I’m not trying to justify the record. I guess I’m trying to justify that the talent on the team was superior to that of other/most 7-5 teams. Which, again, relates to op’s topic - how we will fare this season (with better coaches).
Also, those aren’t excuses - they’re simply statements of fact. I’m not really playing in complex hypotheticals, either (like saying if Vandy has a top 5 class… that’s nonsense). Those two plays determined the final outcome of those two games, and neither play required any type of assumption. They were binary. Make chip shot fg = win. Stop 4th 14 = win. We failed, both times. And that is a direct reflection on the quality of the coaching staff. No arguments there. No participation trophy. No shoulda coulda or woulda. Still, it’s fair to point out that simple execution on two very routine plays would have changed our record last season.
Some teams are better than what their record shows (and some are worse). Obviously. But you can keep on keepin on with your Parcells thing, if you must.