Count me in the camp that 16 was an aberration as far as a Shoop defense goes, and we will have a much better year next year. I think if that happens, Kongbo and Kirkland will go pro, and Shoop will be a real threat to leave. Until I see more on the field from KMac, and better injury luck from Shy, I wont consider them as DTs who can take us to a championship. Regardless, I can't reconcile the secondary- specifically the CBs- being much more than a liability for the next couple of years. So we are going to likely have to overcome that both next year and 2018.
Offensively, I have big concerns at WR. I do think that Kelly will have a very, very good year next year, and as an RB, could use that as a springboard to declare. If he does, we will likely take a step back at RB, and we aren't sure if we have a QB yet.
So to sum up, I think 9-3 or 8-4 next year. Two or three of our top juniors go pro, and beyond them, I think the depth we've built for the most part is very average, due to the defections we've had through the years. Most will shrug this off, because absolutely, we didn't lose any AAs, but this is where your depth comes from. Plus, that's when the 16 and 17 classes will start to see the field in earnest, and I just feel those were a big step back from championship caliber.
I think if there is one big hope, it is the OL. I think that position has been extremely well managed under Butch, and it's an important one.