Texas vs. Maryland: 3 bold predictions for Week 1 matchup

1. Shane Buechele won’t turn the ball over

Quarterback Shane Buechele was thrown into the proverbial fire in last year’s season opener against the Fighting Irish. The team prevailed 50-47 in overtime in the end, but Buechele and the rest of the Longhorns’ inexperience showed throughout the game.

Buechele did go 16-for-26 (61.5 percent) through the air for 280 passing yards and two passing touchdowns but he also had an interception in the game. He also ran for

The following week against UTEP, Buechele went 22-of-27 for 244 passing yards and four passing touchdowns without any turnovers.

It was one of just three games in 2016 that Buechele went without an interception. He threw a season-high three interceptions against the Kansas Jayhawks in their embarrassing overtime loss last season. Lessons aside, his inexperience shouldn’t show in this game.

Instead, his star power should show why this Longhorns team should be ranked higher than it is. Tom Herman has a ton of talent to work with in 2017 and it bodes well for Texas Longhorns football program as they look for their footing back among the top teams in college football.

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Buechele has the potential weapons in wide receivers Armanti Foreman, Jerrod Heard, Collin Johnson and Devin Duvernay. In the backfield, Chris Warren III will pick up where D’Vonta Foreman left off last season.

It’s up to Herman’s offense to work it’s magic as it has in years past. His Cougars offense ranked 26th in the FBS in scoring offense (35.8 ppg).