College Football 2012: Spring Games Worth Watching

Considering college football’s penchant lately for creating offseason headlines for all of the wrong reasons, the arrival of spring football couldn’t come at a better time for fans thirsty for gridiron action. 

While a few contenders across the country have already completed their spring games, several powerhouses expected to have big seasons will be in action over the next three consecutive weekends. 

Included in that group is an Arkansas team still reeling from the fallout of the dismissal of head coach Bobby Petrino.

The Razorbacks and their fan base will, in essence, begin their healing during their spring game April 21st—with the goal being to try and refocus a loaded team on a quest to breakthrough in the SEC West this fall. 

One of their chief obstacles—defending national champion Alabama—will seek to find answers to who will fill several sizable holes left by departed stars during this weekend’s A-Day game. 

Likely preseason top-five powers USC and Oklahoma will also be in action this Saturday, with both teams possessing stacked rosters, yet trying to polish up a few remaining issues before the season approaches. 

Meanwhile, Boise State—one of the sport’s annual BCS busters—is facing its most challenging season in recent memory with a host of key departures led by outgoing quarterback Kellen Moore. The future starts this weekend for Chris Peterson and the Broncos. 

In Tallahassee, the Florida State Seminoles look to be in position to finally breakthrough and take control of the ACC—if they can fix their problems on the offensive line. 

One of their former rivals, former Florida head coach Urban Meyer, has relocated to the Big 10 and will begin his latest transformation project with Ohio State.

Plenty of intrigue surrounds the Buckeyes this season—particularly how quickly quarterback Braxton Miller will take to Meyer’s spread system. 

Rounding out the group of spring games most fans should be paying close attention to is the Oregon Ducks—who don’t take the field at Autzen Stadium until April 28th.

If the Ducks will make it to their fourth consecutive BCS bowl, Chip Kelly will have to find replacements for quarterback Darron Thomas and running back LaMichael James. 

While all of these teams have pressing issues that need answers, their respective spring games could go a long way in identifying the solutions that could lead to a championship this season. 

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