One win at a time

I don't think there is any doubt that the Wyoming Cowboys season hinged on Saturday's game at Toledo.

A loss to the Rockets, and at 1-4, you could probably kiss the Cowboys chances of being bowl eligible good-bye.

At 2-3, there's still hope. The Cowboys will still likely need to knock somebody off that isn't expected, and I think BYU should be in their sites. But closing the season with four very winnable games - at New Mexico and UNLV and at home with San Diego State and CSU, another 6-6 regular-season record could get them in a bowl.

Again, losing to Toledo would have made that opportunity very difficult.

Now, that's not to say that the Cowboys are a lock to win those final four -- we all now that the road to success has stumbling blocks along the way if you aren't paying attention.

Wyoming needs to pay close attention to detail.

If the Cowboys finish 6-6 and get in and win another bowl game -- remember, I said if -- then it would be hard to deny that this was a successful season. In fact, to be able to accomplish what they did last year, I'm not so sure that it wouldn't be a more successful feat.

Yes, I'm probably ahead of myself, as there is a lot of season left and it all could crumble if the Cowboys don't close with those four wins. For now, its five games into a 12-game season. It is what it is.

So, you say same record, but more successful? With Wyoming's schedule this season, that's what it will amount to.

In the meantime, the Cowboys need to revert to last year's strong finishes in games (UW has been outscored 50-0 in the fourth quarter this year) and they need to shore up things offensively and defensively.

But none of that would mean a hill of beans if the Cowboys gave up a late TD to Toledo Saturday and lost 22-20.

So be patient Wyoming fans, especially with TCU, Utah and BYU up next. It's what follows these three that will decide things.