Context matters. Those double digit wins are routinely against the middle to bottom of the Big Ten, and occasionally a halfway decent non conference opponent early in the season. Going to the playoffs last year means nothing when you're this bad this year.
And the problems with this team are consistent issues that are bigger than just this year. They consistently can't recruit wide receivers that are legitimate threats. The defense should've upgraded with hiring Jim Knowles, and appears to have taken a step back, suggesting it's both a talent issues, and massively overpaying for a DC, which is also a decision Franklin would've influenced or made himself.
All the signs are that the team has peaked under Franklin at least for now, and was about to slide into a down period, whether it's extended or temporary. And with the Big Ten having just expanded, this really isn't the time to be a middle of the road team. Oregon really just walked in and took their spot as the third team that you should expect to be a title contender each year, and he seemed completely unprepared to effectively fight back. Sucks, but if you're a school that thinks you should be a title contender each year, what Franklin was giving them just wasn't good enough.
