Obviously we are a better team, but not for any of the reason you cite. New coaches and young players. Plus Ohio is probably a pretty solid football team.
Every year sans last and possibly the year before, the team has constantly improved all year. That's good coaching. Some just can't see it because they ignore the adversity facing most college teams that can't just load up on 5 stars or buy an experienced power 5 defense like Oklahoma. Anyone who truly believed Campbell was on any kind of hot seat except by the social media mob is delusional. We've beaten both the teams in the Big 12 championship game last year and lost to Oklahoma. Not bad. Many winnable games on the horizon but the margin for error is small. Just hoping for continued improvement in all the young players.
Yeah, after that game I was pretty upset, especially with play calling. But as you said, we don't know how limited the team was. In terms of the passing game especially, with the benefit of hindsight, we saw Becht play really well in the second half. However, could anyone reasonably expect that from a QB who spent halftime throwing up? If I'm a coach going into that game, I'm probably going to try to avoid putting the game entirely on that guy's shoulders, even if he's still the best option.
To one of the best teams in college football. It's a throw away when discussing the status of Iowa State. We're playing a different game.
