I think this has been discussed before, but kids dream of going to the local STATE school, typically with a winning tradition. As a private institution Cuse fandom is relegated to CNY and alumni. Cuse football barely registers anywhere in NYS unless you fall into one of those two groups. People don’t really have affinity towards SU if they didn’t go there? I know there are many exceptions to that, which can be seen on this board, for example, but local affinity isn’t anywhere near what it is for, say, residents of Pennsylvania who worship Penn St or Ohioan's who are a cult for OSU.
Sure, there are exceptions to this too, such as Notre Dame and USC, but those schools have their own unique traditions, which include winning a lot and, in NDs case, it’s own place in the history of Americana (working class Catholics etc).
Speaking of Catholics, I don’t think there are many local Mass kids who grow up dreaming of playing for BC either. Maybe a handful, but not many. Same could be said for Wake, others, etc.
If we won more, sure, Cuse would attract more interest locally and throughout NYS, but we are far from the dominant college football brand in our region unfortunately. And, as a private school, we are inherently “exclusive” rather than inclusive of statewide fandom.
I think there are multiple factors that play a part in this. Just thought I’d mention this aspect.