Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa State Cancel Spring Games Due to Thunderstorms

Major League Baseball isn't the only one feeling the impact of Mother Nature right now—the college football world has now been affected as well. 

The Iowa State Cyclones, the Wisconsin Badgers and the Michigan Wolverines are among the teams that have canceled their spring games this weekend due to impending inclement weather:

None of the scrimmages will be rescheduled.

Canceling the spring showcase can be a tough break for players, coaches and fans all around. It's one less opportunity for players to prove themselves, and the coaching staffs will not be able to evaluate their teams in a relatively big spotlight, at least for this time of year.

And of course, it prevents fans from getting a chance to see their team take the field for the first time in months. 

However, safety comes first.

"We are disappointed for our fans and players' families that this opportunity to see our team compete at Michigan Stadium will not be possible due to weather concerns," Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said, per Dave Ablauf and Chad Shepard of the Wolverines' official website. "We made a decision that was in the best interest of our fans, student-athletes and volunteer staff needed to organize this event."

Iowa State echoed similar thoughts.

"The only thing you feel bad for is our fan base because you love the opportunity for our kids to get out," Cyclones coach Matt Campbell told reporters on Monday. "Our fans have been so awesome to us the last two years, in terms of showing up and have been such a huge, huge piece of why that's been such a positive event."

Spring games help break up a long offseason and gives teams and fan bases reason to get excited in April—even though these contests are just scrimmages. As much as everyone involved wants to see football during the spring, it's not worth risking the safety of players (as well as coaches and fans) to hold a meaningless exhibition in dangerous conditions.