We lost some massive talent early to the NFL draft in 2023, namely CJ and Paris, but we knew they were going and had a plan to replace them. To me the loss that cost us a shot at a natty was Wypler inexplicably and unexpectedly going. That thrust Carson Hinzman into the starting lineup a year before he was ready. With four new starters, the O line got off to a bumpy start, and while it did improve throughout the season, CH always the lowest rated of them. To make matters worse, he says what he said and gets in Day's doghouse. Then after the season we go to the portal, and bring in Seth McAwesome to be the starting C. Nobody would have blamed Hinzman if he left at that point. Instead he moves into a backup role. When Jackson gets kicked out to LT, Hinzman moves to LG and he flourishes and the line plays great. Then Seth goes down, and CH has to move back to C. Replacing the guy who literally won the Rimington. With all the pressure and scrutiny in the world on that line 3.0, they played better than anyone could have imagined against the toughest stretch in college football history. Credit to Frye and his staff, and credit to all the players, but special credit to the guy who could have walked away, but instead became the glue that held this thing together.