That was before the blowout losses, the police investigations and the locker-room criticisms.
The Bruins were ranked No. 7 in the nation until a 52-14 blowout loss to a 3-8 Arizona team.
They have also had blowout losses to Boston, San Antonio and Toronto.
The season, however, included four blowout losses, including the one to Georgia in the Independence Bowl.
Branch did not play in the Patriots' regular-season blowout loss to Pittsburgh, one of seven games he missed this season to injury.
The result was a 10-1 blowout loss.
In all three of the team's blowout losses this season, one of the starting guards struggled offensively.
Reeves has already been there three times with the Denver Broncos, although all ended in blowout losses.
Instead, the Jets collapsed in their third consecutive blowout loss, 28-3.
A 42-point defeat on opening night, when diamond-studded rings were awarded and the banner was raised, turned out to be the first of 13 blowout losses.