Those two things are certainly not logically connected. Many fans are realistic not delusional. After five years of losing, and no championships in a generation, you say people should not care anymore?
85000 attend games regularly but many many of those don’t quit going simply because they don’t think the team will. Most NU fans are NOT fair weather and or bandwagon fans. Hence, selling so many tickets for 50 plus years. Until the last 5 years. People, including my father, also a Husker law grad, bought season tickets in the 1950s and early 60s when losing was also as frequent as today. They viewed the $ as a donation to boost the team and keep the program alive.
I have been a donor since 1984, and even give now, without getting tickets. Although I have bought 10 tickets for the Sept games for myself and my kids and grandkids. We will be excited to go and cheer loudly, win or lose. We all love the alma mater / Big Red and always will. That doesn’t change whether we expect to win or not. We hate to be embarrassed of course but in our hearts and minds, we believe winning will return.