assumptions and expectations are off the charts.  For people inside and outside the church, BYU students/alumni  are supposed to more "moral" and "spiritual" than students/alumni  of other institutions. We aren't.  We are often prideful and stupid, at least I am.  It very easy for a religious people or institution to make enemies, especially when we lack humility.  The average person can be prideful and he is just dismissed as a pain in the... but a prideful religious person is a hypocrite.  And no one likes those! 

There is an assumption of arrogance and backwardness that makes it difficult for the average joe to connect with.  That is the reason that BYU athletics is a NECESSARY facet of the BYU experience.  We, like everyone else, must learn humility when we are victorious (in athletics or in life) and when we struggle (like we are with football right now).  We need a real story that people on the street can connect with.  We are busy learning that story right now.