re: Would you settle for a playoff loss?

To answer your question it would certainly be an improvement over the last few years. That said, who among us wouldn't be disappointed to close the season with a loss?

How we feel immediately after the game is likely very different than how we'll feel a month later.

Also, part of the equation with 1/9 is that the loss was to Bama. Those always hurt worse than just about any other.