SAN MARCOS — Ten days before the first game, Texas State coach Dennis Franchione is making a guarantee. If nothing else, the Bobcats are going to look good getting off the team bus this season.

“Our guys look better in their uniforms,” he said. “We’re starting to look like we belong, like an FBS team.”

Now all the Bobcats have to do is act the part.

If a high-powered offense lives up to advance billing, if coordinator John Thompson’s defense continues to develop and if the road schedule doesn’t become too burdensome, Texas State is poised to make its first bowl trip in year five as a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision.

That’s the plan, anyway.

The plan was the same a year ago, and after crushing Arkansas State (45-27) and Georgia State (54-31) to close the season, the Bobcats at 7-5 figured they had done enough to earn an FBS bowl invitation.

It didn’t come, with the bid instead going to Arkansas State, the very team Texas State had beaten by 18 points.

More Information About the Bobcats On paper, this could be the best team yet under coach Dennis Franchione, who is in his fifth season in this his second stint at Texas State. The Bobcats are hungry for a bowl invitation after feeling they were snubbed a year ago. Their potent offense and quarterback Tyler Jones will have to carry the load. Coach: Dennis Franchione, 23-25 in past four seasons at Texas State and 210-126-2 overall Returning stat leaders: QB Tyler Jones (2,670 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, 7 interceptions); RB Robert Lowe (1,091 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns); WR C.J. Best (37 receptions, 355 yards, 4 touchdowns) KEY QUESTIONS 1. How good can the offense be under Jones? It was one of the best in the Sun Belt last season, and should be even more prolific in 2015. Jones is bigger and stronger and more experienced. Lowe and fellow senior Chris Nutall provide a nice 1-2 punch at running back. The line is experienced. A go-to receiver for Jones needs to emerge. 2. How will the defense replace the likes of David Mayo and Craig Mager? It’s still being determined, but it’s probably going to be a group effort. Stephen Smith and junior college transfer Teron Fitzgerald likely will join returning starter Trey McGowan at linebacker. David Mims II heads a talented but young group on the back end. A second season in the John Thompson system should help. 3. Can the Bobcats finally get to a bowl? Yes, but it won’t be easy. They’ll almost certainly have to go undefeated at home with tough road games looming at Florida State, Houston, Louisiana-Lafayette and Arkansas State. They have to learn how to win close games. Several contests came down to the last drive a year ago. If Jones’ pass to Ben Ijah on the last play of the game at South Alabama is complete, Texas State likely would have gotten that bowl trip. KEY GAMES Oct. 10 at Louisiana-Lafayette: The Bobcats have been whipped by the Ragin’ Cajuns by a combined score of 82-34 the past two seasons. This is a measuring-stick game for Texas State. Oct. 29 at Georgia Southern: The Eagles are favored to repeat as Sun Belt champs. But Texas State almost pulled the upset last season, losing 28-25 at home. Fun with numbers: Playing their first season in a high-risk, up-tempo offense, the Bobcats committed just 12 turnovers last season. That tied for second fewest in the nation. Outlook: If the Bobcats can do well at home and steal a win or two on the road, 2015 can be a breakout campaign. Predicted finish: 8-4, 6-2 (third place in Sun Belt). After last season’s close shave, Bobcats are due for a break. A lot will have to go right, but with this offense, anything is possible. John Whisler SCHEDULE

Read More

That sparked a campaign. T-shirts and signs around campus are urging the Bobcats to “Leave No Doubt” in 2015.

Although a good place to start, it’s going to take more than motivation for the Bobcats to succeed. In the end, it’ll come down to talent and performance.

Texas State has perhaps its most talented and deepest team yet under Franchione, with eight starters returning on offense and five on defense.

As for performance, look to quarterback Tyler Jones to set the table in that department.

In his third year as the starter, the junior from Stephenville heads what should be one of the more prolific units in the Sun Belt Conference.

The Bobcats switched to a no-huddle, up-tempo offense last season, and the results were dramatic. They averaged 33.8 points and 464 yards of total offense, both significant increases from the previous year.

The Bobcats committed only 12 turnovers in 2014 while playing at the 13th-fastest pace in the nation.

Jones threw for 2,670 yards and 22 touchdowns a year ago. He is poised for a banner season.

“When he was a freshman, he knew a lot and did a lot, but he made his freshman mistakes,” Franchione said. “Last year as a sophomore he really stepped his game up and played a lot better. I expect him to take another step this year. He understands and knows what he’s doing very well.”

The Bobcats lost their top receiver in tight end Brad Miller to graduation, but wideouts Jafus Gaines, Brandon Smith and C.J. Best return.

Senior halfback Robert Lowe, who rushed for 1,091 yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago, is also back in the fold.

“We have a lot of experience coming back, people who can make plays,” Lowe said. “We have a year of running this offense under our belt. The communication should be a lot better.”

Four of five starters return on the offensive line.

Defensively, Texas State will have to replace linebacker David Mayo — the top defensive player in the conference in 2014 — and corner Craig Mager, both of whom are playing in the NFL.

David Mims, first-team All-Sun Belt last season, returns to stabilize the defense.

The schedule could be an issue. Texas State opens at Florida State, part of a daunting road lineup that includes games against Sun Belt powerhouses Louisiana-Lafayette, Arkansas State and Georgia Southern.

The Bobcats will have to thrive at home if they are to secure that elusive bowl bid.

“We need to win all six home games,” Franchione said. “I think we can do that. If we do, we’ve got a chance to put ourselves in a position to do some things.”

jwhisler@express-news.net

Twitter: @johnfwhisler