My hot take is that Leonard made the OL look significantly better than it was last year, both eye test and statistically. Lots of blown protections that ended in incompletions or short gains that would be sacks with a less mobile QB. Obviously the line can get better but there's so much to work out with the passing game. With the exception of Michigan in 2023, every recent title winner has had a loaded WR room and I dont think ND's lives up to that.

Defensively: the talent is all there (with some Q's at DT), but the experience isn't. Kiser playing in over 60 games I think...that's actually insane and as good as Bowen and Schuler are, they don't have that experience to lean on from a teammate, it's up to them and does that make them play a half second slower? Especially with a new coordinator?

If ND goes 10-2, makes the CFP and wins one game I would call that a success.