I felt we knew we would have a dropoff on the defensive side this year with less experience and youth (but that does mean that next year we expect a ton more). I thought expectations were maybe highest ever for the offense, but overall, I kind of felt last year the team had higher expectations overall. There was highest ever hope this year, but we knew ST was a struggle and defense wouldn’t be as good so hoping for the offense to carry the team was a big ask – would’ve, could’ve, should’ve if we didn’t have injuries to Kuithe, even Curry, later Kincaid, Rising and if TT was last year’s self, not the distraction he became.
I put Very Satisfied. 10 wins. Conference Champs. And Rose Bowl. With the injuries we had and several players stepping in/up (esp. JJ, even Kincaid, Bernard, Parks, etc. but I will also put Barnes winning WSU). And I will not ever be convinced by anyone that we ‘backed in’ to CCG – we all played our conference slate/schedule and all were subject to the same tie-breakers. If the schedules were different order with the same W and L, let’s say Oregon St. was last, we would have ‘won our way in’.
Florida was the most disappointing – full strength but again, young defense and Rising forces stuff a little on the road. UCLA was a little disappointing but at the time they were playing well then started to fall apart. Oregon, we just got beat.
Next season (depends on who returns or develops), I could see 9-4 (bowl win) to 3x PAC12 champs and chance to be in CFP (but luck is always involved and we’ll likely have at least 2 losses, even as champs). It’ll be another fun year. Some of the recruiting class will have immediate impact, but probably only 3-4 of them (+transfers) but create even more depth when injuries inevitably happen.
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