Texas saw a sneak preview of its offensive future Thursday.

Neither the setting nor the result was exactly the way the Longhorns envisioned.

In a perfect world, Garrett Gilbert would have gone through spring practice and two-a-days before facing Rice to open next season. In a flawed but tantalizing debut, Texas saw the qualities that made Gilbert a top pro-style quarterback prospect last season at Lake Travis High School.

Gilbert's numbers in the Citi BCS National Championship Game were anything but imposing – 15-of-40 passing with four interceptions in relief of injured Colt McCoy. Gilbert did bring Texas back from the brink of a halftime blowout to within three points of Alabama with less than four minutes to play.

He learned probably even more than he realized as he talked at the Rose Bowl after a 37-21 Alabama victory.

"It's very humbling," Gilbert said. "It was a tough night. It's something you'll remember and something I'll be able to build upon."

The conventional wisdom holds that Gilbert will be Texas' quarterback of the future, as represented by the next three seasons.

At 6-4, he's taller than McCoy and also has a stronger arm. At times, Gilbert's receivers seemed overmatched by his velocity.

He grew up around the game as the son of former quarterback Gale Gilbert, who was a member of five consecutive Super Bowl teams with the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers.

"We think he has a chance to be a special player," Texas coach Mack Brown said.

The obvious question surfaced after the game: Did Gilbert get enough reps to be ready? Gilbert said he got enough work during the season.

But the backup quarterback situation comes with inherent problems for any BCS contender. Like it or not, under the current system, style points matter. Backup quarterbacks usually don't play until victory is long assured.

Even in those situations, the type of experience can be limited. Gilbert completed 15 of 26 passes in nine regular-season games this season. Brown has admitted taking his foot off the offensive accelerator to avoid embarrassing overmatched opponents. The most pass attempts for Gilbert in a game was six against UTEP.

Would a series against Oklahoma or Nebraska, with a season at stake, have been worth the risk for a hypothetical situation?

The next time, Gilbert will be prepared.

Chad Morris, his coach on a state championship team at Lake Travis, has no doubt.

At halftime, after Gilbert had completed one of 10 passes for minus-4 yards, Morris sent his former player a text, knowing he wouldn't read it until later. The Lake Travis community was behind him, Morris wrote, adding: "You'll be back on this stage again."

Morris elaborated Friday.

"You look at Garrett, he's a kid that when he steps on the field for spring practice or when he steps on field for the first game next season, it will never compare to the last game," Morris said. "He's going to flourish and take off."

McCoy also left Gilbert with in-game advice, completing the handoff he took from Vince Young at the Rose Bowl.

"Colt was telling me to keep believing, keep trusting in myself and to be myself," Gilbert said.

GARRETT GILBERT

School: Texas

Position: Quarterback

Class: Freshman

Height, Weight: 6-4, 207

At Texas this season: Completed 30 of 66 passes, counting the BCS title game, for 310 yards. ... Had two touchdown passes and four interceptions.

At Lake Travis High School: Was named the Parade and Gatorade national player of the year as a senior in 2008. ... As a three-year starter, he broke Graham Harrell's state passing yardage record, finishing with 12,540 yards. ... Also ranks second in state history in touchdown passes (138). ... Completed 65.4 percent of his career attempts.

Family connection: His father, Gale, played at California and spent eight seasons in the NFL.

Five questions facing Texas for 2010

With Garrett Gilbert expected to replace Colt McCoy at quarterback, staff writer Chuck Carlton looks at five other questions facing Texas for next season:

1. Who will replace Earl Thomas?
Thomas blossomed as a redshirt sophomore in Will Muschamp's system, but he announced Friday that he will enter the NFL draft. The ball-hawking safety finished the season with eight interceptions and gained All-America honors. With his exit, Texas' secondary goes from the nation's best to simply very good.

2. Who will provide leadership?
Texas easily could have suffered a blowout against Alabama once Colt McCoy was hurt. Seniors such as Jordan Shipley (10 catches), Sergio Kindle (21/2 sacks) and Lamarr Houston gave the Longhorns a fighting chance. The current group of sophomores and juniors must emerge. "Next year's bunch has a lot to live up to," coach Mack Brown said. Players such as Sam and Emmanuel Acho and Keenan Robinson will probably factor into that situation.

3. How does the offensive line rebuild?
Even though the unit underwent much scrutiny late in the season, the O-line helped Texas to 25 wins the last two seasons, and for the most part did a good job. Seniors Adam Ulatoski, Chris Hall and Charlie Tanner leave, taking 111 starts with them. Starters Kyle Hix and Michael Huey return, as does part-timer David Snow, who will probably take over at center. Tray Allen, the one-time South Grand Prairie standout, may emerge. So could Mason Walters.

4. Who becomes the go-to receiver?
Shipley's departure leaves Texas looking for his replacement as a playmaker. Malcolm Williams has the talent but has been inconsistent and didn't make a great impression in the title game. Neither did James Kirkendoll. Marquise Goodwin and John Chiles have also been up and down. With the dismissal of Brandon Collins, top recruits Darius White (Fort Worth Dunbar) and Mike Davis (Skyline) could play immediately.

5. Hunting for Hunter's replacement?
Texas doesn't get to the national title game without Hunter Lawrence's clutch kicking. He and backup Ryan Bailey both graduate. Sophomore Justin Tucker, the team's rugby-style punter, is next on the depth chart. He made 30 of 44 field goal attempts at Austin Westlake High School.