Complete Previews for Top College Football Spring Games This Weekend
The last two weekends have been loaded with spring games across college football. If you're up for another round, April 24 and 25 have you covered.
And there are just as many pertinent questions as ever.
Is UCLA early enrollee quarterback Josh Rosen the real deal? Will Arkansas and Tennessee finally take the next step in their SEC divisional races? Does Michigan State have what it takes to upend national title favorite Ohio State in the Big Ten East?
Those questions won't be answered in their entirety this weekend, but we will get a glimpse at the possibilities. Here's what's on tap for this weekend's slate of spring games. In the following slides is the entire schedule, with full previews for 10 teams.
Full Weekend Schedule
1 of 11
Note: Games in bold receive full previews.
Friday, April 24
| Team | Time (ET) | TV Info |
| Rutgers | 7:30 p.m. | BTN |
| Idaho | 9 p.m. | n/a |
Saturday, April 25
| Team | Time (ET) | TV Info |
| Miami (OH) | Noon | n/a |
| Troy | Noon | n/a |
| Central Michigan | 1 p.m. | n/a |
| Temple | 1 p.m. | n/a |
| West Virginia | 1 p.m. | n/a |
| UCLA | 1 p.m. | Pac-12 Networks |
| Arkansas | 2 p.m. | SEC Alt. |
| Iowa | 2 p.m. | n/a |
| Kansas | 2 p.m. | n/a |
| Michigan State | 2 p.m. | BTN |
| Virginia Tech | 2 p.m. | ESPN3 |
| Marshall | 2:30 p.m. | n/a |
| New Mexico State | 3 p.m. | n/a |
| Utah | 3 p.m. | Pac-12 Networks |
| Washington | 3 p.m. | Pac-12 Networks |
| Kansas State | 4 p.m. | n/a |
| Nevada | 4 p.m. | n/a |
| Tennessee | 4 p.m. | SEC Alt. |
| Wisconsin | 4 p.m. | BTN |
| Wyoming | 4 p.m. | n/a |
| Washington State | 5 p.m. | Pac-12 Networks |
West Virginia
2 of 11
When: Saturday, April 25—1 p.m. ET
Key Storyline: This Is the Mountaineers' Best Defense Since...?
Defense has been the Achilles' heel for much of West Virginia's time in the Big 12. That's been due to a combination of youth, assistant coaching turnover—associate head coach Tom Bradley officially became UCLA's defensive coordinator in February—and facing better offenses than the Mountaineers ever did in the Big East on a weekly basis.
But, just maybe, 2015 might be the year when West Virginia's defense becomes the strength of the team. Nine of 11 starters are back, most of whom are now seniors with plenty of experience. Defensive coordinator Tony Gibson is back for a second year and did a nice job of getting WVU from the bottom of the conference to the middle.
Now, can they get to the top? Safety Karl Joseph, a soon-to-be four-year starter, is one of the conference's best.
Key Position Battle: Wide Receiver
The Mountaineers' two leading receivers from 2014, Kevin White and Mario Alford, are gone. White specifically could be a top-10 pick in the NFL draft. He was the vertical threat who won 99 percent of the jump-ball battles downfield and could take a short pass for a long gain. Alford, while smaller, was a speedy option, clocking 4.27 seconds in the 40-yard dash at his pro day, according NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt.
Senior Jordan Thompson, junior Daikiel Shorts and sophomore Shelton Gibson have been getting first-team reps, according to Thompson and Shorts are surefire starters, but Gibson could be the surprise of the season. Incoming freshmen Jovon Durante and Gary Jennings could make immediate impacts as well, per Brandon Chatmon of ESPN.com.
Star Watch: QB Skyler Howard
Former WVU quarterback Clint Trickett is as tough as they come, but a concussion against Kansas State—the final of many concussions he suffered over his career—paved the way for backup Skyler Howard. In three appearances at the end of last year, Howard threw for 829 yards, eight touchdowns and zero picks. He also gives West Virginia's offense a different dimension with his running ability.
