To pull off such a big upset, Kelly will have to pull out his magic wand and accelerate certain things that we have no right to expect this soon. But to do it, these things have to happen:
1]. Some quarterback has to emerge as a fully polished Kelly-system QB who understands not only the "System" but the idiosyncrasies of all his dangerous receivers. This is far and away the biggest requirement. The business of working out the chemistry between QB and receiving corps might be the toughest thing to expect;
2]. Cierre Wood needs to step up and be the CONSISTENT elite back that we know he can be. If he doesn't do so, then we need a surprise from Gray, Roberson, or, less likely, a freshman [currently McDaniel];
3]. The O-line and receiving corps are already there---just no injuries and normal yearly growth;
4]. No injuries to the vets in the defensive backfield. If none, they will be great;
5]. A settled linebacking corps and player rotation to take advantage of the different run-stopping abilities and pass-defending abilities of players who are not yet complete football players but have great upsides. Diaco may have to be a prophet to get the right mixes on the field play-to-play;
6]. serious stepping up of the defensive line play to push the line-of-scrimmage, disrupt things like Navy's option, and constrict the opposing QBs time and space. As most know, we were not very good at this last year, but got better. Even the superkids coming in may not develop fast enough to help on this next year;
7]. No schedule surprises [i.e. the sudden appearance of a monster team on the schedule --- something which gels without warning];
8]. No sleep-walking upsets. Hard to be at your best every single game.
I went to the trouble to make a long list just to demonstrate that an awful lot has to happen, especially when you have a team which hasn't nearly solidified yet, in order to go undefeated or anything approximating such. Others on this board can grow that list longer.
I don't expect an undefeated season this quickly or even a BCS one, but I realize that it is possible. The problems of the QB<---> receivers "chemistry" and the consistent "stud performance" at RB make this seem like a bit much to ask of Kelly in his second year.
If you want a legit shot at a championship, maybe Te'o's senior year, but I'd say the year after when these young studs are juniors or in Henrix/Rees/Massa's et al cases seniors. And that despite the strength of schedule. We "gunna be Beast" by then, and the schedule might be irrelevant. Having said that, I expect us to be VERY good every one of these years.
