how to fix that is why the coaches make the "big bucks" (or in BYUs case the "relatively big bucks"). I think many on this board have given several reasons that make sense to me like being beat up and having several tough games in a row etc. These types of things are clearly outside the control of the players and even coaches. However, there are also things that contribute to the "2" on the potential scale that are in direct control of the players and coaches. Examples of this from the Michigan game in my mind are the fact that our receivers were allowing themselves to get physically owned by michigans dbs. We don't have a roster filled with Mitchell juergenes who aren't physically able to combat physical dbs. I would also list play calling on there. In my opinion anae abandoned the run at the beginning of the game even though Hine was picking up respectable yardage. Finally I thought a couple tough calls at the beginning of the game (the Langi roughing the passer comes to mind) really mentally messed with our guys.

I think there are dozens of things that contributed. I'd have to watch the game a few more times to try to identify them all but I can't bring myself to do that.

None of this operates as an excuse in my mind. The coaches have to find out ways to make their team mentally tougher which would do a lot in my mind to rise the performance number on the potential scale.