It was thought that perhaps Howard would battle redshirt freshman William Crest for the starting job in 2015, but head coach Dana Holgorsen has already given an edge to Howard.
"He is the clear-cut No. 1 right now. Not even close," Holgorsen said, per WVUSports.com. "He’s a different kid. He’s operating well."
Howard technically isn't the starter yet, but he may as well be. He won't get as much attention as TCU's Trevone Boykin, but Howard could creep up into that next tier of Big 12 quarterbacks.
UCLA
3 of 11
When: Saturday, April 25—1 p.m. ET
Key Storyline: Will UCLA Finally Get Over the Hump as an Underdog?
For as much hype as the USC train is getting this offseason, a glance over at the Trojans' cross-town rival should pique some interest. UCLA returns most of its starters from a year ago, minus star quarterback Brett Hundley, linebacker Eric Kendricks and leading edge-rusher Owamagbe Odighizuwa.
Those are big losses, to be sure, but this team has plenty of experience and talent. With the addition of defensive coordinator Tom Bradley, the Bruins have the personnel and coaching staff to legitimately compete for a Pac-12 South title.
Will they? The knock on UCLA has been that of a perennial underachiever, a program that's good, but not quite able to reach the top.
Naturally, the most UCLA thing possible would be to surprise the nation and win the Pac-12 in the post-Hundley era.
Key Position Battle: Quarterback
Replacing Hundley is a tall order, but UCLA might have its next face of the program already on its roster. Early enrollee and former 247Sports' 5-star prospect Josh Rosen has been the buzz of the offseason, getting rave reviews from reporters during sessions open to media.
Jerry Neuheisel (son of former Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel) who led the team to a comeback win over Texas a year ago, is the ultimate coach's kid: tough and a great competitor. Those two will likely battle for the starting job, which will not be named until the season opener.
"I will not say who's the guy until our first series against Virginia," head coach Jim Mora said, according to Chris Foster of the Los Angeles Times.
Star Watch: CB Ishmael Adams
Adams isn't the biggest guy on the field. He's listed at 5'8" and 190 pounds on his profile. However, he's a favorite in the locker room and among the coaching staff for his effort and production. Last season, Adams returned two interceptions for touchdowns and had four pass breakups to go along with 41 tackles.
Linebacker Myles Jack may get the spotlight because of his history as a two-way player, but Adams is a strong centerpiece of the Bruins secondary and the leading kick returner.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Arkansas
4 of 11
When: Saturday, April 25—2 p.m. ET
Key Storyline: Can the Hogs Finally Make Noise in the SEC West?
Arkansas finished the 2014 season by winning three of the final four games by a combined score of 92-28. Still, the Hogs technically finished last in the SEC West with a 2-6 conference record. On one hand, there's optimism that head coach Bret Bielema is finally resurrecting a proud program. On the other, this was a 7-6 team, plain and simple.
Finishing the job will be the theme for the Razorbacks in 2015. Most of the offense returns with the key parts—offensive line and running back—essentially intact. Senior Brandon Allen is quietly one of the more efficient quarterbacks in the SEC.
Key Position Battle: Defensive Line
The Hogs had a stout run defense a year ago, finishing third in the SEC with 3.47 yards per rush allowed and only 11 touchdowns. Maintaining those types of numbers will play into what Arkansas does best: play great defense, hold onto the ball and wear down opponents.
Defensive end Trey Flowers and defensive tackle Darius Philon are two huge pieces to that puzzle that are now gone. Deatrich Wise Jr., Bijhon Jackson and Armon Watts are three players who should pick up the slack along the defensive front.
Star Watch: Tight End Hunter Henry
Keon Hatcher is Arkansas' leading returning receiver, but the Hogs loved passing to tight ends last year as well. Of the two leading pass-catching tight ends—A.J. Derby and Hunter Henry—Henry returns as one of the top players at his position in the SEC.
Jeremy Sprinkle will get into the rotation as well, but Henry is an All-SEC talent with Mackey Award potential.
