Complete Previews for Top College Football Spring Games This Weekend
Spring game season in college football—the only time we'll see stadiums packed and fields filled around the country until all the way in September—is coming to a close.
But for the third straight weekend, fans will get to see plenty of developments for a number of major conference teams when the action kicks off again.
This upcoming spring game weekend is heavy on talent in the Big Ten and the Pac-12, including a defending College Football Playoff semifinalist in Michigan State. Intriguing contenders in both Pac-12 divisions—UCLA, Utah and the Washington schools—will line up for their respective scrimmages, while Wisconsin and Iowa will look to follow up their double-digit-win campaigns with a strong spring finale.
Those aren't the only two leagues taking the spotlight this Saturday. The SEC's monthlong spring game extravaganza will wrap up with the always interesting action down in Arkansas, and an exciting new era will also begin in ACC country when Justin Fuente takes over in Virginia Tech's Lane Stadium. The Big 12's West Virginia will hold its spring game at a golf resort.
As we've done for the last two Wednesdays, let's take a look at the entire FBS spring game schedule for this weekend and preview 10 of the biggest ones on the card.
Full Weekend Schedule
1 of 11
Friday, April 22
- Memphis (8 p.m. ET)
- Idaho (9 p.m. ET)
Saturday, April 23
- Georgia Tech (noon ET on ESPN3)
- West Virginia (noon ET)
- Arkansas (1 p.m. ET on SEC Network)
- Miami (Ohio) (1 p.m. ET)
- Southern Miss (1 p.m. ET)
- Wisconsin (1 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network)
- Troy (1:30 p.m. ET)
- Buffalo (2 p.m. ET)
- Iowa (2 p.m. ET on BTN2Go)
- Utah (2 p.m. ET on Pac-12 Networks)
- UTSA (2 p.m. ET)
- Western Kentucky (2 p.m. ET)
- Kansas State (2:10 p.m. ET)
- UCLA (2:30 p.m. ET on Pac-12 Networks)
- Virginia Tech (2:30 p.m. ET)
- Ball State (3 p.m. ET)
- Colorado State (3 p.m. ET)
- Michigan State (3 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network)
- Northern Illinois (3 p.m. ET)
- North Texas (3 p.m. ET)
- Wyoming (3 p.m. ET)
- Washington (3:30 p.m. ET on Pac-12 Networks)
- Virginia (4 p.m. ET)
- Washington State (4 p.m. ET on Pac-12 Networks)
- Charlotte (7 p.m. ET)
- Rutgers (7 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network)
(Games in bold have complete previews in the following slides.)
West Virginia
2 of 11
Name: Gold-Blue Spring Game
Time: Noon ET
Location: The Greenbrier Sports Performance Center (White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia)
Top storyline: Make-or-break season for Dana Holgorsen
Toward the end of last season, there were rumblings in Morgantown about head coach Dana Holgorsen's job security, per the Charleston Gazette-Mail. Since joining the Big 12 after Holgorsen's first season—a 10-win one—the Mountaineers have gone 7-5 in the regular season three out of four times, with the other one being a rough 4-8 campaign.
But West Virginia won the Cactus Bowl, and Holgorsen is back for at least one more year with West Virginia. He'll most likely need to show that the Mountaineers aren't stuck in neutral with him this fall. If West Virginia can answer some key questions on offense and rebuild its defense, then it'll be a dangerous draw for whoever crosses paths with it in 2016.
Key position battle: Cornerback
Solid cornerback play is a must in the pass-happy Big 12, and West Virginia has some major question marks there since it has to replace nine defensive starters this season. According to Chris Anderson of 247Sports, Nana Kyeremeh, Rasul Douglas and Antonio Crawford are battling for two starting jobs this spring, and they've had their good and bad days.
"I think each guy brings something different to the table," WVU cornerbacks coach Blue Adams said, per Anderson. "With Rasul, it's his length. With Nana, it's his toughness. With Crawford, it's his wits. Each guy brings something to the table. It's just a matter of getting everyone to play at a higher level, a higher standard."
Spring star watch: WR Ka'Raun White
While question marks for new starters abound on the defensive side of the ball, West Virginia should be loaded at wide receiver this season with the returns of Shelton Gibson, Daikiel Shorts and Jovon Durante—three of the top four targets a season ago.
One of the receivers who are turning heads the most this spring, though, is Ka'Raun White, the younger brother of former WVU standout wide receiver Kevin White. Reports from BlueGoldSports.com out of spring camp say White is making more and more plays like his older brother and has all the tools to be the No. 1 target in Morgantown this fall as a junior.
