Given our program's progression from where we were in the early 90s, it felt as thought we'd cracked the code for sticking around. We'd locked up Virginia, for all intents and purposes, and Frank was at the prime age for competing. Our formula of great special teams, spectacular D, was complimented nicely by Vick.

Even in the years after, I felt we were close. I thought 2003 was a prime opportunity, especially after we started 6-0. Obviously that faltered.

I held the belief we could play for a title until 2010. The Boise game broke me and the Stanford game ruined me. I held a smidgen of hope after the staff changes that season, but I was too far gone at that point.