Great post Marine1. We need to be aware of this. Again sofla comes in strong.
1. Mullen's numbers are impressive and should not be dismissed. He has done a really good job. His offensive numbers have clearly been affected by Trask's play. While Mullen can't take all the credit (and his credit is undermined by the fact that Trask didn't start earlier during Mullen's tenure), know one knows how much he has or has not affected Trask's ability and he should certainly get credit for actually changing the offense to take advantage of his abilities.
2. Like all comparisons over different era, 78's comments apply. These are different times and we shouldn't think that just because Mullen's numbers are better - and they are - that he's a better coach. It's not that simple. What is clear is that Mullen gets much less respect for what he's done and that he should get more. Nonetheless, this is true...
3. Next year will be a big test for Mullen. Losing Trask is a big deal and will have a major affect on our offense and team. Imagine if our offense were much more dependent on the run game this year.
Yes, Jones at QB would help some, but be assured that we would be no where near the effectiveness, reliability, and potency of this year's offense. How much will this year's offense affect the way UF offenses and recruiting during future seasons of Mullen's tenure? I hope he has grown and adapted, not simply switched to a different style for Trask, just to return once Trask is gone. I believe that he has grown to some degree, but to what degree is the question.
4. My fear is that the recruiting and defense (and maybe future offensive ceiling?) under Mullen won't rise enough to allow us to compete with the elite. Most, including me, thought Mullen would be a high floor guy and questioned whether his ceiling would be below elite / national championship level. I believe Trask is a once per decade talent and that without his very fortunate ascendancy, and the inability to reliably repeat it, this may be the best offense we see out of Mullen & Co. Hopefully the defense improves, but it would be hard to predict the offense being better.
TL;DR? Mullen has surpassed expectations and that should be recognized. I fear that we may be seeing the zenith of his program this year, especially offensively.