Setting Sun or Defining Moment

 Will the Owls run out of daylight Saturday against North Texas - a team that finds themselves in the same position, struggling for conference victories?

The Owls have many missed opportunities so far this season and their last game at Lockhart was a gut wrenching loss for this program. Even though it was not a conference game, it was still the type of game that could help define the rest of the season.

A bye week couldn’t have come at a better time, and yes time does help in this case.

The Mean Green on the other end had their own gut wrenching loss last week, squandering a 10-point lead in the final quarter. They allowed the Ragin’ Cajuns to walk away with a victory with 27 seconds remaining, and were unable to snap a 12-game conference losing streak.

Todd Dodge, who is in his third season at North Texas, had this to say after the loss: “This is a group of kids and coaches deserve a win…It’s a gut-wrenching feeling when you feel like you have it and let it slip away like the ones we have had”.

So, this weekend, you have two teams looking to turn things around. 

The Owls had all intentions of competing for a conference championship, while the Mean Green had every intention of gathering respect from their counterparts.

The Owls chances might seem dim, but the possibilities of turning things around still exist; making the upcoming game on Saturday with the Mean Green a very important road game indeed.

It's hard to justify any loss, but the loss to the Cowboys could prove to be just what the Owls needed.  They have beaten themselves with mental mistakes on both side of the ball. Which is expected from a young defensive group, but not from an experienced offensive unit. So, a "reality check" moment of truth has been served, and now is the time to see just what this team is made of.

Last season they proved themselves worthy, as leaders emerged at the right time to turn things around; going from a 1-5 start to a Bowl game - where they played their most complete game of the season.

The Owls are facing a very similar situation at this junction of the season with closed door meetings, and a bye week to help ease the pain. Will leaders emerge once again to mount the charge and to put the ship on the right course? If not, then it will sail aimlessly.

With two teams looking to recover from gut-wrenching losses, a loss on Saturday could be as tough as any for either one. But it could be most devastating for the Owls; while ending any hopes of salvaging this season. This is a must win game for FAU and playing this one on the road away from the “drama queen” of Lockhart could be just what the doctor ordered.

Hopefully, fewer distractions will help the players stay focused; something they have struggled with so far this season. "Will the Owls pull things together" is a question to be answered soon enough.