Power Ranking College Football's Best Spring Games to Watch

It's not Easter that heralds the arrival of spring to the average football fan.

Nor is it the warmer weather, baseball's opening day or birds sweetly trilling after a long, hard winter.

Nope, it's spring football games.

This is a list power ranking 16 spring games, based on appeal, position battles and story lines to watch.

All of these games are between April 14-28, and time, date and broadcast/streaming information is included.

16. Mississippi State Bulldogs: Saturday, April 21, 2:00 PM

ESPN3.com

The Bulldogs did not get close to living up to expectations next season, so this year will be key to Dan Mullen's plans to remain as head coach.

New starting quarterback Tyler Russell and new feature running backs LaDarius Perkins and Nick Griffin have some big shoes to fill offensively, and Russell has shown potential throughout the spring.

That said, even with a good spring and progress this fall, the Bulldogs are going to struggle to hang with the "big boys" of the SEC, and the spring game will give us a good idea why.

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2012/04/06/3867641/bulldogs-new-offense-still-needs.html#storylink=cpy

15. Vanderbilt Commodores: Saturday, April 14, 7:00 PM

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James Franklin will be out to prove that his team's turn in an upward direction can be sustained.

That's going to be tough, especially in the SEC and with the departure of linebacker Chris Marve.

The most interesting storyline to watch at the 'Dores spring game will be how the defense looks without him.

Chase Garnham looks to step up and fill the void left by Marve's departure, but if Vandy is going to enjoy any measure of success, somebody else will have to step up as well.

14. N. C. State Wolfpack: Saturday, April 21, 1:00 PM

ESPN3.com

Fans have got to be wondering how this squad will look.

All three starting linebackers, including two All-Conference performers, are gone, three wide receivers have departed and the health of Mustafa Greene's foot is still in question.

Tom O'Brien has his work cut out for him, and the spring game should be a showcase for the guys that are pushing to take over the positions of need for the Wolfpack.

13. Miami Hurricanes: Saturday, April 14, 2:00 PM

ESPN3.com

It's been a tough couple of seasons in Miami, between scandals, unmet expectations and poor performance.

The "Al Golden Experiment" is still going on at the "U", and the second year is going to be better for fans of the program than the 2011 season.

Jacory Harris is gone and Stephen Morris has not been reliable, but the Hurricanes have a plethora of talent across the board.

Though most coaches don't show everything they have at the spring game, if you enjoy watching speed, this is one to make sure you catch.

12. North Carolina Tar Heels: Saturday, April 14, 3:00 PM

ESPN3.com

Larry Fedora, welcome to the ACC.

Fedora has been a key part of some pretty explosive offenses, including Florida under Ron Zook and Oklahoma State.

This bodes well for a North Carolina team that lost tons of talent on defense, but has two young stars of offense that will be key to the team's success.

Running back Gio Bernard and quarterback Bryn Renner will be looking to build off of a solid 2011, and the spring game gives them a chance to show they can function in Fedora's offense.

11. Georgia Bulldogs: Saturday, April 14, 3:00 PM

ESPN3.com

The Bulldogs have a ton of talent, a great coach and a favorable schedule.

Anything short of another appearance in the SEC title game will be a disappointment.

Of course, the issues on the offensive line might be too great to be masked by solid defense, and somebody has to step up to fill the wide receiver position after Tavarres King.

Mark Richt's defense is going to be stout, and it will be interesting to see the unit in action against its own offense.

10. Florida State Seminoles: Saturday, April 14, 4:00 PM

ESPN3.com

Florida State is one of the most experienced teams in the nation, returning 18 starters.

Unfortunately, the offensive line needs some help.

Which guys step up to fill the void left by the departure of two starters?

E.J. Manuel is not extremely effective when under pressure, and the running game will suffer without some solid blocking.

Jimbo Fisher's recruiting has paid off with some great recruits, and this game will be a great chance for a first look at them.

9. Michigan State Spartans: Saturday, April 28, 1:00 PM

Big Ten Network, BTN2Go

The Spartans are a talented team that has few holes.

However, those holes are big ones.

Andrew Maxwell steps in at quarterback, and it will be interesting to see how well he does replacing the cerebral Kirk Cousins, especially without the Spartans' four best wide receivers.

