Sure, fan speak stands to have little impact, as fans don't block, tackle, score points, etc.

OTOH, the guys who are on the team have made it abundantly clear that they absolutely pick up on the outside noise. A cocky fanbase will get noticed by them. What bearing it has is an open question. I think this team is pretty dialed in on its approach to game prep and will do so again leading up to Utah.

Rivalry games are just different. This one is unusual. The team that has nearly always won of late is circling the drain. They and their fanbase will hang their season on being able to pull off the home field upset vs. the team they usually beat...but just happens to have had the far superior season.

I don't think I can recreate this circumstance or any that really resembles it in the multiple decades I've been following this matchup.

I expect a huge battle, but I think it's one we can and should win. Hopefully going away, but more than likely, this one will be contested until the end.