Pinkel's background was as an OC. They got really good when Owen Daniels was throwing the ball around the field. Certainly, they have been more defense oriented recently, but they also had James Franklin a couple of years ago. I believe they need excitement and throw the ball around. This year showed that you have to score.
The fact they made it to the sec champ twice with defense would lead them to keep that path IMO.
Those other success you mentioned while valid was in the big 10