Spring Game Against Old Foes Instead of Team Scrimmages

[peder]

I've always thought this would be a great idea, and it sounds like it's starting to gain some traction:

Dabo Swinney’s plan to revolutionize college football

Clemson’s Dabo Swinney is one of college football’s biggest advocates for the NCAA permitting a spring scrimmage against another team.

We’ve always endorsed the idea for three reasons: It would further enhance the enormous popularity of college football, it would give players and fans something to look forward to during the middle of the offseason, and most importantly it would generate much-needed revenue for college athletic departments struggling in the tough economy. Or proceeds could be donated to charity.


UGA vs. Clemson.
Texas A&M vs. Texas
Georgia Tech vs. Alabama
Oklahoma vs. Nebraska
Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech
Penn State vs. Pittsburgh
Auburn vs. FSU

http://blogs.ajc.com/recruiting/2012...lege-football/

I think the greatest potential here is to play teams we no longer can due to conference realignment. How about some games against our old foes from the Big 8? no reason we couldn't schedule Oklahoma/KU/Mizzou/etc.

As the article points out, offseason games are already common in other sports like volleyball and basketball, so this isn't a very controversial or new idea.

I would only make one tiny suggestion: let teams play 2 spring games, so that they can get a home and away game. The NCAA rule could be very simple: teams are allowed to play 1 home and 1 away game during the Spring, and the teams can figure out who and when they play and under what rules.

[HuttoHusker]

I'm on the fence on this one, on one hand it sounds great just because..and on the other hand I can see it being a risk for injury

[Greatest Fan of All]

I've always thought this would be a great idea, and it sounds like it's starting to gain some traction:

Dabo Swinney’s plan to revolutionize college football



http://blogs.ajc.com/recruiting/2012...lege-football/

I think the greatest potential here is to play teams we no longer can due to conference realignment. How about some games against our old foes from the Big 8? no reason we couldn't schedule Oklahoma/KU/Mizzou/etc.

As the article points out, offseason games are already common in other sports like volleyball and basketball, so this isn't a very controversial or new idea.

I would only make one tiny suggestion: let teams play 2 spring games, so that they can get a home and away game. The NCAA rule could be very simple: teams are allowed to play 1 home and 1 away game during the Spring, and the teams can figure out who and when they play and under what rules.

A very good idea that would end up being ruined by the greed of the athletic departments. I can see the $50 ticket prices now. I can see early season ratings skewed by the results of an "exhibition game." I can see some here clamor for a spring playoff, LOL Ok, just joking on the playoff).

[peder]

I want this idea to gain some momentum. With conference expansion, it's impossible to play everyone in your conference, and 12 games increasingly feels like too few.

[GoBigfRed]

I'm not for it. It would lead to less opportunity for younger, up and coming players during the spring because there'd be pressure building to actually win. That'd lead to the already established players getting more attention and on field time.

[Warhorse]

Please stop trying to turn college football into pro football.

[Nishioka]

I'm on the fence on this one, on one hand it sounds great just because..and on the other hand I can see it being a risk for injury

Especially that Texas A&M vs. Texas one... that will NOT be a "spring practice".

[Husker Country Doc]

It's fun to think about, but spring ball is for teaching and development.

I'd sell a kidney for a win vs. OU, so the pressure to "win" the spring game would interfere with working with the young players.

[RussianRed]

Nope, too many variables, HCD is correct. teach & evaluate.

[peder]

Please stop trying to turn college football into pro football.

I don't think this would be like pro football at all. But then, I'm not in favor of making the spring games exhibition games, either. I'd just as soon have a couple of Spring games that matter, just like we do with the volleyball team.

[Herbie's Daddy]

No way this happens in my lifetime....Too much risk to lose anybody to injury, little lone your star player for the year over a skirmish against another team that won't mean anything but bragging rights. Yards, scores and win/losses won't make it into the record books.

Why would you do that anyway when you know Husker fan will pack Memorial Stadium for a gloirified practice, make a boat load of money and you don't even have to break out your playbook in the process...

[BuffSurveyor]

Spring game against old foes = Bad Idea!

[bilsker]

I'm not for it. It would lead to less opportunity for younger, up and coming players during the spring because there'd be pressure building to actually win. That'd lead to the already established players getting more attention and on field time.

Occasionally fred is right. This is one of those times.

[Red Reign]

Bad idea for so many reasons...