In some ways, I agree with you. However, I think we all understand that it is impossible for a professional baseball player who plays 160+ games per year with 4 at-bats each, to get "fired up" for each at bat. We also agree that no professional NBA player gets "fired up" for every possession of every game. That is why we have load management and some players mail it in for an at-bat in the 8th inning when their team is up or down 6 runs or in the 4th quarter of a back-to-back NBA game.

So at what point does it go from being okay to have highs and lows for 82 basketball games, but not for 12 football games?

I am into weight lifting and do Orange Theory Fitness 5 times a week. It is impossible for your body to have a perfect workout every time. My personal rule is to never have two bad workouts in a row. If one day I'm feeling sluggish, then I always summon the strength and mental focus to have a strong workout the next day (sometimes aided with an energy drink or pre-workout). The fact that you are playing in front of 65K plus fans is relevant but every BYU home game is like that and I don't think that this game was easier to get up for than Baylor (for example). And couldn't you argue that on the road, it is even easier to get fired up with all of the opposing fans yelling at you?

The secret to good coaching is to get the best out of each individual player for the maximum amount of games. Coaching players is like parenting kids, some respond better in big games, some get nerves and are worse. You have to find out how to push their buttons correctly and get them excited by challenging them or alternatively calm them down depending on their personality.

If BYU was going to have a less than stellar effort in a game, you would want it to be USU or Utah Tech, because you can still get the W. If BYU comes out flat against Notre Dame or Arkansas then it is a different issue.