For Kentucky's football program to show it has arrived and can challenge elite Southeastern Conference programs, it needs a big fan turnout for the intrasquad game that ends spring practice.
Alabama has its spring game last Saturday in front of an estimated 84,050 fans - and that was down from last year's game when Tide fans overflowed the stadium to support coach Nick Saban.
Defending national champion Florida got its championship rings before its spring game Saturday.
Star quarterback Tim Tebow took backup John Brantley, who threw for 265 yards and three scores in the game, around Florida Field for a victory lap after the game and got high-fives from some of an estimated 50,000 fans at the game.
LSU, another SEC team with a recent national championship, had overcast weather and drew "only" 30,532 fans.
But look at the turnout Arkansas, a team Kentucky beat last year, and Auburn, a team Kentucky hopes to beat this year, had for their spring games.
Former star running back Darren McFadden was on hand for the Arkansas scrimmage along with about 30,000 other fans. Of course, that was a drop of about 10,000 from last year when fans were a little more excited about coach Bobby Petrino.
Auburn has a new coach in Gene Chizik and new offensive coordinator in Gus Malzahn after long-time coach Tommy Tuberville finally called it quits. A little over 45,000 fans came to see what the Tigers might be like this year.
At Kentucky, a spring game crowd of 20,000 probably would have Brooks excited. But considering all this team has done the last three years and the pride Kentucky fans now have in the football program, wouldn't it be fitting to see a spring game record crowd Saturday even if no one is exactly sure what the biggest crowd has been.
"Our fans have always been great, and we really appreciate that," said senior defensive end Jeremy Jarmon, one of three players who said no to the NFL draft to stay at UK for a final season. "I know it is just a spring game, but we would all be thrilled to see a lot of fans turn out for the game."
There will be a Heart Walk Saturday in which former UK basketball star Mike Pratt has set up a memorial team in honor of his former teammate, Mike Casey, who died recently. That cause alone should help attract more fans to Commonwealth Stadium.
But the main reason UK fans should go is to check out the rising talent on this team. Take a look at speedy linebacker Danny Trevathan. Watch junior college defensive tackle Mark Crawford. See if the receivers have improved. Check out how Randall Cobb has recovered from his November knee injury. Gauge for yourself how good safety Winston Guy could be.
"We really do have a lot of good young players and for some of them this will be their first chance to really play in Commonwealth Stadium," Brooks said. "You know they will want to be at their best."
