Tracking canceled college football spring games

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule sparked a trend in early February. Entering his third season with the Cornhuskers, Rhule decided to call off the program’s spring game because of a rise in tampering following Nebraska’s scrimmage a year ago.

Since his decision, a handful of college football programs across the country have called off their spring games, citing different reasons. It remains to be seen what spring game formats will look like for programs with scheduled dates. Michigan held the first spring game open to the public in May 1925. The scrimmages have become a revenue driver, packing stadiums.

On3 is tracking which Power Four college football programs are calling off their 2025 spring games. Here’s the breakdown:

Alabama: Kalen DeBoer is planning for a modified spring game, he told On3. Entering his second season with the Crimson Tide, the A-Day Game is scheduled for April 12 but isn’t expected to be a regular scrimmage.

Arizona: A source told On3 that Arizona will not hold a traditional spring game. The Wildcats have dubbed it a spring showcase, scheduled for Saturday, April 19.

BYU: The Cougars did not hold a spring game in 2024 and have not announced any plans for this spring.

Florida State: The Seminoles have called off their 2025 spring game due to ongoing renovations of  Doak Campbell Stadium. Fans will get their first look at the new stadium when Florida State hosts Alabama on Aug. 30.

Iowa: A source tells On3 that the Hawkeyes are not expected to host a traditional spring game. Iowa has yet to announce a date for an event.

Minnesota: Similar to BYU, the Golden Gophers did not hold a spring game last year, and no plans for a 2025 version have been announced.

Missouri: Mizzou head football coach Eli Drinkwitz announced the Tigers will not hold a spring game in 2024 or 2026. The annual tradition will not happen for the next two years because of the construction on the north side of Memorial Stadium.

NC State: Head coach Dave Doeren decided to close all 15 NC State spring practices to the public and will not host a spring game. He cited the change in both play-callers with offensive coordinator Kurt Roper and defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot configuring their systems as a main reason why the Pack will not allow fans or media to see a glimpse of the new-look roster this spring. 

Nebraska: Matt Rhule has called off a 2025 spring game, citing that players received offers from other programs to enter the transfer portal during the spring window after the game. Because of that amount of tampering, he wondered if it made sense to play and broadcast a traditional spring scrimmage.

Ohio State: Due to the length of the Buckeyes’ schedule, Ryan Day has called off this year’s spring game. Ohio State has not yet decided what the format will be for its spring showcase, which replaces the program’s traditional spring game or intrasquad scrimmage.

Ole Miss: Ole Miss will have its second edition of the “Grove Bowl Games,” which included a slam dunk contest to a hot dog eating competition featuring Joey Chestnut a year ago.

Texas: Steve Sarkisian announced the Longhorns will not have a scrimmage this spring, citing the wear and tear of playing 30 games over the last two seasons when Texas twice advanced to the College Football Playoff.

USC: The Trojans will not hold a scrimmage this spring due to the risk of injury and more important uses for financial resources.