On Saturday, September 27, 2008, 90,106 fans in “The Swamp” and millions of TV viewers watched the favored Florida Gators lose to underdog Ole Miss 31 to 30. The nation’s fourth-ranked team was defeated by the unranked Mississippi Rebels. Only two days earlier, on Thursday night the nation’s top-ranked team, USC had lost to another unranked team, Oregon State.
Clearly, the Gators and the Trojans had the superior “weapons”. Both highly ranked teams have an abundance of talent and depth. Both had THE reason to win: remain in the hunt for a national title. Both wanted to win and expected to win. But, as Florida’s junior Heisman winning quarterback, Tim Tebow said after the defeat, “We felt like we were a better team, and we didn’t play up to our ability.”
I believe both upsets and many sports losses can be described in one simple phrase, “The loser just didn’t play up to their ability.” Motivation was lacking. There is a Hog Law that says, “Talent without motivation will lose to non-talent with motivation.”
On paper the superior teams were the Florida Gators and USC Trojans. On the field—where it counts—the Mississippi Rebels and the Oregon Beavers proved to be the superior teams. The two losing teams lost due to failure to play up to their ability. The two winning teams won because they were motivated to win and played to their ability.
I don’t know much about ranking football teams or players, but given the choice, I know I would choose a team or player with talent and motivation. Forced to choose between the two, I choose the motivated team and motivated player. Motivation is the magic.
HOG THOUGHT:
Don't tell people how good you and your company are. Tell people how good you and your company can make them.
HOG QUOTE:
"Money was never a big motivation for me, except as a way to keep score. The real excitment is playing the game." —Donald Trump
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