there was a budding rivalry forming. While no Ute fan or USC fan viewed Utah as a top rivalry, only completely biased and ignorant people would suggest that one wasn't forming. Last year, it was the game many USC players - including Caleb Williams - circled. Caleb even put something like "f**k Utah" on his fingernails.
Yes, the USC-Utah game meant more to Utah fans. But it definitely took on some meaning and importance to many USC fans in the last two years.