Some people like movies and will watch any movie. For them, there really isn't a "bad" movie. Sure, some are better than others. But when they hear people say that a movie wasn't worth watching, they don't get it. They watch them all. They enjoy them all - to a certain extent. Again - some are better than others. Some get watched repeatedly more than others. But they just enjoy movies and aren't too picky about it.

Other people like GOOD movies. Whatever their definition of "good" is. They want good actors, good directors, good storyline, good cinematography, good lighting and sound, good music. If the movie is "bad" in any of those areas, they don't enjoy the movie. It isn't entertaining to them.

Try looking at football the same way.

Some people like football - any football. They'll watch it all. I'm actually one of those guys. I'll watch games between two FCS teams on Tuesday night if it's on TV. I just like football. I don't necessarily enjoy blow-outs, but I don't mind seeing teams struggle at times.

Some people like GOOD football. They aren't entertained by BAD football. And GOOD football (for them) is defined by effective offense and defense. By definition, teams that play good football are going to win games. Maybe not EVERY game - but if they are playing good football they'll probably win more than they lose.

Good football isn't defined by the offensive system. Good football is defined by effectively executing plays within whatever system it is the team is using - be that option run heavy offense or air raid pass heavy offense. Both can be beautiful and entertaining to watch when well executed. For these people - both can also be excruciatingly painful to watch if not well executed.

It isn't as simple as saying "do you find football to be entertainment". Because for these people, the answer is "it depends". Good football - yes. Bad football - no.

Maybe movies is a bad example. Let's talk music instead. I may find orchestra music entertaining. I may truly enjoy listening to live orchestra music. I may be willing to pay a lot to go to the finest orchestra regularly. There may be musicians who mess up while playing now and then - they aren't all perfect all the time. But the music is good and I enjoy it, so that is where I spend my entertainment dollar.

But no matter how much I love orchestra music - I'm not going to spend an evening at the Jr High listening to their beginning orchestra try to scrape through whatever song it is they're playing. As much as I might love orchestra music, I don't love that.

Some people are entertained by good football where players execute plays - and it looks beautiful to them, while not being entertained or willing to watch bad football where players stumble all over themselves and are unable to effectively execute the plays.

Now - you spent a LOT of time in your post talking about simply enjoying the game, win or lose, and detaching from things emotionally. Quite frankly - to a degree I agree with you. But people aren't fans because they don't care about the team winning or losing. Sure - some people take it too far. I think a lot of folks here on CB take it too far. More than once when someone has gotten upset and said they have to take a break from BYU sports - I've told them I agree with them. "If you're really emotionally invested to that degree and it impacts you that much - please take a step back for your own mental health."

Finally - I get enjoying the game for the game. This whole time I'm simply trying to explain that because you can - doesn't mean everyone approaches it the same way you do. I suspect that if BYU didn't win another game over the next 10 years even you would have your interest wane as far as BYU football is concerned (though you may continue to watch). These folks aren't saying they don't like watching football games. And they aren't saying that it's only entertaining when BYU wins - nothing else matters. (at least most aren't) But there is an element of "if my team has been performing so poorly that I have no hope that they will win the game - I'm not entertained and I'm not going to watch."

Back to my wife for a minute - because you'll love this. She enjoys watching BYU football. But she doesn't enjoy watching them lose. She would actually prefer to watch a DVR'd game KNOWING the final score than watch the game live. And she won't watch a recorded game with me unless she KNOWS they are going to win. Kind of like her Hallmark Channel Christmas Movies - she wants the happy ending. She isn't going to waste her time on a movie/football game that doesn't give her one.