I think its the mental toll of the season is in these players heads. They see a stadium empty because fans gave up on the team, they listen to a dumbass coach who needs a snickers bar because he is loopy in his words.
When Dale left the program fell. UND had great wins against FCS UNI and FCS SUU in 2006 and 2007. When Muss took over, the program headed back to 1985. (cue Marty McFly).