I’ve seen Kalani’s passion and fire, we’ve heard players passion and fire (including but not limited to Batty on Saturday), we know J Hill and other coaches bring the fire and passion. So, I believe that a lot of that is saved for closed room meetings but it happens and happens as frequently as it does at other schools. When the room isn’t closed, there is some PR talk that happens—but I don’t believe that public behind the scenes sneak peek is how it always is when the doors are closed. Just remember, even with Kalani’s speech at Utah after the game, we also saw Batty sitting on top of the lockers playing the drums—certainly they reveled in the win pretty good too.

Batty’s speech would never have been known without the secret recording. No one said anything about it prior to the video surfacing. That in part tells me that’s because it’s common—even if we don’t get a secret video every time it’s done. Common sense about knowing sports, the competitive nature especially to get to the collegiate level, etc. would tell you that level of fire happens regularly even at BYU.

And, if I saw Batty or Kalani or Hill or (you name them) in the temple the next day I would have 0 thoughts cross my mind about it. My eyebrows didn’t raise at all when I heard the video.

So I think Drake is right when he says this fire and passion is normal and acceptable and needed in college football, but I think he’s wrong when he says it doesn’t happen at BYU—I think it does happen and regularly but behind closed doors.

If the team needs the killer instinct, it’s not because they lack passionate speeches, it’s some other element that builds that mindset they need. It’s a united purpose to prove something—not just raw raw speeches. For example, when they were out to prove the world wrong the first 8 games, they probably had more to rally around unitedly.