Told you so.

Told everybody who would listen. Got a bunch of head shakes. Got laughed at a lot.

Rose-colored glasses? Comparatively, Pollyanna was a brutal pessimist.

Who could possibly think, after watching the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns find all-new ways to lose during the first half of the season, that a five-game win streak was feasible?

The Cajuns had just lost to Arkansas State after leading 29-14 in the fourth quarter. They lost by more than two touchdowns to Florida Atlantic, of all people.

They were 1-5 and had two conference losses in two games. Their only chance was mathematical, and the odds were astronomical.

It shouldn't have happened. For the umpteenth straight season, things were on track for "wait 'till next year."

Few believed. I did.

The ingredients were there, in the pan. All that was needed was something to light the oven. A spark. Something, as coaches often say, to hang their hat on. And they got it at, of all places, Murfreesboro, Tenn.

The rest of the story

Dan McDonald
Second Wind Column
(337) 289-6318
dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com