An outsider opinion:
- Elko had a mostly easy schedule in 2025 and did an amazing job of keeping the team up week in and week out. Big road win over ND (despite questionably missed holding on the final play). The loss against Texas was tough but it was a road loss.
- 2026 brings a slightly tougher schedule in his third year.
If Elko goes 9-3, all is good. If Elko goes 8-4 (or worse), the questions would be legitimate.
Personal opinion: I like Elko a lot and think he's a good fit.
"So long as an opinion is strongly rooted in the feelings, it gains rather than loses in stability by having a preponderating weight of argument against it."
- John Stuart Mill, 1869