Seems to me more that they play not to lose and afraid of consequences. And when big games happen tha ts a recipe to get owned. You play loose and well until you get tense.
Classic difference between winners and losers. We roll over and die when we get punched in the mouth.
Systemically its very similar to the problem our football team had inthe 80s. Part of that you fix with better personnel and we have done better with that to a certain extent.
We need some parellas and peter bros and a ton more competitors. Good and great teams BEAT teams they play. Beat them so bad submission isn't a thought. Even if they lose they leave a mark.
Case in point. 24-10. That wasn't a football score.
We've had so many "big" games in the last decade with zero or one run I've lost count. Throw in pitching that's hit or miss at best and you can see why people question the direction of the program