Elite? Based on what?

I think the hope preseason was that we'd see an elite team that we thought had arrived at that status for the first time since the 88-93 years of the Holtz era after the rocky start last year. It hasn't happened. This team has no identity on offense or defense. It frequently looks unprepared. It's talent and easy schedule and some good fortune (like Toney's injury) and chaos elsewhere have gotten it to a playoff position, but I would not be surprised by an upset in the next three games. If ND does get in, I'm skeptical about it contending for an NC. Something just feels off with this team.