The Steamers coaching staff has spent much of the week keeping the rampant enthusiasm under control, though they did juggle trainings early in the week in the face of barrage of niggling injuries.
Those injuries ruled wing Anthony Tahana (calf) and reserve hooker Simon Chisholm (hamstring) out of tomorrow's match, although Mike Delany and Tajhon Mailata came through fitness tests.
Bell maintains they haven't been doing anything differently this week - just tweaking the same moves that have helped them win six consecutive matches.
And he's not daunted by Auckland coach Pat Lam having the luxury of selecting 12 current or former All Blacks in his lineup.
``It could be disruptive although Pat's been pretty wise in bringing them back slowly. Now he's got the full complement, they've got more pressure on them than we do and everything to lose.
``Two years ago we took the Ranfurly Shield off them in Auckland. Anything can happen - the bounce of the ball or a referee's decision - we're hoping they will go our way.''
The lapse into sudden death after 10 baffling rounds of Air New Zealand Cup preliminaries also brings Super 14 contracts sharply into focus.
Bell has been impressed with his squad's refusal to dwell on anything past tomorrow's match but it may be the last time players get the chance to impress Chiefs coach Ian Foster.
Five Bay players can virtually start looking for flats in Hamilton over summer.
Props Ben Castle and Simms Davison and halfback Jamie Nutbrown will be near-certainties in the starting lineup, while Foster has  soft spots for incumbent wing Anthony Tahana and flanker Tanerau Latimer.
Tahana has indicated he's likely to stick around next year regardless and has just re-signed with the NZRU, while Latimer's hopes of returning to the Crusaders for another year would depend on a law change by the Super 14 governing body.
But Foster is also likely to delve into the draft for another midfielder, hoping to scoop another Blues reject like Sam Tuitupou.
That's likely to hinder Cory Aporo's chances of making it, although the perilous depths in the Highlanders midfield could be the opening he needs.
The critical selection for Bay of Plenty will be at lock, where Mark Sorenson is in the best form of his life but faces a lengthy list of fellow contenders.
Bell is in no doubt that Sorenson has done enough - he just hopes Foster has been watching the tapes.
``Since the injury to Bernie Upton, Mark Sorenson has taken over that leadership role in the lineouts. We've asked him to be more effective around the field in terms of hitting rucks and he's really responded.''
Unless Foster goes to the draft, it's also likely he will promote one of the Steamers first-fives - Mike Delany or Murray Williams - into the rarefied air of the Super 14.
Delany impressed early for the Bay but Williams has come back well from a dismal start.
It leaves three loosies - Nili Latu, Colin Bourke and Warren Smith - to compete with the glut of Waikato talent like Sione Lauaki, Liam Messam, Steven Bates and Marty Holah.
Tajhon Mailata could also be a possibility given the NZRU investment in bringing him back from Australia, while John Pareanaga could be an outside chance at hooker.
All of which will mean little if the Steamers can't make Auckland sit up and take notice at Eden Park tomorrow.
Bell has no doubts - he stops and squints at the bright sun flooding into Blue Chip Stadium, and repeats again, this time with a little more steel in his voice.
``We're not going to lie down.''
You get the feeling he's serious. 

Story with thanks to the Bay of Plenty Times