[81alum]

First, the 1977 team went 9-3, not 8-4.  It was the 1978 team in Walsh's second year that went 8-4.  We would have gone 10-2 if it were not for a close loss at Colorado for the opener.  Darrin Nelson was discovered in that game, and had Walsh known before the game just what he had with Darrin he could have turned him loose for even more yards.

Yes, I would say that the 1977 offense was vastly more talented and better coached than the 2012 offense.

However, I would also say that the 1977 defense was probably  less talented than the 2012 defense.  Gordy and Milt McCall were our defense's biggest stars, but the defense had a horrible time against elite teams, as when SC beat us 49-0 and Washington beat us 45-21.  Teams racked up a lot of yards against that defense.  It was a "bend but don't break" sort of defense, except when it broke.

[81alum]

First, the 1977 team went 9-3, not 8-4.  It was the 1978 team in Walsh's second year that went 8-4.  We would have gone 10-2 if it were not for a close loss at Colorado for the opener.  Darrin Nelson was discovered in that game, and had Walsh known before the game just what he had with Darrin he could have turned him loose for even more yards.

Yes, I would say that the 1977 offense was vastly more talented and better coached than the 2012 offense.

However, I would also say that the 1977 defense was probably  less talented than the 2012 defense.  Gordy and Milt McCall were our defense's biggest stars, but the defense had a horrible time against elite teams, as when SC beat us 49-0 and Washington beat us 45-21.  Teams racked up a lot of yards against that defense.  It was a "bend but don't break" sort of defense, except when it broke.