Can you not see the difference between a ladder with an elo system and a quick match casual game and the opponents you're paired against? As long as you'll not be able to accept that players in casual games all have different goals and skill levels and that this creates a very specific environment, then yes, you'll be trying to find your way back to the pack. Trying to make casual modes more sweaty or "competitive" is never going to happen unless you get rid of all the casual population, aka, turning it into a ranked ladder.