I don't see anything in the OP about the talk of NC being the root cause of our issues.

And, honestly, if you think talking about NCs is the cause of BYUs 'average' record, I think you're wrong. IMO, it hasn't affected the program at all except give people who are desperately looking for something concrete to blame Mendenhall on a chance to whine. I honestly think if he hadn't said he wanted to win a NC, folks like you would be busting on him for having low expectations. It's really just a very lame criticism.