Iowa
5 of 11
When: Saturday, April 25—2 p.m. ET
Key Storyline: Iowa Retools its Offense
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz shook things up early in the offseason by promoting son and offensive line coach Brian Ferentz to run-game coordinator. That ground attack will be without longtime starting running back Mark Weisman, who accounted for 16 of the Hawkeyes' 22 rushing touchdowns.
Additionally, the new-look offensive line will be without star tackle Brandon Scherff, and the C.J. Beathard era at quarterback has officially begun. Rather than go through an offseason competition, Ferentz named Beathard the starter over Jake Rudock, who has since transferred to Michigan.
Key Position Battle: Defensive Tackle
The edge of Iowa's defensive line features two standout players in Drew Ott and Nate Meier. The Hawkeyes will look a little newer on the interior of their defensive line, however. Gone are anchors Carl Davis and Louis Trinca-Pasat. Jaleel Johnson, Faith Ekakitie, Nathan Bazata and Kyle Terlouw are all looking to fill out the starting spots at the defensive tackle position.
Star Watch: RB Jordan Canzeri
With the departure of Weisman, Iowa is looking for another leading running back. The Hawkeyes, as usual, are loaded with talent in the backfield, but Canzeri has been sitting atop the depth chart for some time. Last season, the senior finished second on the team with 102 carries for 494 yards but scored his only touchdown as a receiver. Expect those numbers to go way up with Weisman's departure.
Michigan State
6 of 11
When: Saturday, April 25—2 p.m. ET
Key Storyline: Adjusting to Life Without Defensive Coordinator Pat Narduzzi
Former defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi was as much a staple of Michigan State football as head coach Mark Dantonio. However, Narduzzi justifiably and deservedly took the head coaching job at Pitt. To replace him, Dantonio promoted secondary coach Harlon Barnett and linebackers coach Mike Tressel to co-defensive coordinator titles. Meanwhile, former Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mark Snyder joins the staff as the linebackers coach.
Like Narduzzi, Barnett and Tressel have been with Dantonio for several years and know the program inside and out. Michigan State loses defensive stars at every level of the defense, but perhaps is hit hardest in the secondary with the departures of safety Kurtis Drummond and corner Trae Waynes.
Sparty's offense has taken a step forward the past two years. Now, can the defense stay on par?
Key Position Battle: Cornerback
In addition to Waynes, the Spartans lose two-way player Tony Lippett, who played wide receiver and cornerback. Demetrious Cox could make a move from safety to corner to occupy one of the spots, but he's versatile enough to do both. Darian Hicks, Arjen Colquhoun, Jermaine Edmondson and Vayante Copeland are all vying for a starting corner spot as well.
"We still haven't found the best four guys,'' said Cox, per Mike Griffith of MLive.com. "We just want to get better every day and push each other.''
Star Watch: DL Malik McDowell
With defensive end Shilique Calhoun returning, Michigan State's defensive line is already in a good spot. It could be in an even better spot if former blue-chip defensive lineman Malik McDowell delivers on his potential. Though he played in all 13 games a year ago, he is now emerging as the No. 1 nose tackle in spring.
"This Malik McDowell and last year's Malik McDowell are two different people," said McDowell to Joe Rexrode of the Lansing State Journal. "Trust me—two different people."
Virginia Tech
7 of 11
When: Saturday, April 25—2 p.m. ET
Key Storyline: Improving the Offense
There's no secret about what Virginia Tech and defensive coordinator Bud Foster can do. But the fact remains that the Hokies won more than a few games despite their offense, not because of it. How much does that change in 2015?
Texas Tech transfer Michael Brewer is entering his second year as the starting quarterback, but he's been hampered by a nagging back injury. Junior quarterback Brenden Motley has received most of the first-team reps in his absence. Brewer should be the guy going forward, but he has room to improve after throwing 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions a year ago.
Key Position Battle: Offensive Line
This is a fairly new group that has come together better than expected during the spring. Eric Gallo has stepped up at center, and converted defensive lineman Wyatt Teller is entering his second year at guard alongside Augie Conte. Jonathan McLaughlin could be the starter at left tackle with Wade Hansen at right tackle.
