The box score didn't show Kentucky's biggest problem in week 1

After a lifeless win over Toledo, the disconnect between the team's energy and the fanbase's expectations is the most concerning issue facing the program.

Kentucky got the win over Toledo, and yes, it was ugly. But the most concerning thing about Saturday wasn't the sputtering offense or the occasional coverage bust. It wasn't the historic passing output, which we discussed here. The worst thing about Kentucky's performance couldn't be found anywhere in the box score.

It was the complete lack of juice.

For a program coming off a 4-8 season, hearing all summer they were a 4-win team, and put on Upset Alert at home, they came out with the emotional energy of a Tuesday scrimmage. There was no fire running out of the tunnel. No players pumping up the crowd. After incompletions, players dropped their heads, falling deeper into their shells. This listless performance can't just be blamed on Toledo being a good team, they did get AP top 25 votes. It was a pervasive, team-wide problem lack of energy.

Even after Dante Dowdell's electric 79-yard touchdown run, the stadium had largely emptied. A close game against a quality opponent, and Big Blue Nation was more concerned with beating traffic. That says everything about the current relationship between the fans and this team.

This weekend's "Blue and White Out" against Ole Miss is a critical moment. The fans will show up again, but if the team delivers another lifeless performance and loses a ninth straight home game to a Power Four school, the fanbase may check out for good. As KSR said, the atmosphere needs work. We say it starts on the field. The players have to give the fans a reason to get loud. The juice has to return.

Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time, he spends time with his family, and watching Premier League soccer. Hebrews 11:1. #UpTheAlbion