Here is my main problem with your post:
I'm convinced that most of you are trying to make yourselves feel better b/c you see the writing on the wall for next year and beyond.
And
We will pull even with OM as early as next year or 2011 at the latest.
Now, here is my question. Does this mean that you think that we're going to start sucking, or that you think you're going to get better, or both?
I get the feeling that you think it is both, and I don't see it at least from our end. I think Mullen will do an immensely better job than Croom, and he'll get you to respectability. Will he win an SEC or national title? No, but neither will Nutt or anyone we hire.
If you're saying that you think we're going to remain a solid program and you're just going to catch up with us, that's fine by me. I'm primarily concerned about my team. If we're doing well, I'm happy. Right now, Nutt appears to be recruiting well, as well as we've seen at least. And he appears to have a clue what to do with them, so while I don't expect us to take over the world, I do expect us to put a respectable, quality product on the field more often than not. I expect Mullen to do the same.
While you are a rival and therefore I pull against you by nature, I can tell you that the Egg Bowl was more enjoyable when it meant something. The 4 games from 1997-2000, and even if you go back to 1992, those games were all a load of fun because both teams had a lot on the line besides just bragging rights.
2001-2009 really haven't been as fun. 2001-2003 and in 2008 and 2009, you have been relegated to trying to play spoiler for our bowl position. In 2007, we were trying to play spoiler. 2004-2006 were not fun at all. When the teams are playing for something other than 5th in the division, it's a whole lot more exciting.
I think both teams may still be in building mode come next season, but I get the feeling that 2011 and 2012 may get us back to what it felt like in that stretch from 97-00 when both teams were playing for more than just pride.