Arkansas
3 of 11
Name: Red-White Spring Game
Time: 1 p.m. ET on SEC Network
Location: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium (Fayetteville, Arkansas)
Top storyline: Reloading what was an explosive offense in 2015
The offensive revolution at Arkansas last season was extraordinary. Under former Central Michigan head coach and new Razorbacks offensive coordinator Dan Enos, Arkansas jumped from 54th nationally in yards per play in 2014 to 12th in 2015, led by a passing attack that averaged almost 90 more yards per game between the two seasons.
Now the Hogs need to reload in a big way in order to keep up all that offensive momentum from 2015. Arkansas returns just five offensive starters from last year, needing a brand-new starting backfield and a good chunk of the offensive line that was the biggest in all of organized football.
Key position battle: Offensive line
While they can rely on the return of All-SEC tackle Dan Skipper, the Razorbacks need three new offensive line starters in 2016, and growth this spring has been slow. According to Tom Murphy of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas' stellar defensive line been the aggressor in several scrimmages this spring, and head coach Bret Bielema is preaching patience with the unit.
"We're not anywhere close to competing at the level we need to for the fall," Bielema said, per Murphy. "But we're getting there, baby steps, if we can just keep moving forward. ... It's a microwave world. I would say that. Everybody wants it done now. Football ain't that easy. I tried to explain that to the kids."
Spring star watch: QB Austin Allen
Arkansas avoided the quarterback controversy in its spring game this year by announcing that Austin Allen, younger brother of 2015 starter Brandon Allen, is on top of the depth chart heading into 2016. Allen will inherit a deep receiving corps that his older brother excelled with last season, including breakout star Drew Morgan.
Bielema said after making the decision to name Allen the starter that he was far and away the best quarterback on the roster this spring. Since he's now the new face of the offense, Saturday will be the perfect time for the younger Allen to prove he can pick up right where his older brother left off last season.
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Wisconsin
4 of 11
Name: Spring Football Game
Time: 1 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network
Location: Camp Randall Stadium (Madison, Wisconsin)
Top storyline: Can the Badgers stay strong through several transitions?
Wisconsin is no stranger to changes on its coaching staff, and it'll have to go through another major one this offseason after defensive coordinator Dave Aranda's departure to LSU. Justin Wilcox, a former rising star in the coaching world who hit a rough patch at USC, is now tasked with leading an experienced Badgers defense that ranked fourth nationally in yards per play last season.
That won't be the only change the Badgers have to deal with in 2016. Paul Chryst's team must find a new quarterback to lead the way, and Alex Erickson, the team's leading receiver for the last two seasons, also needs replacing. The vaunted rushing attack should have a bounce-back year after a rough 2015 behind an experienced offensive line, but can the Badgers stay balanced and hit double-digit wins again?
Key position battle: Quarterback
Following the departure of the inconsistent but ultimately successful Joel Stave, Wisconsin is looking for a new quarterback between a fifth-year senior entrenched in the system and a potential-filled redshirt freshman. Bart Houston backed up Stave last season, appearing in seven games with 281 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
While Houston has the edge in seniority and familiarity with what Wisconsin wants to do on offense, redshirt freshman Alex Hornibrook has battled all spring long. Saturday's game will be a perfect chance to see if there's any separation between the two signal-callers.
Spring star watch: LB T.J. Watt
The younger brother of NFL star and former Badgers lineman J.J. Watt, T.J. Watt is emerging as a force at linebacker for Wisconsin—a position that has a lot of solid options but not enough starting positions. According to Evan Flood of 247Sports, Watt has lined up as a first-team outside linebacker this spring, with Jack Cichy repping at the inside with Chris Orr.
"The junior has had a fine spring thus far and will force Wisconsin into a difficult decision this fall," Flood wrote. "Watt, a more physical, run-stopping presence, has shown to be a better complement to [Vince] Biegel than say Cichy, who plays a very similar style game as the All-Big Ten performer."
Iowa
5 of 11
Name: Spring Football Game
Time: 2 p.m. ET on BTN2Go
Location: Kinnick Stadium (Iowa City)
Top storyline: How will Iowa follow up its surprising 2015?
Iowa was one of the biggest surprises of the 2015 season, rattling off a 12-0 start and coming close to making the College Football Playoff in an epic Big Ten Championship Game. Although the Hawkeyes fell short against Michigan State and were walloped by Stanford in the Rose Bowl, there's no reason to overlook Iowa as a one-hit wonder.
