What I wonder about is if UK did become a major player in college football - win the SEC east, or at least put together back to back major bowl appears how would it change the complexion of the fan base in the state? I'm sure round ball would still have enormous support, but football would IMO start to see similar numbers and enthusiasm.
I never realized it until I live outside the state but basketball and football are not viewed equally by most people. Football has probably 4 - 5 times the fan base size. To be be honest basketball is more of a regional sport popular in certain pockets of the country, but football is more the national sport. A football championship is a much, much bigger prize than a basketball national championship.