Kalani Sitake's philosophy of easing off opponents late in games may be sportsmanlike, but it could cost BYU in the College Football Playoff era, *Salt Lake Tribune* columnist Gordon Monson argues.

Sitake has a well-documented practice of pulling starters and running conservative plays once BYU builds a comfortable lead, a decision rooted in his belief that embarrassing opponents is wrong. But playoff selection committees increasingly weigh margin of victory and strength of schedule, metrics that reward teams running up scores against overmatched opponents.

The column raises a question now facing several programs with similar coaching philosophies: whether traditional sportsmanship survives in a system that algorithmically values blowouts. BYU entered the AP Top 10 this week at No. 9 after beating Colorado State 41-23, a game where Sitake's Cougars dominated but did not maximize their margin.