Spring football games aren’t what they’re used to be. They’re declining in significance, and – in some cases – disappearing.
Nebraska scrapped its spring game this year. So did Ohio State, Southern California and Texas to name a few.
Schools have different reasons for eliminating spring games.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day said the length of the 2024 season, which ended with the Buckeyes claiming a national championship, figured prominently in his decision.
Long seasons also were a factor with Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, who noted that the Longhorns have played 30 games the past two seasons combined after making the College Football Playoff both years.
Missouri is in the process of making much-needed renovations at Memorial Stadium. So, it canceled its spring game this year and next.
Neither the playoffs nor stadium reconstruction had anything to do with Nebraska punting it spring game. Nebraska coach Matt Rhule – apparently in the throes of transfer portal paranoia − even suggested that he didn’t want to showcase his team’s talent for other schools. He said some of his players received “transfer portal offers” after last year’s spring scrimmage.
His explanation caught me off guard since I didn’t realize other programs suddenly were coveting Cornhuskers players. Yes, they did make a bowl game last season, but they also lost to Indiana 56-7, hardly an indicator that they’re stockpiling talent at a 1990s level.
Eventually, perhaps no programs will deem spring games worthwhile. If so, I won’t mourn their passing. In fact, it wouldn’t bother me if spring football were canceled altogether, though I’m sure many coaches would begin twitching uncontrollably at the suggestion.
Injury concerns have contributed to the decreased significance of spring football. Some players are still recovering from the…
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Publish date : 2025-04-13 09:01:00
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