Back in the day, Nebraska was one of the few teams on TV every week. This made it a destination for kids. Now, you can watch anybody on TV...I can watch Washburn, Emporia St, Fort Hays, Pitt St. every week if I want to?!?
Nebraska doesn't have an advantage over K-State...Manhattan is a great college town! Lincoln is a city that is very cool if you are from Nebraska. The thing that hurts Nebraska University is that it is IN Nebraska. Same thing that hurts K-State and KU is they are in Kansas.
It was nice when Nebraska was good. I just don't think they will ever return back to being great every year for a decade. They can put a few classes together and make a run to 10 wins and then will be back in the pack hoping to make a bowl.