gtmg, I think you miss the point in several areas. Just because O'Leary left after the season doesn't mean he was distracted during the year. That's revisionist history. If you go back and look at the ND situation as it unfolded, O'Leary clearly wasn't their top choice. To say he was planning to leave during the year is ludicrous.
I also have problems with anyone who talks about "if only this had happened". If UVA had kicked field goals we would have started those next drives in better field position (after ko returns). The situation on the scoreboard would have been different and our playcalling would likely have changed. It's pointless to suppose what might have happened, the entire situation after that event changes.
I'm not saying we have turned the corner and solved all problems. We still have far too many dropped passes for example. IF Watkins catches the pass in the end zone before halftime we have 27 instead of 23 points. That changes the situation as well. IF our defense had caught any of the 3 dropped INTS it would have changed things. IF we either complete the 2 tipped passes in the second half, or made the block on the only guy with a chance to stop the screen in the 4th qtr, the situation would have been different. And finally IF Glover doesn't fumble on the VA 36 in the 3rd we likely (?) score and make it 30 or more.
My point is we played much better than we have and beat a pretty good team. We aren't a great team and still have work to do. Why not leave it at that and get ready for NCSU.