So I agree with you. The players aren't into this anything more than it's an opportunity. like last season, for them to upset a Big XII team.
The fans...on the other hand...yes. It's different for them. If you remember, the AD at the time, when BYU went independent, swore Wyoming would never play BYU again. They didn't seem to feel that way toward Utah, who also left them behind, but only BYU for having left the MWC.