The link is back to my rewards-based versus evaluative model for sports fans, and today and yesterday are perfect examples of what I was talking about, fans talking at cross-purposes with each other.

But it's actually worse than I made it sound, and I didn't see that until I watched my own reactions to the games yesterday (football and basketball).

If I actually want to be happy, I should do this: when BYU loses, take an evaluative model, look for things BYU did well and might improve on, especially if there are more games to play. When BYU wins, take a results model and bank the thrill of victory, especially if there are NO more games to play.

What I do, instead, is often this: when BYU loses, take a results model ("nothing matters unless you win"). When BYU wins, take an evaluative model and remind everyone how bad the opposition is, how Lasike, of all people, should know when a ball is live, etc.

I'm going to do better, starting with this post. BYU had nothing to play for, but played like they were the ones that had to have the win. Leslie was outstanding. Stewart, save two plays (one of which he got away with by being sacked instead), was terrific - not just good, but terrific. The bombs to Leslie could not have been thrown better by anyone. He took shots deep over the middle. He threw lasers to the sidelines. He was a BYU quarterback, all the way, full stop. The defense, Heaven bless them, made four stops in a row - and good ones, too, with tight coverage and excellent discipline, when they had to (and honestly, every time the game threatened to get away). The playcalling was varied and complex and worked. It was a fun, fun game.

Others can do what they will. I have no wish to call out anyone that cares about BYU sports, however they do it. But for me, I'm going to be happier about it.