So are you saying that we could be a legit top 25 team "if we replayed those games now"?
We didn't play well in either of those two games. And we could have. The fact we didn't has nothing to do with how much better we may be now. We were a 14 point underdog to Arkansas. That isn't the typical huge spread against an SEC opponent. We should have covered it.
When the hypothetical 11-2 question was asked... I think everyone is looking at the top 25 right now and crediting just about everyone remaining with wins in their remainder of the season. Half of the existing top 25 are facing their toughest games. We are not. I understand how opponents make a big difference, but any team in the FBS that ends up with 9 straight wins to finish the season... regardless of the opponents... is going to get into the top 25 at the end.
I hope we do it... but certainly not just to prove me correct. We won't get deep into the top 25... but I absolutely guarantee we will break the top 25 if we go 11-2 (with a 9 game win streak to finish).