In the days in advance of showdowns with ranked teams, with playoff ramifications on the line or even in primetime, journalists often ask athletes whether or not they’re approaching the game any differently. Frequently, the answer is no — that the team can’t worry about outside hype, and instead needs to remain true to its fundamentals.
From a press perspective, one could argue that covering a game should be the same way, with atmosphere or external circumstances not dictating emotions. But, I’d be lying if I said that was the case prior to Northwestern’s Week 12 tilt with Purdue.