Nothing to play for? I just really don't think he was the kind of guy that didn't do his best no matter what was happening. In HS I played with guys that stopped playing their best when we got way down or when we were out of the running and I hated playing with them. In fact I thought they were losers. If Drage really thought about it, I'll bet he'd admit he'd give it his all regardless.
And, honestly, let's say he's right. Then, if the November game is meaningless to BYU it's every bit as meaningless to whoever we're playing, so there is absolutely no competitive disadvantage.