beginning of the season. We were picked at the bottom of the B12. Our QB was picked at the bottom. Our O and D lines both felt disrespected last year.

They all said they had something to prove this season. Then, as Deion said to his team after they lost to Kansas, they "started believing the praise". They started buying in to their own greatness. Without that edge, that chip on their shoulders, they lacked a purpose and it showed on the field.

Having something to prove drives greatness. Michael Jordan was so good at it that he would make up reasons he felt disrespected and would let those reasons drive him.