the 1960s. The game has changed, but the motivation hasn't.
And I doubt very much that players get more excited about affecting a conference race than they do about the idea of winning the game to show they are the better team.
But, hey, maybe you're right. Maybe our players just don't care much after they can't go to a NY6 game. But if that's true, do me a favor and explain the BYU locker room scene after they beat Cal last year.