By Josh Huff

[email protected]

With renovations underway at Commonwealth Stadium, you would be correct in assuming that fewer people are going out of their way to make the trip to UK football games.

Attendance has drastically decreased during the two games UK has played this season. So much so, in fact, that the announced attendance of 51,910 for the Ohio game was the smallest since Joker Philips’ last game in 2012.

What baffles me is that people are not showing up despite the talented team UK head coach Mark Stoops is fielding this season. He has assembled an exciting group with a batch of talented freshmen at its core. Two games into the season, UK has shattered previous records with a dynamic running game and a stout defense. So why are fans not attending games?

The obvious answer could be the initiation of the SEC Network and the lack of a draw for fans. Let’s be honest, Commonwealth Stadium with or without the construction, looks like a skeleton of a stadium that once was. Other SEC stadiums, such as Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium or LSU’s Tiger Stadium, are drenched with tradition, have a rabid fan base and have the looks to boot.

Granted, UK is trying to improve. Decreasing the number of seats to create a more fan-friendly atmosphere is a start. And including new fan interactivity might work to draw more people in, but it’s discouraging to see that even with a successful start to the season, fans would rather stay home and watch the game.

It’s sad to see a nearly empty stadium 30 minutes before kickoff and a partially full stadium at halftime. I’m sure it’s discouraging for Stoops to see the lack of interest, but even I can see the fans’ dissatisfaction, considering the Cats went a combined 4-20 in the past two seasons. Florida State this is not.

But this is the SEC we’re talking about. Last season the conference averaged 75,674 people per game. Alabama set the conference home attendance average record at 101,505. Yes, UK’s attendance increased by 20 percent last year, but attendance at both games this season has been lower than last season’s average. We can blame UK basketball’s success or the innovation of high definition T.V., but regardless, football is supposed to be the most popular sport in America.

Every other team in the SEC has staggering attendance records. Regardless of the game, it is hard to find empty seats in the SEC. In 2013, mediocre to sub-par teams (i.e. Ole Miss and Mississippi State) averaged maximum capacity attendance.

Hopefully this trend at UK will not last. Football really has become America’s sport and if you’re like me, there is nothing better than attending a college football game. UK is in the best conference in the country, with the wildest fans and the deepest traditions. So let’s bring the SEC back to the Bluegrass, and let the rest of the country know that UK isn’t just about basketball.