I completely disagree. If anything - the Patriots were the extreme beneficiaries of a down year. The AFC was absolute garbage this year. They probably were a 5 or 6 seed if they played in the NFC.
I'm still in shock. The entire run was unreal. Like Sgt, I too thought we were done for in July when they canned Sigi. I loved the Schmetzer hire, but I assumed we were playing for 2017 at that point. The fact that we are sitting here now as league champions is unbelievable.
Stefan Frei's...
UW has a decided advantage due to their ability to play man to man and get to the QB with 4 linemen. That is kryptonite to offenses like WSU's.
Only x factor in my mind is if WSU can run the ball as they have started to this year. That gives them a chance.