Seven games into the season, the Texas State football team stood one game over .500. The Bobcats were 4-3, fresh off a tough loss to Central Arkansas.

Texas State waxed Stephen F. Austin in its next game and returned home to play Northwestern State for the lead in the Southland Conference.

The Bobcats were on the brink of breaking through the mediocrity that has plagued them for most of their existence in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA).

Even though the result of the game wasn’t wanted (a 34-31 overtime loss), it gave hope.

“We didn’t play well, but we played hard,” Texas State head coach Brad Wright said. “We didn’t make the plays we needed to win the game, but the kids busted their tails and played hard. I think that might be the time where you go, ‘You know, you can’t always play your best, but you can always play hard.’ And they did that.”

Following the loss against the Demons, the Bobcats went on a mission. Knowing they couldn’t lose another game without being eliminated from the SLC race, they didn’t.

Texas State put up 31 quick points on Southeastern Louisiana on the road and then returned home to crush Nicholls State, 34-10. The Bobcats earned their only home conference win by beating the Colonels and also sent the seniors out as winners.

“This group of seniors we have didn’t want to settle for mediocrity,” Wright said on Saturday. “It’s good to see them go out at home with a win.”

The victory not only kept Texas State in the hunt for the SLC title, but it also put pressure on Northwestern State. The Demons needed to beat McNeese State that night to stay on top of the conference.

Northwestern took an early lead, but couldn’t hold on, losing to the Cowboys, 24-17. You better believe that the Bobcat players were all over the scoreboard that night.

“I was surprised,” Wright said about his players knowing. “I don’t know how much football these guys ever watch other than what we make them, but surprisingly, they knew all that had happened.

“We’re excited and we know it’s the best scenario you can ever want to have, being in complete control of your own destiny.”

Texas State now has a chance to advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2005 and only the second time since moving to the FCS. The Bobcats just need to beat Sam Houston State.

It won’t be an easy task for Texas State on Saturday afternoon, as it’ll need to duel with Bearkat quarterback Rhett Bomar. The Oklahoma transfer completed 35-of-59 passes last week for 506 yards.

Should the Bobcats win, no matter what any other team does, they’ll be SLC champions. Texas State would gain the automatic bid to the FCS playoffs and move closer to breaking out of the losing mold that Wright talks so much about.

“If you need to address our team’s mental state at this time of the year with what he have to play for, you better check their pulse,” Wright said. “It should be easy to get up to play and we’re one step closer to doing something they’re not used to around here.”