Part I: Season at a glance

Running back Johnathan Gray (left) and quarterback Tyrone Swoopes (right) will be an integral part of the Longhorns' offense. (Photo by Louis DeLuca/The Dallas Morning News).

Three key storylines

2015 Texas schedule Sept. 5 at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12 vs. Rice, 7 p.m. Sept. 19 vs. Cal, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26 vs. Oklahoma State,* TBA Oct. 3 at TCU,* TBA Oct. 10 vs. Oklahoma,*# TBA Oct. 24 vs. Kansas State,* TBA Oct. 31 at Iowa State,* TBA Nov. 7 vs. Kansas,* TBA Nov. 14 at West Virginia,* TBA Nov. 26 vs. Texas Tech,* 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Baylor,* TBA *Denotes conference game. #Game played at the Cotton Bowl.

1 Which quarterback leads the team? Although junior quarterback Tyrone Swoopes started 12 games last season, he and redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard entered camp in a battle for the starting job. Texas is moving to an up-tempo spread offense which will be tailored to quarterbacks’ strengths. Swoopes provides a strong arm and functional mobility. Heard is a speedy quarterback who has the ability to lead the team with his legs. Strong says both quarterbacks will have their chance to play this season. But the Longhorns are looking for a quarterback to emerge and lead the team to an improved record in 2015.

2 Will the defense drop off? Statistically the Longhorns had a good year defensively in 2014. They led the conference in passing defense, ranked second in total defense and third in scoring defense. But Texas lost key players – defensive tackle Malcom Brown, defensive end Cedric Reed, linebackers Jordan Hicks and Steve Edmond, cornerback Quandre Diggs and safety Mykkele Thompson. The Longhorns have brought in an athletic group of defensive freshmen who will see playing time in 2015. Defensive Coordinator Vance Bedford said there’s been a drop-off in the defense. But will the defensive production see a major drop-off in 2015?

3 Will the Longhorns find playmakers? While Texas is looking for a quarterback, Strong and the offensive staff are looking for playmakers to emerge. “Everyone else around (the quarterbacks) needs to play well also,” Strong said at Big 12 media days. “We need to find playmakers at wide receiver. We need the running backs.” The Longhorns have a slew of talent at wide receiver and running back. It’s a matter of which players will step up and help the team. Texas needs to find playmakers to help their quarterbacks and offense succeed in 2015.

TEXAS FACT BOOK Head coach: Charlie Strong (6-7 record in one season at Texas, 43-23 in five seasons overall) 2014 record: 6-7 (5-4 in Big 12) Bowl result: Lost to Arkansas, 31-7, in Texas Bowl 2014 offense: 337.3 yards per game (199.9 ypg passing, 137.4 ypg rushing) | 21.4 ppg 2014 defense 348.5 yards per game (184.2 ypg passing, 164.3 ypg rushing) | 23.8 ppg Starters returning (off./def.): 6/5 AP preseason poll: No. 38 Big 12 preseason media poll: 5th Preseason polls (AP/Coaches): NA/38th Preseason All-Big 12 selections: CB Duke Thomas

Five bold Texas predictions

1 Texas wins nine games in 2015. After a 6-7 season in 2014, nine wins this year would be a big jump for the Longhorns. Although double-digit wins is considered the standard at Texas, nine wins in 2015 would show progress after Strong’s first year in Austin. Getting to nine wins will be tough as the Longhorns will face Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, TCU and Oklahoma during the first six games of the season. Texas will also be a young team in 2015. But if it can overcome its frontloaded schedule and youthfulness, the Longhorns will win nine games this season.

2 Texas will beat a top-10 opponent. The Longhorns will likely play two top-10 teams this year and one will fall victim to them. TCU and Baylor will both be in the top-10 this season as the Horned Frogs and Bears fight for playoff contention in 2015 after being snubbed last year. Texas plays both teams on the road. Beating either team on the road won’t be an easy task but Strong the Longhorns will earn a signature win in 2015 against a top-10 opponent.

3 Johnathan Gray rushes for over 1,000 yards. Gray, a senior, will be the first running back to run for 1,000 yards for Texas since Jamaal Charles in 2007. Gray has spent most of his career playing behind other backs, but this year he’ll be the featured runner. With a much improved offensive line, Gray will be able to break off solid runs this season. After coming back from an Achilles injury in 2014, Gray is back to full health and is poised to have a big senior season.

4 Tyrone Swoopes emerges as Texas’ quarterback. Nobody is giving Swoopes a chance this season after a struggling end to the 2014 season. The junior threw four interceptions against TCU last year and only managed to throw for 57 yards in the Texas Bowl while rushing for -32 yards to end the season. Entering fall camp, Swoopes was to battle for the starting job with redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard but so far Swoopes has performed better in fall camp. After a rough 2014 season, Swoopes will bounce back and emerge as the Longhorns’ quarterback.

5 Texas’ defense leads the Big 12. Texas’ defense will take a big leap in 2015 and lead the Big 12. The Longhorns have lost six players but they brought in a fiery group of freshmen that are ready to step into key roles this season. Texas defensive line will pressure its opponents’ quarterbacks which will help its secondary. Led by senior cornerback Duke Thomas and junior safety Dylan Haines, the secondary will find a way to increase their takeaway production in 2015. Despite losing players and youthfulness, the Longhorns will shock the Big 12 and lead the conference in defense.