After our game vs Bama, we lost in 2OT to 11-win Arkansas (they were blown out by Arkansas in Columbia just 2 weeks earlier), we cruised against OM after building a 31-9 4th quarter lead, and we blew out Michigan inour NYD bowl.
We had a better defense than USC, and the late improvement in our passing game gaveus a more potent offense than we had earlier in the season.
So I'd say at the end of the season, we were better.