If we’re being honest, bulletin board material probably isn’t as much of an influencer as media and fans make it out to be.
Of course we can point to specific quotes when particular things happen (say a player goes off), but there’s an entire universe of quotes that made no change to the expected results of a game (e.g., Iowa’s Anderson “saw a lot of opportunity” against our secondary, their passing game sucked but we still lost- not like it really changed the game to our favor there).
Uh... no.
Missouri and UAB used to hang negative press clippings in the locker rooms when Pinkel was there and they would play radio clips of people doubting them to the players during practice, warm ups and the summer. This from a buddy of mine who was a SA at Mizzou and GA and assistant at UAB. This was when Pinkel was at Mizzou.
So bulletin board material = totally a thing.
And giving that they got embarrassed the last time up here, are in a national title hunt and are scary good, they don't need anything extra and now? Now they have more motivation.
Also, not to be a downer, we need to be realistic. Texas 100% has the chance and ability to boat race us.
Do I think they will? Maybe? But this idea that the only way they blow us out is if we're too pumped... not quite. They are that good. I hate Texas but they actually look like they are back.
I'd sell whatever's left of my soul for a victory. I'd sell it twice if we managed to boat race Texas WHICH I ALSO THINK has a small chance of happening. But I am trying to be grounded and not let myself think with my heart because when I watch Texas, I usually end up saying WOW. They arguably should have beat Oklahoma, and that game with OU was not entirely close.