That must be why the prior game nearly ended in a fight, because these two teams roast marshmallows and sing kumbaya by the camp fire every weekend?
Like the individuals off the field, whatever, but you ought to hate the team and if the second you step on the field / court / etc you don't instantly want to (but don't ever actually do it please) start throwing world peace elbows, you are lacking intensity.
The one thing that separated Michael Jordan from every NBA player, and maybe athlete, ever was that EVERY game he felt that way. He didn't want to just beat you, he wanted to dominate you. He hated you. If his team was up 30 at half, he wanted to beat you by 80 in the end. He didn't want to be the opponents friend, and he (pardon the phrase) went for the kill every single game.
If you can't feel that way for even a rivalry game, just quit playing.
It's a competition, save the rainbows and butterfly's and love for other things (granted, there are things bigger than sports that can change this) but the thought while playing football of all sports, should not be, Gosh, those Badgers are some swell fellas, I sure hope we all try hard and get some really sweet participation trophies!
If the Badgers truly don't "hate" the Gophers and don't bring any extra intensity to play us, I sure hope we do, because once the talent gap gets closer you will begin to see how more fire, more intensity, and more will can win games. Imagine if a Duke player said UNC was just another ACC opponent ... They'd be blasted for years.