The talk among all Eastern football players in early August was not just about making the playoffs.

Qualifying for the program for a third straight time, along with a third consecutive Ohio Valley Conference championship, was mentioned.

But the talk centered more on advancing deep in the postseason and making a national title run.

Or of at least getting out of the first round of the playoffs, something the last two Panther teams have not done. And something an Eastern team hasn’t done in its last six trips to the postseason.

The 1989 team was the last Eastern team to win a playoff game before losing in the quarterfinals.

Two months later, the focus of playing for the national title on Dec. 14 in Chattanooga, Tenn., is still there.

But now, the remaining five games on Eastern’s schedule are the Panthers’ version of a national title game during the regular season.

It’s pretty cut and dry.

If Eastern (3-3), loses another game during the regular season, the Panthers’ last game will be Nov. 17 against Samford in the regular season finale.

No talk of who or where the team might play two days after Thanksgiving in a first-round playoff game.

No scenes of the team gathering in the Student Recreation Center lobby, anxiously awaiting news of a Football Championship Subdivision.

The Panthers won’t make the playoffs with a 7-4 record.

There are too many quality teams in the FCS for Eastern to sneak in. An 8-3 record, if the Panthers do win out, is even questionable.

Yes, the OVC had two teams get in the playoffs last year for the first time since 2002. But the conference isn’t that well-known nationally to make that a habit.

National reputation, something Eastern has earned the last two seasons, does not guarantee a playoff spot. And the OVC has not had a team advance past the first round of the playoffs since then-league member Western Kentucky did in 2000.

The Panthers’ early-season loss to Illinois State, who started the year ranked in the Top 10 nationally, is losing more credibility by the week. The Redbirds are now 2-4, and with last week’s loss to Missouri State, playoff chances are bleak in Normal.

That was the lone non-conference foe with some credibility. (The loss to Purdue doesn’t count because Eastern had about as good a chance in winning that game as the Cubs do winning a World Series this century.)

The win at Indiana State didn’t do much besides show that the Panthers offense can go for big yards against inferior opponents.

Eastern Kentucky clearly showed it is the team to beat in the league by coming into O’Brien Stadium and beating up on the Panthers. Right now, of Eastern’s five remaining opponents, none have a winning record.

Then again, neither does Eastern.

Coaches and players say in wonderful clichés that every game on the schedule is the most important game.

Eastern’s next five games are an early indication of what a playoff atmosphere will be like.

There’s plenty of blame to go around for the team’s first three losses. Mistakes, like too many penalties by the offensive line or dropped passes, have hurt the offense. Not enough takeaways and sacks, plus blown defensive coverages have hampered the defense this year.

The Panthers have the talent, the team chemistry and a somewhat favorable schedule to win their next five games.

The standard for excellence in Eastern football has been set.

Now it’s time for this year’s team to add to it.