The "what if?" factor

If things progress normally, then we can project who will get the most playing time among the returning players. However, every once in a while a player takes a giant step forward between years and vaults ahead of someone ahead of him, and that is very good for a team. What if Osse beats out Johnson? or Stetson beats out Hill? or Black beats out Shoshi? or one of the true freshman beats out anyone? Then the whole team takes a big step forward.