This was always a 9-3 or 10-2 year by the most optimistic(any reasonable optimist). Never a championship caliber team. That was dependent on good qb play, too. Well, we haven't had it for the 2nd year in a row. But even an elite qb wouldn't take this team to the promised land. We lack the OL and pass rushers to do so. I expected us to be better, but if you told me neither king or Johnson would be anything better than average(and arguably less than average), I'd immediately go back on my 9-3/10-2 prediction to 7-5/8-4.
Now, all of these holes are the fault of the head coach in year 5. Qb, ol, wr, and edge rusher play. But on paper, the 2023 and and 2024 teams would kick this teams ass. We just have to keep guys on campus better and develop them.