I remember a super bowl years back when the QB ran for the endzone and gave up his body to take the hit. It seemed to light up the team and they went on to win.
It may have been the Bills QB. ?
Sometimes a team just needs an example from the leaders to play like they want it more than the other team.
When you lose so many juniors and redshirt sophomore leaders to the draft it can leave a tremendous void.
I also remember an Alabama linebacker making the team put down the Gatorade after the SEC Championship win in 2009 against UF, telling the team this is not the championship we are going for.....he was a true alpha, just couldn't shake off his demons once the structure of Saban/college was removed and he was on his on.
It's been said the New England Patriots are very good at team leadership. They seem to be doing something right.
We shall see how the team responds to the loss.