For as new as this unit is, growing together quickly is important. However, this O-line has the chance to be better than its 2014 counterpart. Sacks aren't always the offensive line's fault—the quarterback can be equally to blame—but the Hokies ranked 12th in the ACC in sacks allowed last year nevertheless.
Star Watch: DE Dadi Nicolas
Nicolas makes up a great one-two punch at the edge-rusher spot with Ken Ekanem. However, with Ekanem nursing a shoulder injury, Nicolas will be the only one on display. Last season, the senior finished first on the team with 18 tackles for loss and second behind Ekanem with 8.5 sacks. However, his astounding 35 quarterback hurries, per VT's website, stand out the most.
Washington
8 of 11
When: Saturday, April 25—3 p.m. ET
Key Storyline: Boosting the Defensive Front Seven
The two-headed monster of Oregon and Stanford has dominated the Pac-12 North. Could that change in 2015? If it does, second-year head coach Chris Petersen will have to reboot the defensive front seven, which will be filled almost entirely with new starters. D-linemen Danny Shelton and Hau'oli Kikaha and linebacker Shaq Thompson are all gone.
The secondary, on the other hand, while less experienced last year, should be the strength in 2015.
Key Position Battle: Quarterback
With Cyler Miles on a “voluntary leave of absence," Washington's quarterback battle basically comes down to true freshman Jake Browning, redshirt freshman K.J. Carta-Samuels and junior Jeff Lindquist. The battle for the No. 1 job is pretty much anyone's game at this point.
"We’re still installing some things, and so you expect a little hit and miss there," offensive coordinator Jonathan Smith said this month, according to Christian Caple of The Bellingham Herald. “I think at some point—and we’ve got some things in that we’ve had for a couple weeks, and those need to continue to get executed—we need to get those executed, and we’re not quite there yet.”
Star Watch: DB Budda Baker
Washington knows a thing or two about two-way players. Last season, Thompson moonlighted as a running back and finished third on the team with 456 yards. This year, safety Budda Baker looks like he could be the Huskies' next utility player. According to Petersen, Baker has been working on offense at both receiver and running back (h/t Adam Jude, The Seattle Times).
Kansas State
9 of 11
When: Saturday, April 25—4 p.m. ET
Key Storyline: Reloading on Offense
Wide receiver Tyler Lockett, perhaps the single most underrated player at his position nationally last year, is gone to the NFL. So, too, is second-leading receiver Curry Sexton, quarterback Jake Waters, tight end Zach Trujillo and center B.J. Finney.
That's a lot of production, star power and leadership out the door.
Head coach Bill Snyder is a genius. This much is known and has been known for some time. To think he won't be able to reload the K-State offense with his signature brand of power football is naive. However, Lockett is up there in that once-in-a-decade type of player. His loss cannot be emphasized enough.
Key Position Battle: Wide Receiver
Joe Hubener appears to have the inside track to start at quarterback, so let's move to wide receiver where, again, Lockett and Sexton's departures are glaring. Deante Burton and Judah Jones are young players who should step up big time next season, but Kellis Robinett of The Wichita Eagle especially likes Jones as an impact receiver:
"The safer answers are Deante Burton and Kody Cook. Both did more than Judah Jones last season. But Judah Jones has the most upside. If he can master the playbook and improve as a route-runner, he could have a nice season.
...
Burton, [Kody] Cook, Jones, Andre Davis, Kyle Klein and even Stanton Weber have shown they have talent. But none have produced consistently on the big stage. The opportunity is there for one, or all, of them to step into larger roles. Who will do so? I’m looking forward to discovering the answer.
"
Star Watch: DB Danzel McDaniel
McDaniel will be a senior on a largely veteran defense. He has a reputation as one of the hardest-hitting cornerbacks in college football. In that sense, he resembles a safety more than a guy on the outside. An All-Big 12 selection a year ago, McDaniel is looking to improve his overall game in 2015 and should be the guy to cover the conference's best receivers.
