[Goose]

Still, I think visually speaking the team looks far more motivated and well-coached than the backwash of the Shaw era, so the direction is positive in that sense.

IMO there is no question that the team looks far more motivated than Shaw's last two teams did. This team has a perception that they are getting better and that their best games are in front of them. That is a force multiplier, especially in games like the WSU game where victory is attainable through effort. Statistically, we "lost" the WSU game everywhere but on the scoreboard. That can be attributed in large measure to motivation, belief, and continued effort. This team has pretty reliably shown those attributes, which is indeed a "good thing".

[Goose]

Still, I think visually speaking the team looks far more motivated and well-coached than the backwash of the Shaw era, so the direction is positive in that sense.

IMO there is no question that the team looks far more motivated than Shaw's last two teams did. This team has a perception that they are getting better and that their best games are in front of them. That is a force multiplier, especially in games like the WSU game where victory is attainable through effort. Statistically, we "lost" the WSU game everywhere but on the scoreboard. That can be attributed in large measure to motivation, belief, and continued effort. This team has pretty reliably shown those attributes, which is indeed a "good thing".