I don't think the offensive side needs any explanation. On the defensive side, no, I don't have any advanced metrics to back this up, but here's my impression: Yes, there are football-related reasons why his play would help the defense (longer time of possession on offense, opponent average starting field position, etc), but beyond that and even more importantly, I would submit that he was just so important to the team from a leadership and symbolic standpoint, that our mentally weak defense couldn't handle losing him. So while Hill obviously wouldn't have been on the field anyway when the defense was facing Boise St., Nevada, Memphis, etc., I do think they didn't play as well because he was lost for the season.

As much as our defense showed huge red flags even during the 4-0 start, and then even more so in the first quarter of the Utah State game with Hill still playing, it really felt to me like the defense gave up on the season and the coaches (I'm sure unconsciously) as soon as Hill went down. I remember at half time of that game thinking that the season was already over, AND WE HADN'T EVEN LOST THAT GAME YET. We were still undefeated even as I thought that. My theory is the defense, as much as they may have still outwardly been trying and saying the right things, felt like the season was over at that point as well (if they were unhappy or unmotivated playing for Howell it may have just tipped the scales too far). Hill going down was just that demoralizing of a loss. In fact, it's a credit to them and to Stewart and Bronco, I think, that they were able to piece things back together a little bit at the end (see Harvey Jackson's letter) rather than just mail it in altogether.

Having a mentally weak defense falls on the coaches to a large extent (if not completely). It seemed like the defense last year maybe hadn't bought in to the point where they were willing to fight through the first sign of adversity (be it injuries on offense or defense or surrendering a big play). Sure, we'd lost some play makers on that side of the ball, and there was some inexperience, but remember how highly touted the secondary was coming into the season? I don't think the talent level was materially less than in years past, I just don't think they'd bought in or were mentally tough. I'm cautiously optimistic about Bronco's return to the defense for that reason alone. Here's hoping we don't lose Hill again and have to find out.