The days of college football spring games seems to be coming to an end. At least four major programs have canceled the early calendar spectacle, opting instead for public practices and drill competitions.
The reasons for such cancellations have varied from wanting to avoid injuries, lack of competitiveness and trying to avoid giving opportunities for opposition tampering.
But one power conference program is looking to keep the tradition alive by adding a new flair to it.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders wants his team to practice with and face an opposing team for the spring game.
"I would like to practice against someone for a few days, then you have the spring game and I think the public will be satisfied with that tremendously," he said March 17 (h/t On3 Sports).
“We got to sell this thing out and pack this thing because the way the trend is going, you never know if this is going to be the last spring game," he continued. "I don’t believe in that. I don’t really want to condone that. I would like to play in the spring. Actually, I (would) like to play against another team in the spring. That’s what I’m trying to do right now. "
Could ASU and Colorado face off in a spring game?
Interestingly, Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham re-posted On3's post about Sanders' comments on Friday. Could that be a sign the Sun Devils are interested in being that team Colorado faces?
This could just be reading too much into things. Dillingham could very well just agree with Sanders' idea to turn the spring game from an intra-squad scrimmage into a full on pre-season matchup.
The logistics would be tough (but not impossible) to set up too. Colorado's spring game is scheduled for April 19th and set to air on ESPN2. ASU has not yet announced a date for its Maroon and Gold scrimmage (the 2024 edition was played on April 26).
A trip to Boulder, Colorado wouldn't be all that difficult to arrange in a month's time and it would offer two top programs in the Big 12 Conference an opportunity to elevate their skills and foster a rivalry.
Dillingham and Sanders faced off for the first time during the 2023 season, a last-second 27-24 loss for the Sun Devils in Tempe. The two teams are scheduled for a rematch on Nov. 22 in Boulder.