The Hawkeyes return 12 starters this season and can rely on the leadership of star players such as quarterback C.J. Beathard and cornerback Desmond King. The run-based pro-style attack should still be solid alongside an experienced defense, and the schedule is favorable for another big run. This spring has been about plugging in holes on the depth chart and working to prove that 2015 wasn't a fluke in Iowa City.
Key position battle: Wide receiver
Beathard's receiving unit will have to reload this season after the departures of Tevaun Smith and Jacob Hillyer, but he'll still have leading receiver Matt VandeBerg to target this fall. The Hawkeyes need some strong complementary pieces to line up with VandeBerg and keep the offense as efficient as ever in the new campaign.
Jay Scheel should play a role for the Hawkeyes this season after not contributing as a freshman in 2015, and Emmanuel Ogwo has turned heads with his blazing speed in spring practices, according to Black Heart Gold Pants. Saturday's game will be important for playmakers such as Adrian Falconer, Andre Harris and Jonathan Parker to buy some more playing time next to the likes of VandeBerg.
Spring star watch: DE Matt Nelson
With star defensive end Drew Ott finding out recently that the NCAA denied his medical hardship waiver request, the attention has turned to sophomore Matt Nelson on the depth chart. Nelson has all the tools to be a massive star for the Hawkeyes—he is officially listed at 6'8" and 270 pounds.
Nelson scattered 14 tackles in 13 games last season for the Hawkeyes, and he broke through for 1.5 tackles for loss in the Rose Bowl loss to Stanford. The pressure is on him to help replace the talents of Nate Meier and Ott on the edges, and he'll bring a new look to the trenches this fall with his huge frame.
Utah
6 of 11
Name: Spring Football Game
Time: 2 p.m. ET on Pac-12 Networks
Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium (Salt Lake City)
Top storyline: New-look backfield in SLC
Utah has settled in as a force in the Pac-12 South over the last couple of seasons, and it'll always be tough for opponents to go to Rice-Eccles Stadium to take on the hard-hitting style of the Utes. But the makeup of the Utes will be quite different this season, especially in the offensive backfield.
Gone are star running back Devontae Booker and both quarterbacks who played last season, Travis Wilson and Kendal Thompson. Utah needs to find a way—or ways—to replace the production of Booker at running back while filling in the gap left by longtime starter Wilson. It's largely a new cast of characters in Salt Lake City, and head coach Kyle Whittingham has a couple of huge battles on his hands.
Key position battle: Quarterback
Wilson was the top quarterback of the past four seasons for the Utes, and Thompson was his primary backup in the last two. Junior Brandon Cox, JUCO transfer Troy Williams and freshman Tyler Huntley are battling to replace Wilson.
Right now, it appears Cox holds the edge as spring practices wind down, as he came up with eight impressive touchdowns in a pair of weekend scrimmages for the Utes. Williams is down with an injury, leaving Cox to square off with Huntley at the spring game with the hopes of gaining more of an advantage in the starting quarterback race. If his last few practices are any indication, Cox should have a big day.
Spring star watch: DE Pita Taumoepenu
There's an open spot on the defensive line for Utah heading into the 2016 season, and senior end Pita Taumoepenu is fighting for it this spring. In a recent scrimmage, the 6'1", 245-pound Utah native came up with 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. While he wasn't a starter last season, he was productive and could be a top playmaker in 2016.
"Pita's a big-play guy," Whittingham said, per Dirk Facer of the Deseret News. "He's going to be an instrumental part of our defense this fall.”
UCLA
7 of 11
Name: UCLA Spring Showcase
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET on Pac-12 Networks
Location: Drake Stadium (Los Angeles)
Top storyline: How will the new Rosen-led offense look?
UCLA is confident in who will be the leader of its offense this fall, as quarterback Josh Rosen is coming off a hyped true freshman campaign in which he had 3,669 yards and 23 touchdowns. The rest of the offense, though, will look quite different, as the Bruins will have a new coordinator and up to seven new starters on that side of the ball.
Kennedy Polamalu is taking over after the departure of Noel Mazzone to Texas A&M, and he has to deal with the departure of three of UCLA's top four receivers from a season ago, star running back Paul Perkins and three offensive linemen—two of which went to the NFL early. Look for a more power-based offensive style and several new stars in place of the Bruins' departed playmakers in Saturday's spring showcase.
