Rather than stew about the losses this year, I’d like to look forward. There will be changes, clearly. An optimist may hope that with a few positive off-season events, next season we will see progress on the field.

Here are seven thoughts:

1. I assume we’ll say goodbye to Shawn Watson, and hire a new OC/QB coach with true spread offense chops. We spent last off-season installing an offense that didn’t work. If Charlie can figure out what he wants in an offense, and hires someone with a demonstrated record of success in scheming and implementing said offense, it’s a very different team in 2016. While I think Jay Norvell has done some good work this season, the Iowa State game alone was ample evidence that he isn’t the best available OC. Watson is the highest paid offensive coordinator in the Big 12, at $650k annually. Steve Patterson, incidentally, was the highest paid AD in the Big 12.

2. I assume that Jay Norvell sticks around. Jay’s done good things with our WR’s (though the drops and inconsistent blocking from some raises eyebrows), and with a greater focus on that group they’ll be better in 2016. He’s paid $355k per year, so he can put on his big boy pants and get over play-calling.

3. I think Wickline’s an excellent coach, but our O-Line depth has been miserable the past two seasons. In 2016, we’re likely looking at a still young legit two-deep. He doesn’t appear to like recruiting, and there’s not much to say about the 2014 OL recruits yet, but I really like the 2015 signees and the tape on 2016 commits. I’d like to see what the 2016 line play and rotations look like before we lose Wickline. A good OC and a head coach who lets you pick your people help an OL coach immeasurably; not being in a petty but expensive lawsuit helps even more. A strong OL makes everything better.

4. I don’t follow recruiting closely, but I haven’t seen much mention of Brick Haley or Tommie Robinson, and have been underwhelmed with their impact on the field, so I won’t be surprised if both are told to find new jobs or light a fire on the recruiting trail.

5. What do Matthew Merrick, Michael Dickson, Kris Boyd, John Burt, DaVonte Davis, DeShon Elliott, Breckyn Hager, Holton Hill, Tristian Houston, Kirk Johnson, PJ Locke, Kai Locksley, Buck Major, Deandre McNeal, Ryan Newsome, Charles Omenihu, Cameron Townsend, Patrick Vahe, Chris Warren, and Anthony Wheeler have in common? NONE of them have been through Spring practice. Even without the valuable bowl game practices, these guys should ALL benefit greatly from 10 college level training months and Spring and Fall practices before next season’s opener. The fact that 5 have started, and 15 have played decent snaps, as true summer (or later) freshmen is remarkable. Of the 6 men in the 2015 class who did go through spring practices, Malik Jefferson, Connor Williams, and Tristan Nickelson have started; Quincy Vasser has played; Garrett Thomas and Brandon Hodges are redshirting O-Linemen.

6. This year’s departing seniors will be missed, no doubt. I’m guessing Sheroid Evans and Dalton Santos return, but we’re saying goodbye to Shiro Davis, Daje Johnson, Marcus Johnson, Peter Jinkens, Duke Thomas, Nick Rose, Jonathan Gray, Alex De La Torre, Marcus Hutchins, Sedrick Flowers, Taylor Doyle, and Desmond Jackson, who have ALL been starters. But there is talent waiting in the wings to step up and take the snaps. With rare exception, the 2016 recruiting class will be relied upon to provide depth and playing time rather than starts.

7. Speaking of 2016 recruiting, I’m no talent scout, but I like the 12 we have committed. I struggle to see the need for 3 WR’s given our current roster, but have to assume the staff knows more than I do about the future. We have at least 6 more scholarships to give (assuming no attrition), and it’s reasonable to think there will be at least 4 other spots opening up. So looking only at guys not publically committed elsewhere, we could pick up, for example, RB Kyle Porter, athlete Lil’ Jordan Humphrey, OT Jean Delance, DT Jordan Elliott, DT Marcel Southall, DE Kelvin Lucky, OLB Jeffrey McCulloch, ILB Dontavious Jackson, CB Eric Cuffee, S Brandon Jones. Certainly not likely, but fun to think about what a great potential class is still out there—there are a boatload of serious football players in that 22-man class. We’d still be light in the O-line, but our depth everywhere else would look pretty solid.