A couple years ago, I wanted to see how much we'd improved as a program since Mullen took over so I put together this spreadsheet. We've definitely improved overall - an extra non-conference game each year since 2006 hasn't hurt. And even in SEC play, we're basically a W per year better than we were in the 14 years before 2009.
But as the OP points out, it's really difficult for a program like us to make any sort of jump in league play. We keep hitting our head on that four conference win-ceiling. It'll be interesting to see if things change (for good or for ill) depending on how our league schedule shakes out once Oklahoma and Texas join in 2024.
A couple notes about the chart:
- I think the all the numbers, totals, averages, etc... are correct but I make no claims or guarantees of accuracy and my legal team of Dewey, Cheatham and Howe stands ready to invoke the Fat Finger defense if challenged.
- This is probably obvious but I ignore forfeits and/or vacated wins and use strictly on-field results.
- Don't recall why I started with 1979 other than probably the fact that Bellard to Croom was an even 30 years.
- I probably need to review the SEC Finish column. I don't know that I've been very consistent over the years about noting when we tied with someone else in the league standings.
Anyway, here's Wonderwall.
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