For most people Monday is the worst day of the week. In fact, it probably is for absolutely everyone except for the Mamas and Papas.
With that in mind, I’m going to write something positive to get everyone’s week off to a good start. Here’s a list a five teams with a losing record that will rally to go to the postseason:
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1. Louisville (2-4) — Make no mistake about it: The Cardinals are a much better team than their record would indicate. Sure, the four losses look bad, but three of them came against teams that are currently undefeated, while the fourth came against Auburn, which is currently 4-2. Even though UL lost against Florida State, it did manage to turn in its best offensive performance against an FBS opponent this season, racking up 406 yards of total offense against a talented Seminole group that ranks 24th nationally in total defense. Now that the Cardinal offense has found its groove with Lamar Jackson (307 yards passing, 3 TD versus FSU) under center, there’s no reason to believe the team can’t win every game on the schedule — including season-ending road games against Pittsburgh and Kentucky.
Projected finish: 7-5
2. Texas (2-4) — Let’s face it, UT could easily be 4-2 if not for a costly special teams gaffe against both California and Oklahoma State, which are a combined 11-1 right now. Regardless, the ‘Horns are trending in the right direction after beating then-No. 10 Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. In that contest, the Texas defense finally played up to its potential, limiting the Sooners’ previously unstoppable Air Raid offense to just 278 yards total offense and a paltry 1.8 yards per carry. That type of suffocating defense, coupled with Jerrod Heard’s steady play at quarterback, makes the Longhorns a very dangerous team to play in the second half of the season.
Projected finish: 7-5
3. Nebraska (3-4) — When you look at the Huskers’ overall record, it’s easy to think they’re not having a good season as defined by competitiveness and creating opportunities to succeed. Nothing could be further from the truth. Even though it has dropped four contests this year, Nebraska actually held a lead in the final minute of three of them, and scored in the final minute to force overtime in the fourth. Rather than sulk about dropping its last game to Wisconsin, the Cornhuskers responded with a decisive 44-25 victory over Minnesota, limiting the vaunted Gopher ground game to a season-low 65 yards. Behind a potent offense that averages 484 yards per game in Lincoln, the Huskers will pull at least one upset at home, which will be more than enough to propel them into the postseason.
Projected finish: 7-5
4. Colorado State (3-4) — After suffering decisive losses to conference heavyweights Utah State and Boise State in back-to-back weeks, many people gave up on the Rams and started talking about next season. However, CSU rebounded with a solid effort against Air Force, amassing 456 yards of total offense, while limiting the Falcons to just 4.8 yards per carry. Considering how well the Rams played against Air Force — whose other losses came against Navy and Michigan State — there’s no reason to think they’ll miss the postseason. After all, of the games remaining on the schedule, only New Mexico and San Diego State have winning records. With wins in those contests, the Rams could be looking at their third straight 8-win season.
Projected finish: 8-4
5. Arkansas (2-4) — Just when it seemed the Hogs were destined for a losing season, the team rebounded by knocking off Tennessee, 24-20, in Knoxville. Although it followed that up with a loss against Alabama, the Arkansas run defense turned in a solid effort in that contest, limiting the Tide to just 2.9 yards per carry. That showing — in one of the toughest venues in the country for visiting teams — makes me believe Arkansas has what it takes to get back to bowl game. While there’s no such thing as a “gimme” in the SEC West, the Hogs have four of their remaining six games at home, including contests with Tennessee-Martin, Mississippi State (1-2 in SEC play), Auburn (1-2), and Missouri (1-3). Powered by the aforementioned run defense, which allows just 107 yards per game (15th nationally), the Razorbacks will win these four games and return to the postseason.
Projected finish: 6-6
