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.

Auburn: The Tigers announced that their annual A-Day Spring football game will instead “look more like a traditional practice” at Jordan-Hare Stadium this year. The April 12th event will still be open to the public and will begin at 11 am CT with an alumni flag football game and a Tiger Walk at 11:30 am. The A-Day practice will start at noon CT and run for an hour, according to the release.

Boston College: The Eagles plan to close spring practice to the public and will now have a public scrimmage.

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

Cal: The Golden Bears will have a spring showcase on Saturday, April 12, which is open to the public. No plans for a typical spring game have been announced.

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.

Illinois: Illinois won’t have a televised spring game this year because of construction. Bret Bielema told ESPN that his players will go through the same type of format at whatever big scrimmage it has at the end of the spring.

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.

Michigan State: Head coach Jonathan Smith announced on March 18 that the program will not hold a spring game in 2025.

“There was multiple factors in not having a spring game but we really want to take advantage of all 15 of the spring practices and I think this is the best way we can do it,” Smith said.

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.

North Carolina: North Carolina announced its 15-practice spring schedule with no plans for a spring game. General manager Michael Lombardi said the program does not plan to hold a spring game in 2025.

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.

Oklahoma: Instead of a traditional scrimmage at the end of spring practice, Oklahoma is holding a “Crimson Combine” on Saturday, April 12, where fans will have a chance to engage with players and coaches. The event will feature Oklahoma players and coaching staff members participating in combine-style drills, skills challenges, on-field fan engagement activities, autographs and photo opportunities.

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.

UCF: UCF will allow fans to attend two of its 15 spring football practice sessions but will not hold a traditional spring game.

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