I should have been clearer. It's a small step, but it takes a lot of effort to climb it.
The difference between 10 wins and 11 wins could be one play (a la Michigan State hail mary). But to achieve that, takes more effort than meets the eye.
And there is not a single proven thing that supports a 7 or an 8 win season either. Words like "should" and "potential" are the only things that you can use to support such a prediction, one based entirely on "despair". Doesn't mean it can't happen...we've seen weirder things, and bigger come-aparts (Auburn from '10 to '11). But we as a program don't ride on seasons like a roller coaster.
Pelini teams have proven that
1) They will finish the year ranked.
-and-
2) They will manage at least 9 wins.
To expect anything below that is betting against the house.