ND also has the one of the most overrated coaches in CFB and didn't have perhaps the #1 and #2 players on offense in the country. You have to take into account that a lot of folks did give us respect after we stomped ND. We followed that up with 4 straight losses to Pitt, Clemson, Wisconsin, and LSU. We could be fielding the most impressive looking team in decades but because of past history, folks won't fully buy in.
King & Lashlee are just a QB and OC. What does the rest of our squad look like? Many don't view Manny as a good HC, they don't see vast improvements in the OL, Shaq/Pinckney/Bandy's absence is clearly felt, and our receivers don't scare anyone.