It is a nice article. While it falls on the positive side if I was judging tone, I think they do introduce a legitimate concern about coaching vs. recruiting. The piece keeps the positive tone by not delving very deeply here.
The one idea they raise that I'm really curious about is what fans expect from this year's team and what will be construed as a disappointment. For me, a majority of my expectations for improvement come during the Big 10 schedule. I would really be disappointed with anything less than 4-4 from this year's team in the league. Before I get the requisite response that 4-4 isn't a great record, it would still be one of the five best conference seasons in the last 19 seasons, one game shy of being tied for the best conference season in the last 35 years, and would be a one game improvement on last year's record. Add to that this year's Big 10 slate looks more difficult with Penn State and Michigan State replacing Indiana and Michigan... even minus its senior receivers, Penn State on the road will be a way bigger test than Indiana, and Michigan State is more than likely going to be stronger than Michigan. In terms of the non-conference, I would really expect 3-1, with Cal being the lone loss. That puts us at 7-5 for a second straight season. Are folks disappointed that a still-young team repeated its record against a noticeably tougher schedule? Would a bowl win instead of a bowl loss allow the possibility to perceive the team as improved?
My biggest fear is this team looks competitive, looks to be improving, but finishing 6-6 or 7-5 and people are instantly turned off by the idea that the team isn't getting any better.