Not everyone is you.
It's not a matter of gullibility either, chief. Doesn't matter who manufactured it or why, over the past 20 years NU vs. CU has produced some nailbiter games, some painful blowouts and some games of national signifigance. Nobody in the Big 12 North comes close in terms of memorable games.
Of course you could go back 40 years to make your case. But that would be kinda stupid.
It is a matter of gullability, Indian, because you're biting on a line dangled in front of your face. It's artificial - you said so yourself. So you're willing to hang on an artificial "rivalry" created because one coach decided he needed to boost his program, then perpetuated when a new conference needed to artificially generate interest in their new product. You swallowed it all: hook, line and sinker, and now you're trying to justify it. Sorry, you're still the same sucker W.C. Fields counted on 100 years ago. What minute were you born?
Then, you asked the question, and I quote, "...doesn't it feel a bit better beating Colorado than Baylor?" I answered it. Don't get your panties in a twist because I didn't give the answer you were hoping for.
And I don't have to go back 40 years to make my case. I just need to go back to the last four years - where we've won three out of four, the game meant nothing in relation to national standing, winning the conference, winning the division, or anything greater than beating Iowa State or Kansas State meant, and yet, because someone said it's a "rivalry," you're following along.
KSU has produced, over the last 20 years, some "nailbiter games," games of "national significance," and some "painful blowouts." But, because nobody on either side of the game has told you it's a "rivalry," you ignore the fact that there has been similar significance.
You can do what you're told if that makes you happy. Me, I'm going to think for myself. This isn't a rivalry. It never has been. Maybe someday it will be, and if it is, I'll be there to embrace it.