I’m an Aggie. I’ll offer my best objective take, which I don’t think is any more or maybe less biased than the prevailing opposite bias around here.
If we win at Mizzou I’ll take a breath. Not that Mizzou with 3rd QB is awesome but: at that point you’re at least 10-2 and almost for sure in the PO. If Texas embarrasses us completely in Austin that could change the calculus but barring that I feel like the program has taken a significant step to sounder footing. Reed getting hurt could happen and upset the whole thing.
I’m happy with the recruiting and more so with the transfer portal. So far Scourton, Howell, Craver, Concepcion, Will Lee, Armaj-Reed have been superb takes where we need them. Ricks, Scooby, Hayes, and to a lesser extent Boerkircher have contributed. I don’t worry about the ability to patch holes with the staff and the people we lost haven’t been sorely missed.
I assume Elko stays and likely gets a raise. I imagine Klein has a better than even chance to get a HC gig. I’ve been happy with Elko’s hires and the staff overall.
Next year is next year. No one has any idea what LSU looks like, if Eli sticks around or bolts to Auburn or something, and how OU fixes their shit. Florida and LSU looked like 2/3 of our biggest hurdles on 1 August. So yeah, 10-2 and in the CFP is something to build on. 11-1 and SEC CCG appearance is better. 12-0 for sure would be best. Gun to my head, I’d say 11-1 is most likely.