Defensively, they return eight starters to one of the stoutest squads in the nation, but Jerel Worthy is gone, as are the two backups at defensive tackle with moderate experience.

If Mark Dantonio can successfully fill and develop these positions, Sparty is looking at a Big Ten title.

If not, the first indication we will get will be this game.

8. Auburn Tigers: Saturday, April 14, 3:00 PM

ESPN3.com

The Tigers are going to have one of the most talented young teams in the SEC.

It remains to be seen whether Gene Chizik can lead them to the top of the conference.

Guys like Corey Lemonier will be difference makers on defense, while Emory Blake will provide a spark from the wide receiver position if the Tigers can find a quarterback that can throw the ball.

Kiehl Frazier and Clint Moseley will battle it out for the starting job, and with a new offensive coordinator, both will have an equal opportunity to make their case.

7. Clemson Tigers: Saturday, April 14, 4:00 PM

ESPN3.com

The Tigers suffered a devastating loss when last we saw them in the Orange Bowl, falling to West Virginia, 70-33.

The good new for Clemson fans is that most of the offense returns intact.

The bad news is that four starters on the offensive line are gone.

Guys like Andre Ellington, Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins are going to have a tough time producing without an effective offensive line.

Oh yeah, if you watch this game, you might get to hear Dabo Swinney give us a gem of a quote.

6. Alabama Crimson Tide: Saturday, April 14, 3:00 PM

ESPN3.com

It's time to do work in Tuscaloosa.

Coming off of its BCS title, Nick Saban's team will give us our first look at the squad that will try to defend that title.

It will be interesting to see which of a stable of talented running backs fills Trent Richardson's shoes, as well as whether A.J. McCarron will continue to build off of his great performance in the BCS title game.

But even more vital to the Tide's success will be the defense.

Can they reload to replace the talented guys that departed?

5. Virginia Tech Hokies: Saturday, April 21, 4:00 PM

ESPN3.com

Frank Beamer and friends have an interesting squad for 2012.

Offensively, running back David Wilson and four offensive linemen are gone, leaving a gaping hole on that side of the ball.

However, Beamer, as usual, has an extremely good defensive unit, returning 10 starters.

This spring game will give us some insight into whether the Hokies will again have the talent behind quarterback Logan Thomas to make a run at the ACC title.

4. Michigan Wolverines: Saturday, April 14, Noon

 Big Ten Network, BTN2GO

Will Brady Hoke continue to experience success with a talented Wolverines squad?

How does the defense look?

Is Denard ready to go?

Questions abound for Michigan, especially as they have a legit shot at taking a Big Ten title this season, and possibly even a shot at the BCS title.

The spring game will give us the opportunity to get a solid preview of how Michigan plans to try and continue its momentum into 2012.

3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Saturday, April 21, 1:30 PM

NBC Sports

It all comes down to the quarterback position for the Irish.

I have to believe this game will go a long way toward helping Brian Kelly make up his mind.

He has four solid options: Tommy Rees, Andrew Hendrix, Everett Golson and Gunner Kiel to fill the position, and each one brings his own unique skill set and talents.

Rees and Hendrix have the most experience, but you have to wonder, should Kiel perform as advertised, whether Kelly will be willing to sacrifice the past experience for the sake of Kiel.

2. Oregon Ducks: Saturday, April 28, 2:00 PM

ESPN3.com

Bryan Bennett or Marcus Mariota? That's the question.

Which guy will win out at quarterback?

But that's not the only place where there are questions.

With Chip Kelly closing practice, the spring game will be everybody's first chance to get a look at a team that has question marks at corner, wide receiver and tight end.

1. Arkansas Razorbacks: Saturday, April 21, 3:00 PM

ESPN3.com

This just got a whole lot more interesting.

In case you have been under a rock somewhere, Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino is in trouble over his relationship with a university employee, to the point that his job may be in jeopardy.

This comes at a really bad time, as the Razorbacks have the talent to make a run at the SEC title in 2012.

All that aside, the return of running back Knile Davis, coupled with Tyler Wilson's new targets at wide receiver, make this one a must watch.