But it really is the weirdest thing. Go back and look at the week before Fall Break dating back many years (including the Holtz era). Somehow, we just don't show up anywhere near our best during this specific week.
I can't say with certainty that it's due to midterm exams, the pending week off causing the team to dial back their focus, etc. I have no idea. But we really do have a letdown on this week most seasons, with one of the most famous being Air Force 1996.