I live in Louisiana, and the reasons you mentioned are why I watched the Astros game last night.
I bet they didn't get through two minutes the whole game without mentioning Katrina, and that's all we ever hear down here anyway, it really gets tiring.
I was also turned off by the bands and hype- it's a football game, for crying out loud!
Anyway---LET'S GO 'STROS!
Geaux Tigers (Detroit that is!)