Mellott was the best QB, but Chambers was very good, could run the main offense, and was certainly the best qb when Mellott was hurt. Replacing top o-linemen who left in the Portal, with a former starters who had been injured last season, may or may not work out. And, the departed guys were very good. Replacing all-conference Valdez with a walk-on transfer from WSU who played in one game and made no tackles last season, doesn't seem like a good trade to me.
I agree this looks like the 8-4 team from last season. While the 2024 team could be better, it looks like it is more likely to be worse. And, then there's the potential Melllott injury