I think most people who have followed this program objectively figured this team would go 6-6 or maybe 7-5 so things went pretty much as expected. If they can win their bowl game, they can match our best year in the post death penalty era which will be quite an accomplishment and right on par with what JJ was able to accomplish.
Key will be whether positive momentum can be sustained this time around. Next year's divisional schedule will be more favorable (with Houston, Memphis and Navy at Ford) but road wins will be tough to come by ans schedule overall more difficult. Have to hope for coaching stability and for this team to continue to mature. Will need to be really tough at home and losing Brown, Lawler, Gentry & Sutton are going to hurt but it's time for the younger guys to step up and prove they can be better than the guys they have been playing behind. Oh...and a couple of key grad transfers would certainly help.