(Length alert)
I agree. The Rose Bowl(s) will be the determining factor. But I believe CML will have more bowls, more winning seasons AND will be happy in Pullman for a longer period of time. So his success will be stronger and longer, thus giving him more opportunity to make those Rose Bowl appearances a reality.
With this coach, he has proven anything is possible. Yes, including losing a game we should have won (we should never forget that the TT faithful told us upon CML's hire). But I sense a serious long term optimism I haven't felt in a very long time. I'm willing to jump on that train, knowing I've firmly placed the Crimson Tinted glasses squarely on my nose.
This may go to the Boise State thread where CSB has mentioned he hates when fans blindly follow. And while I don't "hate" it, I do find it amusing. But to be clear, I'm not blindly following. Just following with excitement. Not spouting about how we should be in the Top 5 in the nation, no real hyperbole. Just stoked about our future. We have a bright one and CML is leading this program in the right direction.
I've contended the mental aspect is the key, the foundation for WSU to start winning again. From day 1 I've stated that. Last year showed the strides that have been made in that dept.. Other than the PSU game (maybe the AC but that is debatable due to the injuries though out our ranks at the time), we never gave up. And in doing so, we won several games when the opposition just stopped playing. I'm excited due to the mental aspect that I'm seeing. We have no ceiling with that tough, hard, no excuse attitude, IMHO. That includes Rose Bowls in our future. Do we need to win the North first? Yep. It'll all come.
We won't be perennial TOP 10's but we'll be dabbling our foot in that pool. Is it possible to be perennially in the TOP 10? You bet. Just don't know if we'll ever get there due my luggage from our past. CML was taking TT there quite a bit so who knows.
So long story, long… I do believe Price will be our first, but second tier, "Golden Era". This is
one time I am looking into the crystal ball.
Sorry so long. I'll put my pom poms down now.