From what I remember, Gunsby was a guy that Holtz and crew were recruiting from their ECU days that flipped to us when Holtz came over. So, i guess you can say that he is "C-USA - level" talent.. but at this point, with the Big East the way it is, I think he has enough to be competitive in conference. I don't think the BCS conferences are completely Head & Shoulders above the mid-majors like C-USA in terms of talent (with the exception of maybe the SEC).
again, it all comes down to coaching and I think Holtz and crew don't want to mess this Gunsby kid up, even if its during a transition period. And like he says, he doesn't like the idea of "baptizing" a kid into college football on the road in hostile environments against conference foes. Its hard enough to do it, even with knowing the playbook inside & and out.
We don't know if he will be the savior, but i'm willing to bet he is better than what Leavitt left us at the helm