Halfway through the 2016 season, the mirror facing Florida Atlantic spits back an unflattering image. The preseason hopes of a bowl berth have faded dramatically, an unsightly 1-5 record staring at the Owls ahead of Saturday's game at Marshall.
A season cast as one where Charlie Partridge's program would take a step forward has lost any perceived momentum from last season's losses to Miami and Florida or this year's season-opening win. A five-game losing streak hitches itself to the Owls, weighed down even more by Sunday's last-second 28-23 loss to Charlotte.
"The breakthrough is going to happen," Partridge said.