Excuses for what? Building a foundation of continued success for years? This program is miles ahead of where Brewster left it and is also on more solid footing than during Mason's years imo (and that's just recent history). The biggest reason? Defense. I'd much rather have the program where it is today than where it ever was with Brewster and where is was after the 2006 debacle to Texas Tech under Mason. But that's just on the field stuff, the off field stuff is where this program has really changed. They won't win the West this year, especially with a crossover game against OSU, you know, the #1 ranked team in the country OSU. But I wouldn't bet against them next year.