sorry, kj, the only thing you can do is determine whether or not the gameplay is worth the frustration. The netcode will determine how well you do, not your actual gameplay.
Towards the end I was MISERABLE every time I picked up the controller and I spread that misery through the clan (sorry folks). The only time I enjoyed playing was after a few beers, when i cared less about ... everything.
Horse-trading this POS game was probably the best thing I could've done. We'll see if it continues after B.O.2 comes out
(on a side note, does Activision realize that when people are saying they're happier NOT playing their game, that's not a good thing? My opinion expressed above is happening ALL OVER THE PLACE! Mw2 and Black Ops had nowhere near the level of defection that MW3 does. Do they even give a shit?)