Do not under estimate the economics of this. The Acadiana area shed over 7000 jobs this year but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Those directly in O&G who are still employed have typically taken massive cuts in compensation. So even though they are still employed the disposable income isn't there. I've done some very informal questions to people who own businesses outside of O&G and all consistently discuss a drop in sales between 10 and 20 percent. For many of these people that is a difference between a profit and not breaking even.
Add to that the fact that these same families are trying to piece together Christmas and something like the New Orleans Bowl just isn't in play. I'm definitely in that group. It is a shear economic issue for me. It wouldn't break me but I've got much more pressing issues to address and just can't justify this right now. I know a lot of other people who are in the same boat.
Bottom line is economics is going to keep a lot of people from attending and that is just life. If you are fortunate enough to make it down to New Orleans drink a cold one for me and enjoy the game because it should be a blast.