Although 7-5 is a bad year by any measure, consider that this team was curb-stomping Iowa until Clifford went down, and the coaching staff had no other QB prepared to step in. That's definitely on the coaches.
And then 9 OTs against Illinois at home, and they couldn't score from 3 yards out? That's on the coaching staff.
And then a loss by 3 points to Michigan State on the road, with Michigan State recovering from the flu bug, and with one of the best kickers in America missing 4 points on a field goal and a PAT. The time out ahead of the field goal is on the coaches.
Are they elite yet?
And then 9 OTs against Illinois at home, and they couldn't score from 3 yards out? That's on the coaching staff.
And then a loss by 3 points to Michigan State on the road, with Michigan State recovering from the flu bug, and with one of the best kickers in America missing 4 points on a field goal and a PAT. The time out ahead of the field goal is on the coaches.
Are they elite yet?