Bevo’s Daily Roundup: Texas governor predicts college football will start on time

Football is expected to start on time in Texas, with at least some fans in the stands – for the Texas Longhorns, the Texas A&M Aggies, the SMU Mustangs, and every other program across the Lone Star State – according to recent remarks by Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday.

“If you want a prediction, my prediction is yes, we are gonna have college football beginning as scheduled ... with at least some level of fans in stands,” Abbott told KXAN.

How, exactly, will the season look as health officials fear a second coronavirus wave?

That part is unclear, Abbott admitted.

WHAT THE WISE MEN ARE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS

Austin American-Statesman: ‘The Sheriff’ gets his degree: At 52, Stanley Richard is now officially a Texas graduate

Austin American-Statesman: Bohls: Football now has a return date, but is it too soon, too risky?

Austin American-Statesman: The Dotted Line: Southlake Carroll quarterback Quinn Ewers top-ranked on our Next 25

Austin American-Statesman: The Dotted Line: Scouting the Next 25, starting with Nos. 25-21

Dallas Morning News: Now that the Big 12 is allowing athletes to return to campus, here’s what’s next for conference ADs to discuss

Dallas Morning News: While coronavirus has impacted college football, here’s the advantage bowl game operators have over schools, conferences

Sports Illustrated: Former Longhorn has bright future with New Orleans Pelicans

247Sports: Texas Morning Brew: Excitement about Alfred Collins

247Sports: Ten former recruiting sleepers who can help Texas win in 2020

247Sports: The State of Recruiting: Featuring Hutto DC Adam Harvey

247Sports: Sacks not all Texas wants out of change in D-line philosophy

247Sports: Texas looking for patience to pay off in ongoing O-line build

247Sports: Sam Ehlinger’s ‘leadership style has been phenomenal’ for Texas

ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION

3-star TE Landen King decommits from Texas

The Longhorn Republic reviews Lance Armstrong 30 for 30

Texas offers DFW 3-star WR JJ Henry

4-star OC James Brockermeyer narrows top schools to four

Texas offers 3-star DT Ikechukwu Iwunnah

Big 12 approves plan for student-athletes to return to campus

Derek Kerstetter is the nation’s top returning pass blocker at RT

WHAT WE’RE READING

SBNation: With a 24 team NHL playoff, the rest should play for draft picks

The Ringer: Why the NBA could (and should) look more like the World Cup

ESPN: Early NFL season projections: Takeaways and playoff chances for all 32 teams

NEWS ACROSS THE LONGHORN REPUBLIC AND BEYOND

• Texas basketball stars Charli Collier and Andrew Jones are among this year’s nominees for the Big 12’s Sportsperson of the Year awards, the conference announced earlier today.

• Athlon Sports has the Longhorns ranked No. 16 ahead of the 2020 football season. From Athlon Sports: “ ... Herman hit the reset button on his staff, bringing in two new coordinators and five other assistant coaches. Injuries and youth played a role in last season’s record, and with better luck in health and player development, a return to the Big 12 Championship Game isn’t out of the question. Quarterback Sam Ehlinger returns for his senior year after back-to-back standout seasons. Ehlinger won’t have Devin Duvernay or Collin Johnson back on the outside, but the Longhorns have talented playmakers waiting in the wings like Michigan transfer Tarik Black, Brennan Eagles and Jake Smith. Left tackle Sam Cosmi anchors an offensive line with three starters back, while Keaontay Ingram headlines a talented backfield. Improvement on defense is a must for Texas in 2020. New coordinator Chris Ash plans to utilize more 4-3 looks, and talent won’t be an issue thanks to the return of linebacker Joseph Ossai (13.5 TFL), safety Caden Sterns, cornerback D’Shawn Jamison, and linemen Keondre Coburn and Ta’quon Graham. Last year’s group allowed 6.3 yards a snap in Big 12 games and finished 90th nationally in pass efficiency defense. Modest improvement in both totals, along with more pass rush and better play against the run are needed.”

• It’s still unlikely Texas legend Kevin Durant returns to the court this season, Sports Illustrated reports. “... Kevin and I have not talked about that [returning this season],” Durant’s agent Rich Kleiman told SI in a statement. “And I know it sounds crazy, but my assumption has been that it wasn’t very realistic. I know when the time will be right to have that conversation but it just hasn’t been that time and it just doesn’t feel like it’s needed.”