I don't think it's a matter of nerdiness. You're right: there were PLENTY of nerds back in the day. I remember being appalled that my sister's boyfriend was studying his physics homework at the BYU-Washington game in 1999. What I've noticed with today's generation of students is that the ones who are really into BYU sports are REALLY into them. But unfortunately I've been disappointed by how many students are altogether apathetic about BYU sports. I don't think this is due to nerdiness as much as it's a consequence of students having a lot more choices in terms of how they entertain themselves than in the past. BYU athletics no longer is the only show in town.