I've tried to be responsible and credible and when I have something to say I remember the principle "it's not what you say but how you say it."
My opinion on this matter is based on three things: 1. The eye test (which you might call inference) 2. Facts (things that have happened this season on the field, what happened yesterday. 3. Some discussions with people who know people and discussions with friends (one who is a Mod here).
So, I've hinted at my suspicion the players didn't exactly play with all their heart for either Buchner or Simpson. That's based on all three of the things listed above.
1. What I saw was one of the worst defensive teams in college football looking like the 85 Bears. I watched half-butt efforts to block their OL. I watched OL not help up their QB who just got sacked because they just got beat. I watched our starting RB whiff on a block that got Simpson hit in the back that looked like he should be on the scout team (it's interesting he didn't play much after that and Roydell was the featured back down the stretch). Now, will the team, the LT or RB ever come out and say "Yeah, we decided we'd not play with 100% effort because we didn't want Buchner/Simpson to be the QB?" Of course not...at least not for a long time, but how else do we explain what we saw???
2. The "facts" of what happened or came to light yesterday are mind-numbing. It was revealed yesterday that Jalen was punished for a bad attitude (that's why he sat out of the game), there was a team meeting (about unity), and there was a PC in which CNS announced the player he punished is now the starter. Not only is this the first time I can ever remember CNS tipping his hat to another coach on what he's planning to do on a Monday, but a day after the players had a unity meeting he reinstates what appeared (before these things happened) to be the #3 QB!?!?. These matters, as far we know, happened; they are facts. How do we just ignore them and act as if this is normal for a Bama and CNS team?
3. Finally, people who know people who hear things who have a record of being right have indicated something was amiss Saturday. I won't repeat the exact words I was told, but they believe there was an intentional, apathetic effort giving by some of the players. Add to that there are media people like Ryan Fowler and Josh Pater (who have good reputations) who raised questions about these matters. And a friend that I trust that I talk Bama football with regularly, believes something is off too.
You don't have to agree. It'll never be "confirmed." But since you seem to be asking why I feel how I feel, thems the reasons.