I think you hit on at least part of the reason for the high expectations back then with the preseason #1. NU would start the season with a high ranking and a lot of promise and then for whatever reason it wouldn't work out in the end thus the frustration from the fans.
The best way I can relate it to the younger guys is these last few years it was this is the year we are going to make it to a bowl game again, well back then it was National Championships š.