I agree. I don't think the problem is any one thing. Yes, there are other games in town, and the Vikings, Twins, etc. are more popular. But there are also millions more people within an hour of the campus then Iowa City or Madison. The basketball team is not effected by the Timberwolves, they still sell out most non-cupcakes. 40 years of playing in a meaningful Bowl Game is reason #1 IMO. Gopher football for too many people is just something you turn on Saturday afternoon after you're done raking the leaves or mowing the lawn to pass the time.
I would be interested to see what would happen if we ever get to the Rose Bowl. The following season every game would sell out. The bandwagon would be full. But if we followed that up with an Outback and an Insight Bowl, how long would that last? Would it stick? It did for the basketball team. Is it simply the difference between needing 15,000 for a sellout instead of 51,000? Or is there more to it?