Let's be honest — no one outside of the Louisville football program expected the Cardinals to be in this position through six games into the 2019 season.

After a 2018 season that was an abomination, some fans and members of the media were wondering if U of L would simply play hard for Scott Satterfield.

For some, the thought of bowl eligibility was as funny as any skit Eddie Murphy will do on Saturday Night Live later this year.

Take A Look Back:Inside Scott Satterfield's plan to rebuild Louisville football from the ground up

Things sure have changed.

Effort seems to be the last thing Satterfield has to worry about with this team and a bowl berth seems more likely.

More On The Cards:Win over Wake Forest shows Louisville's rebuilding project is ahead of schedule

As we wrote this week, Satterfield was just as curious as everyone else about what this season would look like, but after the season opener with Notre Dame, he knew he had a team that could win games.

Through impressive wins and competitive losses, Satterfield has made it clear that whether it's Group of Five or Power Five, the man from Hillsborough, North Carolina can coach football.

Check This Out:Where could Louisville football land in bowl season? We break it down

The excitement is back inside and outside the program, players are even receiving ACC Player of the Week honors, as well.

But is the man that's leading this team worthy of conference coaching recognition?

If the season ended today, the obvious favorite would be Clemson's Dabo Swinney. His undefeated Tigers look like a team that could once again be the last one standing.

The other coaches who could win the award would be Virginia's Bronco Mendenhall, Wake Forest's Dave Clawson and Duke's David Cutcliffe.

The question is, when you look at Satterfield, Swinney, Mendenhall and Cutcliffe, who's record through the first six games of this season is most surprising?

Clemson is the defending national champion riding a 21-game win streak. Virginia and Duke both finished with 8-5 records and won their respective bowl games. Wake Forest had a seven-win season and a bowl victory. Louisville, on the other hand, was one of the worst teams in college football.

Looking Ahead:Louisville still big point-spread underdog against Clemson Tigers

A lot can change from now until the end of the season, but if the award for ACC Coach of the Year was passed out today, Satterfield's year one coaching job at Louisville has to be in the discussion.

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