Spring practice is typically a time for college football teams to shake off the rust. With the introduction, new faces to the playbook set the foundation for the upcoming season. For the Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes, this spring holds even greater significance.
As the program enters its third year under the guidance of Sanders, the departure of key stars like Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter to the NFL has left a new wave of talent eager to step into the spotlight.
Deion Sanders’ Plan To Revolutionize the Spring Game
However, Coach Prime isn’t interested in running a traditional spring game. Instead, he’s pushing for an innovative twist that could change the way college football approaches its spring exhibitions.
Unlike the usual intrasquad scrimmages, where a team splits in two and plays against itself, Sanders envisions a different approach. He wants his players to go up against another program in a competitive game, just like NFL teams do during joint practices.
“The Spring Game will be televised on ESPN2… on the 19th (April),” Sanders said.
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“We got to sell this thing out and pack this thing because the way the trend is going, you never know if this is going to be the last spring game. I don’t believe in that. I don’t really want to condone that. I would like to play in the spring. Actually, I (would) like to play against another team in the spring. That’s what I’m trying to do right now.”
For Sanders, an intrasquad matchup doesn’t provide the best evaluation of his team’s capabilities. Familiarity among teammates makes it difficult to assess how well players can adapt to different schemes, styles, and pressure situations. He believes that matching up against another program would create a far more valuable experience.
“To have a competitive (game) against your own guys kind of gets monotonous,” Sanders explained.
“You really can’t tell the level of your guys because, you know, it’s the same old, same way. Everybody kind of know each other. Towards the end, I would like to style it like the pros. I would like to practice against someone for a few days, then you have the spring game, and I think the public will be satisfied with that tremendously… I’ve told those personnel who should understand that it’s a tremendous idea.”
Will the NCAA Allow Sanders’ Spring Game Format?
The big question remains: is Sanders’ plan even possible within NCAA regulations? While the concept of joint practices and inter-team scrimmages has been a staple in the NFL for years, college football has largely stuck to the tradition of intrasquad matchups in the spring.
Sanders, however, is not one to sit back and wait for approval. He has made it clear that he intends to push the boundaries and set a precedent for what could become a new norm in college football. His approach aligns with the increasing professionalization of the sport, as NIL deals and the transfer portal have already made the landscape more dynamic than ever before.
As the debate over the future of spring games unfolds, Sanders is taking the lead in shaping the conversation. While some coaches may be hesitant to embrace change, Sanders sees an opportunity to make spring football more competitive, engaging, and beneficial for both players and fans.
KEEP READING: Fran Brown Open to Deion Sanders’ Proposal for Joint Spring Practice With Colorado
Whether or not the NCAA adapts to his vision, one thing is certain—Coach Prime is determined to keep Colorado in the national spotlight and elevate the standard for college football’s offseason.
As the Buffaloes prepare for their April 19 spring game, the focus won’t just be on the players hitting the field.
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