127 passes for 1,926 yards and 18 touchdowns over the past two years to pace the state. With another year of experience, Stevenson can step up and compete with the best of the best nationally. 

Texas teams play a full schedule

Do I believe this will happen? I don’t know. But with the state of the world right now, nothing would be more exciting than being able to have a safe, complete college football season. Every FBS conference in Texas has plans to play right now. To this point, football teams have kept the virus relatively under control through protocols. 

Colleges have a lot of work to do to keep players and students safe on campuses, but what choice do we have but to be hopeful?