Looking for excuses: Did the Baton Rouge tragedies kill the team's spirit?

Les Miles and his antiquated system killed their spirit.

Miles killed the teams' spirits

It was the static in the head sets!

Les Miles' outdated offensive philosophy, lack of recruiting in the trenches (4* and 5* depth on the O-line primarily), lack of preparation week in and week out...season after season, and subsequent resulting lack of confidence by the players killed the team's spirit!!!

We don't want excuses. We want change!!

No, that would be Les Miles/ Cam Cameron that did that

It might have. The Sterling situation and the shooting by the sniper, especially. I've seen it at work, it's been a distraction and division to some, even if they handle it well.
It could definitely affect your concentration, and reaction to pressure and coaching criticism, if you're processing that stuff in your mind and trying to figure out if the people yelling at you have your best interests at heart. I'd imagine black college kids might think a lot about that stuff, and even if they're trying to make their own minds up, the bitching from the stands could look a little different.

I think the floods might have pulled the team together, but it might be too little too late.

Excuse U