Didn't vote in the poll because I don't conceptualize what's going on that way.
I want to see a program that is getting better.
1. My belief (and yes it's plenty debatable) is that RECRUITING is getting better. Gibbs, Williams and Sims started most games on offense. Tr-fr DL like Kennard, Ivey, & Stone were pressed into service on D in this depleted year. Yes they struggled, but they also showed flashes of raw talent and athleticism that have me excited. Just need physical maturation and consistency. Rankings were good on the class last year, and this year it depends on what service you look at. For me, the 247 composite is garbage in/garbage out. IMO ESPN is garbage and for this COVID year 247's rating are also garbage. After being a member of each service I personally trust Rivals WAY more. Again that's just MY opinion, you don't have to believe it. This year Rivals had us at 31st despite not hitting 20 recruits in the class. However two of the six transfers coming in are likely NFL draft picks and they are an OL & DL—where we need help the most. And we are not done with recruiting/transfers yet for this year. So for me at least, it's a big improvement.
2. On OFFENSE we looked a lot better both running and passing. Is it still rough? Yep. But I see the improvement and I see the young star power. OL is what's holding us back, that takes time and they were improved from last year. Cochran coming in will help a bunch, as will a year of development for Jordan, and across the board for what was a good & deep OL class last year.
3. On defense we looked improved at times and worse at others. However as a LB I understand the lack of depth, attrition, and resulting youth we played on the DL made for tough sledding—particularly at the end of the year. Hopefully Chimedza, Clayton, and Ryans all return from injury and return strong. Mature bodies are on the way in Makius Scott from USCe, Harris from Bama, & White the elite pass rusher. Then we have another year of development for Ivey, Stone, Domineck, Kennard, Johnson, etc. Also some highly regarded frosh coming in. So on D for now all I can say is I'm excited about the guys we have coming in.
4. ST's. Punting/coverage/fake punts = A. Kick off / Coverage = C (got a fair number of touchbacks, coverage by a young team IMO better than last year but still rough). KOR had a few big plays/improved but still needs work =C. FG/XP = F (Main problem was we brought in a bunch of young kickers and none of them could get the ball up quick. Some protection screw ups as well. Stewart was the first kid who figured out how to get kicks up kicking off the ground, so we did improve some by the end of the year). All in all I would say the only thing that keeps me from saying we got better.
As for how we will do next year? Who the hell knows. Really good teams can end up being .500 teams with a tough schedule. I just want to continue to see improvement. Eventually the W's will come with continuous improvement.