Lost the fear factor?

In sports, having a psychological advantage is huge. Call it "getting the bluff" on the opposition. If they go into the contest with doubt in their minds, the battle is half over. We had a three-game lead on the field going into the final App State game. We would have had a seven-game winning streak going into the tournament, with considerable discussion of us as an at-large team in the NCAA tournament. Then we lost to one of the weakest teams in the league. Now we are beatable. Now we can be had. Now we are just another very good mid-major team. Now whatever doubt there might have been (if any) in the other folks' minds is gone. Now our momentum is completely gone. Expensive loss, in more ways than just the standings.