although if they'd worked out nobody would say anything
I get what you're saying ... but this is always the case. If we had gotten that first down on the fake punt vs. Michigan, that would've been genius. But we didn't. Etc.
despite recruiting better than any Gophers coach in the modern era
I'm sure this is true, and probably because of 2019 and 2020 classes (and will be 2021 as well). But the defensive players from 2017 and 2018 certainly aren't helping much this year. And yes, again, Oliver and Teague are out, so who knows.
despite Wisconsin and Iowa slowly building their brands under stable conditions (coaching staffs, admin support, fanbase, etc) for 3+ decades.
Such an important point, so true.