Key position battle: Running back
Replacing Perkins in the UCLA offense might take a committee approach this season, as no clear-cut No. 1 option has emerged from the battling running backs in Los Angeles this spring. The Bruins have rotated between Soso Jamabo, Bolu Olorunfunmi and Nate Starks, with the first two making the biggest impacts this spring, according to Mike Regalado of FanSided.
Even though he was a true freshman, Jamabo had more touches last year than the other two running backs last season and is the favorite to become the top rusher this fall. However, with the depth the Bruins have there in 2016, Polamalu might favor spreading the wealth among the trio.
Spring star watch: DE Keisean Lucier-South
UCLA is switching from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 one this offseason, and one of the players who has benefited most from the change this spring is redshirt freshman Keisean Lucier-South. According to Bob Keisser of the Orange County Register, Lucier-South has gained 15 pounds this offseason and has moved from outside linebacker to rush end. He's stood out in practices and could have a breakout 2016.
"It's a good move for me," Lucier-South said, per Keisser. "I played out of a three-point stance a lot in high school, so it's comfortable. I've spent the offseason working on my strength and technique as a pass-rusher. I'm still raw right now."
Virginia Tech
8 of 11
Name: Maroon-White Spring Game
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
Location: Lane Stadium (Blacksburg, Virginia)
Top storyline: The Justin Fuente Era begins
Saturday's spring game in Lane Stadium will officially mark the start of a new era at Virginia Tech. Late in the final season of legendary head coach Frank Beamer, the Hokies wasted no time in landing one of the best hires of the coaching carousel in former Memphis head man Justin Fuente.
Fuente will look to get Virginia Tech back to championship contention in the ACC, and he'll bring an explosive offensive mindset that was sorely needed in Blacksburg. Fuente can lean on veteran defensive coordinator Bud Foster, who decided to stay with the Hokies after the coaching change, as the program looks forward to starting a bright new age of football in one of college football's toughest venues.
Key position battle: Quarterback
The key to kick-starting what Virginia Tech hopes will be an offensive revolution this season is landing the right player at quarterback. Virginia Tech's five-man quarterback battle has mostly narrowed to a two-horse race at this point, with returning starter Brenden Motley splitting first-team reps with JUCO transfer Jerod Evans.
Motley brings plenty of experience, but he had mostly unspectacular numbers as a part-time starter last season for the Hokies. Evans averaged nearly 400 passing yards per game in junior college ball last year and appears to be the more likely candidate to start in 2016. They'll each split reps again Saturday at Virginia Tech's spring game and look to bring more clarity to a huge competition.
Spring star watch: DT Tim Settle
It's hard to miss Tim Settle for the Hokies, even though he's slimmed down somewhat this offseason to a mammoth 341 pounds in the spring. While Settle might not be an every-down playmaker for the Hokies defense in 2016, he's quite athletic for his size—a practice video showed him fielding punts.
Settle is more at home on the interior of the defensive line, though, where his frame and surprising agility make for quite a handful for opposing offensive linemen. Watch for how Virginia Tech chooses to deploy Settle and if he gets any chance to try something in the spring game that the average defensive tackle wouldn't even dream of doing.
Michigan State
9 of 11
Name: Green-White Spring Game
Time: 3 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network
Location: Spartan Stadium (East Lansing, Michigan)
Top storyline: Reloading for a potential Big Ten title defense
Michigan State is fresh off a College Football Playoff berth and a Big Ten title, and the target will be on the Spartans' backs as they look to repeat ahead of rising rival Michigan and consistent power Ohio State. In order to do that, though, Michigan State will have to break in a dozen new starters—one of the biggest numbers of any team in major college football.
Under Mark Dantonio, Sparty has been a model of consistency in college football, with double-digit wins becoming the norm in East Lansing each season. But after a huge loss of talent on offense and its vaunted defensive front, Michigan State needs to rely on its development track record and the improved recruiting that has happened over the last few years.
Key position battle: Wide receiver
Aaron Burbridge and Macgarrett Kings are gone, taking away the top two receivers from whoever takes over for veteran starter Connor Cook at quarterback—most likely experienced backup Tyler O'Connor. Michigan State brings back R.J. Shelton at wide receiver, but it needs new pieces to step up around him for the 2016 campaign.
The Spartans were able to bring in highly touted true freshman wideouts Donnie Corley and Cam Chambers for spring ball, and Corley has already made a big enough impression to be the first wide receiver taken off the board in Michigan State's draft for Saturday's game. Those two will be key players to watch as they look to lock down playing time in their first few months on campus.
