Texas Tech vs. Texas: 5 Bold Predictions for Texas QB David Ash's Future

With freshman David Ash assuming most of the starting quarterback duties for the Texas Longhorns, it's hard not to imagine a bright future for the young Texas native.

Anytime a player makes it onto the field for a major college football power in his true freshman season, you know the kid is something special. Ash has looked erratic at times this season (as one would expect a rookie quarterback to), but he has improved from game to game, and he's gaining valuable experience from each snap.

I believe Ash will be the next great Texas quarterback. Here are five bold predictions for his future with the Longhorns.

Ash Will Secure the Starting QB Spot for Next Year

The quarterback carousel for the Texas Longhorns has been spinning all season, but it appears as if the picture is finally starting to clear itself up.

Mack Brown is not ready to declare anyone the starting quarterback yet, but David Ash has started to assume most of the duties at the position. Sophomore Case McCoy was getting the majority of the snaps in September (once Garrett Gilbert was benched).

Around the time of the Red River Rivalry, McCoy and Ash were getting about equal playing time. Now, Ash is getting the vast majority of the snaps. McCoy has only attempted two passes in the Longhorns' last two games.

It seems as if the coaches are starting to favor Ash. Since he's only a freshman, Ash has not had much time to get acclimated to the college game. He will play better down the stretch and secure the starting spot for the 2012 season.

Longhorns Will Win 4 of 5 Down Final Stretch

The Texas Longhorns have a tough five-game stretch to close the 2011 regular season. The Longhorns have to play five Big 12 opponents, four of which have winning records (with the Missouri Tigers sitting at 4-4).

Only two of those games, against the Texas Tech Raiders and No. 14 Kansas State Wildcats, come at home, with the Longhorns having to leave Austin to face Missouri, the Baylor Bears and the rival Texas A&M Aggies (for perhaps the last time).

However, the Longhorns have been playing better since taking that beating from the Oklahoma Sooners. They played the Oklahoma State Cowboys (who are by far the best team in the Big 12) to a close 38-26 loss, and they clobbered the Kansas Jayhawks last week. Texas is 5-2, and Ash will lead them to a 9-3 finish.

Longhorns Will Win Big 12 Next Season

I'm sure Texas Longhorns fans are a little antsy at this point. After winning at least 10 games for nine straight seasons, Texas of course went 5-7 last season, and they were beaten pretty thoroughly by their pan-handle neighbors last month.

But the future is bright for the Texas program. With Landry Jones (we assume) and Ryan Broyles leaving Oklahoma for the NFL, the Sooners will be rebuilding next season. The Oklahoma State Cowboys will lose Justin Blackmon, who will be nearly impossible to replace without a hitch. And of course quarterback Brandon Weeden will be moving on as well.

Texas will be the front-runner to win the Big 12 next season. The Longhorns are very, very young this season. Moreover, Mack Brown has continued to turn in top five recruiting classes each season, and this year's bunch has a chance to be the top class in the nation. The Longhorns will be uber-talented, and they will run through the Big 12.

Ash Will Return Texas to BCS Championship Game

With certain teams, it's only a matter of time before they get back to the title game. LSU, Alabama, USC, Oklahoma...and Texas. The Longhorns have played in two BCS championship games in the last six years, and before his time in Austin is done, David Ash will lead them to another one.

With the way the Longhorns recruit, there is always abundant talent for Mack Brown to utilize. Once Ash secures the starting job, he will have plenty of time to grow and develop over the next few seasons. And as we've seen with a number of quarterbacks who start from the time they're freshman (Colt McCoy, Tyrod Taylor, Kellen Moore), the final product is usually pretty good.

The Longhorns have a number of good, young skill players. The defense is already pretty good, and they have a number of good recruits coming in on both sides of the ball. With long-term security at quarterback, the Longhorns could be poised for a long, successful run.

David Ash Will Make the NFL

OK, so this one's a long way off. But from an NFL standpoint, what's there not to like? David Ash already has NFL size at 6'3", 215 pounds, and he's only a freshman.

He's got a strong, live arm. He's certainly inconsistent at this point (five interceptions to just three touchdowns this season), but Ryan Mallett was no better early in his career. The fact that he's getting this playing time as a freshman at a program like Texas means he's got some serious skills.

There's no way of knowing where he'll be in four years, but I expect to see him on an NFL roster in the future.