One could also argue that sacred funds are directed by the Lord and anyone who is paying tithing should have faith the funds are being used to further His purposes, which could be using BYU football to further the message.

Both I agree are different issues, but one can argue the parallels. I don't have issue with taxes funding a state school, though I would be more comfortable with those tax dollars only going toward education, not to an athletic department, similar to how tithing is treated by BYU