Spring star watch: LB Chris Frey
While the offense is breaking in a bunch of first-time starters this spring, Michigan State is able to enjoy a good deal of depth at linebacker. That depth has produced a spring surprise in Chris Frey, who has zoomed up the team sheets to take over first-team reps at the weak-side linebacker spot formerly held by Darien Harris.
"One thing you notice about Chris when he plays, he's a fiery guy," Michigan State linebacker Riley Bullough said, per Chris Solari of the Lansing State Journal (via the Detroit Free Press). "A lot of people relate me and Chris together all the time. He's someone who’s always constantly competing and trying to get better, and the coaches see that."
Washington
10 of 11
Name: Spring Football Game
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET on Pac-12 Networks
Location: Husky Stadium (Seattle)
Top storyline: Will the Huskies take the next step?
Washington was one of the youngest teams in major college football last season, and it took its lumps early. But behind the work of the Pac-12's best defense and a standout all-freshman backfield, the Huskies turned a corner down the stretch and put together a strong finish with 40-plus points scored in their final three games.
Now Chris Petersen's Huskies have to take advantage of a lot of returning experience—they return 15 starters for the 2016 campaign—and live up to some growing dark-horse hype they've received this offseason in a crowded Pac-12. Washington should grow on offense this year with quarterback Jake Browning and running back Myles Gaskin, and the defense has one of the most feared secondary combos in the country in Budda Baker and Sidney Jones.
Key position battle: Defensive end
Washington has a few holes to fill on its defensive depth chart for 2016, and one of the biggest is at the traditional defensive end spot—opposite the rush-heavy "Buck" end. According to Ryan Priest of UW Dawg Pound, all three players who were listed as defensive ends late last season have either changed positions or are no longer on the team.
This has opened the door for players such as Benning Potoa'e and Jason Scrempos to battle for the starting job this spring. Per Priest, Washington has some true freshman defensive linemen who could break into the depth chart arriving later this year, so Saturday's game will be important for the current ends to leave a strong impression heading into the summer.
Spring star watch: TE Darrell Daniels
Darrell Daniels once lined up at wide receiver for the Huskies, but now he's focused on taking over as the new top tight end this spring. With the departure of Joshua Perkins, Daniels is the one to watch at tight end and could carry over his knack for making big plays this spring into Saturday's scrimmage.
"At Washington's recent 'Husky Combine,' he clocked a 4.44 40 (hand-timed)," Kevin Gemmell of ESPN.com wrote. "At 6'4" and 237 pounds, he could be featured as a pass-catching tight end who quickly becomes a red-zone and third-down favorite for quarterback Jake Browning."
Washington State
11 of 11
Name: Crimson & Gray Spring Game
Time: 4 p.m. ET on Pac-12 Networks
Location: Martin Stadium (Pullman, Washington)
Top storyline: Can the Cougars keep up their momentum?
Although it appeared Washington State was going to be in for a long year after losing to FCS school Portland State in the 2015 season opener, the Cougars rallied to put together an impressive 9-4 record with a 6-3 campaign in the Pac-12. Now, the question is whether head coach Mike Leach can keep the ball rolling in Pullman after a breakout season.
Washington State should have few problems in its Air Raid offense, as uber-efficient quarterback Luke Falk is back and ready to fire more passes to star wide receivers Gabe Marks and River Cracraft. If the Cougars can plug in a few holes on what was an improved defense in 2015, then they can make even more noise in the North Division this fall.
Key position battle: Offensive line
While the top playmakers are pretty much locked into Washington State's offense for 2016, a couple of the players who will have to protect them are not. The Cougars are missing tackle Joe Dahl and guard Gunnar Eklund, and they've been rotating a couple of options at both positions.
Washington State's offensive line surrendered 40 sacks last season, and while the Cougars drop back to pass more than any other team in college football, Leach and Co. would love to see those numbers improve with some new blood up front. The spring game will be a big chance for the quartet of contenders to prove they can be difference-makers in 2016.
Spring star watch: DT Hercules Mata'afa
Washington State has some rebuilding to do on its defensive front, too, and appropriately named defensive lineman Hercules Mata'afa has emerged as a consistent star this spring for the Cougars. He has taken over first-team duties at defensive end this spring and has done nothing but produce in practices.
"The thing Hercules has is a tremendous motor...and with his motor, he's able to, whether it's the quarterback or the running back, he's going to find a way to put himself at the point of attack regardless of where the ball is," Washington State defensive coordinator Alex Grinch said, per Jeff Nusser of Coug Center.
Stats courtesy of CFBStats.com. Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
Justin Ferguson is a National College Football Analyst at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.
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