If you consider by beating Northwestern and a D2 school this year they would be bowl eligibile. Stop Wisconsin and they would be in the West hunt.
Joseph almost turned us around bowl eligible if not for the no first downs backup QB play.
A tweek here and there, a player here and there, and 6 wins is doable. Fewer penalties, turnovers, and a kicker and they could take the west. The west is that bad.