Editor's Note: This is the third story of a 12-part series previewing Texas' 2015 season schedule. The season is still months away, but it's never too early to start talking football.

Texas at California

When: Saturday, Sept. 17

Where: California Memorial Stadium

2015 Records: Texas (5-7); Cal (8-5)

Last Meeting: Cal 45, Texas 44 on Sept. 19, 2015

Series Record: Texas leads the all-time series 5-1

Returning Starters: Cal (10); Texas (14)

Bobby Burton, Publisher

I chalked this up as a likely win during spring practice. But a curious thing happened just two weeks ago -- Texas Tech back-up quarterback Davis Webb chose to transfer to California. His addition gives Golden Bears head coach Sonny Dykes just what he needs to keep his offense moving. Cal, however, is still lacking on defense. The Bears will score points, but I think the Longhorns should be ready to compete and win.

Texas 29, Cal 27 | Texas’ 2016 Record, 2-1

Jeff Howe, Senior Writer

The additions of Demetris Robertson and Davis Webb to the Cal offense have changed the way I view this game. The Golden Bears were an inferior team to Texas, in my eyes, prior to those additions. But the ability of Sonny Dykes to add a quarterback who is tailor-made for his offense and one of the top true freshman wide receivers in the country makes this game more interesting. The other thing that gives me pause is that up until the Baylor game last year Texas was a deplorable team on the road. With this being the first road game for what is still a young football team, this game could mirror last year's contest in many ways. Cal will get yards, Cal get points, but can the Texas defense get those one or two stops they will need to win? That didn't happen last year in these type of games, but with as much growth as I saw toward the end of last season and into spring practice, I'm going to give Vance Bedford's unit the benefit of the doubt. I'm still of the mindset that 2016 will be the year that sets up Texas for a true rebound into the upper tier of the Big 12 in 2017, and winning this game will go a long way toward allowing that scenario to come to fruition. The saving grace for Texas is that the Cal defense was awful last year, and I'm not sure it will be all that much better this time around. If the Golden Bears are not significantly better than what they looked like getting shredded by Jerrod Heard last season, then Shane Buechele should have a field day. I see this one going Texas way.

Texas 45, Cal 38 | Texas’ 2016 Record, 2-1

Chris Hummer, Managing Editor

This is the swing game on Texas’ 2016 schedule. Win, and the Longhorns are feeling pretty good about themselves heading into Big 12 play. Lose, and they’re 1-2 entering the most difficult portion of the schedule. At that point, 1-4 to start the season for the second straight year becomes a distinct possibility. Personally, I still don’t have a ton of belief in this Texas group on the road. Texas went 1-4 in road games last season with its only win coming against a Baylor team using a wide receiver at quarterback for the majority of the game. That said, they’ll have every opportunity to earn this victory. Cal returns just 10 starters from its solid team last season, and its moving into the post-Jared Goff era. There’s no easy way to replace a No. 1 overall pick, especially when there are only four offensive starters returning to surround him. That said, Davis Webb is Cal’s new signal caller, and the former Texas Tech gun slinger is an ideal fit for the Air Raid system Sonny Dykes employs. If the Cal offense can come together under new leadership, this game will be a shootout. But, with better overall defensive talent, I think the Longhorns find a way to win this game. Texas outscores Cal to earn an important road victory.

Texas 45, Cal 35 | Texas’ 2016 Record, 2-1