“When I hear, ‘Danzel is the best hitting corner in the nation,’ I want to be an all-around corner,” McDaniel said, according to Ken Corbitt of The Topeka Capital-Journal. “I want to be the best corner in the nation."
Tennessee
10 of 11
When: Saturday, April 25—4 p.m. ET
Key Storyline: Managing High Expectations
Yes, the whole "Is ___ Team Back?" thing gets tired. However, for the Vols, there really is a buzz around this program that screams 2015 SEC East champs. Head coach Butch Jones has recruited his tail off, pulled a couple of upsets along the way and appears to finally—finally—have this ship headed in the right direction. This team is loaded with young talent that has already contributed at a high level.
The personnel is there. The right coach is there. The right division, a wide-open SEC East, is there. Can Tennessee finally capitalize after what seems like a decadelong rebuilding project?
Key Position Battle: Defensive Line
Because Tennessee is so young, there's not enough turnover to merit many true position battles. However, health has been a major issue for this team in the spring. Injuries have taken a huge toll on depth, especially at defensive line. Defensive ends Derek Barnett, Corey Vereen and Kyle Phillips, defensive tackle Danny O'Brien and hybrid defensive end/linebacker Curt Maggitt have all been either held out or limited.
As a result, a lot of young players who may not even see the two-deep in the fall have been getting plenty of playing time. Redshirt sophomore Kendal Vickers and sophomore Dimarya Mixon are two players who have seen an increase in reps because of depth problems.
Star Watch: QB Joshua Dobbs
Tennessee has struggled in recent years to find the right quarterback. It appears that struggle is finally over with Dobbs, who threw for 1,206 yards and nine touchdowns in six games last year. Not only is Dobbs a tremendous athlete who can hurt defenses with his arm and his legs, but he's grown as a vocal leader and is ready to take command of the Vols offense for good.
"I think Dobbs is a phenomenal leader, and that just comes off his influence," Maggitt told Bleacher Report's Brad Shepard. "Dobbs doesn't even have to say anything. Everybody just looks at him like, 'What are we doing? What's up, Dobbs?' Looking to him for those answers. I think this offseason, he's taken that step to holding guys accountable, to being that vocal leader."
With so much turnover at quarterback in the SEC, Dobbs gets early recognition as one of the conference's best young stars.
Wisconsin
11 of 11
When: Saturday, April 25—4 p.m. ET
Key Storyline: The Paul Chryst Era Begins
Keeping a head coach has become a problem for Wisconsin. Since Barry Alvarez's retirement, the Badgers have lost Bret Bielema and Gary Andersen to other jobs—and the latter only stayed two years. The new head honcho, Paul Chryst, is a former Badgers assistant and a seemingly perfect fit for the program. Alvarez, now the school's athletic director, clearly feels Chryst is the guy to keep the program performing at a high level.
The question, though, is whether Wisconsin got that or a lifer.
Key Position Battle: Offensive Line
Considering that so much of the Badgers offense goes through the run game, it makes sense that so much stock is put into the offensive line. This is a unit that's breaking in three new starters. Right tackle Hayden Biegel, right guard Michael Deiter and left guard Ray Ball have been taking plenty of first-team reps to go alongside center Dan Voltz and tackle Tyler Marz. Voltz, however, has been nursing an ankle injury.
Assuming this group can come together like other Badger O-lines in years past, Corey Clement, the successor to Melvin Gordon at running back, should have a breakout year.
Star Watch: LB Vince Biegel
One of the best "recruiting" wins for Chryst was keeping defensive coordinator Dave Aranda on the coaching staff. Over the past two years, the Badgers have had one of the best defenses in the country. Similarly, Aranda has one of the Big Ten's best defenders in linebacker Vince Biegel. As a sophomore, Biegel led the team with 16.5 tackles for loss and was second on the team in sacks (7.5) and quarterback hurries (four). He also forced a pair of fumbles.
To no one's surprise, Biegel has been a force for the Badgers again this spring. He's a critical part of a unit that is replacing much of its defensive front seven.
Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. All quotes cited unless obtained firsthand. All stats courtesy of cfbstats.com.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
