[81alum]

and the recruits in the next incoming class would need to be significantly be better.

This. 

C.al went so low that I think there will be patience so long as the APR goes up and the perceived quality of the recruits also goes up., even if the win record does not change much this year. 

If the APR should go down at all there will be an immediate dismissal of Dykes.  And if the defense looks equally incompetent as last year I also think Dykes will be gone.

It is important for Dykes to be able to point to a promising future as C.al suffers through another generally bad season.  There need to be some flashes of brilliance out of very young players.  For example, if Goff pulls off a couple of come-from-behind last minute miracles this year, and if one of the young defensive players becomes a known playmaker (sacks, interceptions, etc.), the fans could be encouraged even if the season was otherwise pretty miserable. 

Also militating against the dismissal of Dykes is the overhaul of the offense he has installed.  It was such a radical change from the past that 1) people probably understand that it takes time to "take," and 2) firing Dykes would now be hugely disruptive unless his replacement continued his offensive scheme.

[81alum]

and the recruits in the next incoming class would need to be significantly be better.

This. 

C.al went so low that I think there will be patience so long as the APR goes up and the perceived quality of the recruits also goes up., even if the win record does not change much this year. 

If the APR should go down at all there will be an immediate dismissal of Dykes.  And if the defense looks equally incompetent as last year I also think Dykes will be gone.

It is important for Dykes to be able to point to a promising future as C.al suffers through another generally bad season.  There need to be some flashes of brilliance out of very young players.  For example, if Goff pulls off a couple of come-from-behind last minute miracles this year, and if one of the young defensive players becomes a known playmaker (sacks, interceptions, etc.), the fans could be encouraged even if the season was otherwise pretty miserable. 

Also militating against the dismissal of Dykes is the overhaul of the offense he has installed.  It was such a radical change from the past that 1) people probably understand that it takes time to "take," and 2) firing Dykes would now be hugely disruptive unless his replacement continued his offensive scheme.