I'm not really sure what kind of "uptick" you're looking for. The two most prominent races this year both went to Democrats (granted, one was friggin Jersey). The VA race was close, and the conservative spin on that is that Kilgore was too incompetent. Right. it had nothing to do with Mark Warner's immense popularity in the state.
The really noticeable difference may not come until early next year, when we really begin to see the quality comparisons between the candidates. The "word on the streets" is that a lot of realy good GOP candidates are opting to sit out in these House races, sort of making the whole thing a self-fulfilled prophecy.