The 2023 team arguably had more talent (or at least 'as much' talent) as the 2024 team. They had a Top 5 defense in advanced stats and certainly had a much more talented OL when you consider the two tackles.
That team, IMO, goes at worst 11-1 and probably 12-0 with Denbrock. The three losses were Ohio State (easy win to be had because defense shut them down), Louisville where we turned it over a hundred times with horribly called offense, and Clemson where it was similar shit... defense forced tons of 3 & out, offense stunk up the joint because we couldn't scheme WRs open or run the ball. The WRs were terrible but we also did them no favors... I don't know much about football, but people I trust seemed to think the passing concepts were "JV high school level."
Coaching matters, Hartman was not put in position to succeed. That's also my big concern with what's going on at DC.