(Entering late to the thread)
I guess on paper the game is 'less important' but as stated, it will always mean something more (to the fans anyway) to get that win than any other on the schedule. The good thing as a fan is that media opinions or stats don't truly impact the inner-excitement of a rivalry game or make it less meaningful of a game to look forward to, even if the weight of the win isn't as powerful as it once was with the rematch possibility.
For me, I get excited and more amped up for many games that don't seem to have national/major importance in the standings anyway. Like in the NFL, the Texans and Cowboys play against eachother sometimes (almost always in preseason, it seems) and it doesn't have much of any impact on the teams' conference standings, but it sure as hell is one of the most fiery & fun games to watch in these parts, even if the results are pretty meaningless overall.
As long as I'm still having fun as a fan, and the games are as intense as they always have been, it is not much bother to me if others perceive the RRR as diminished importance as it once was, and will always remain a strong rivalry game no matter the level of talent the teams field against eachother.
