10 Must-Watch Spring College Games

10 must-watch spring college football games

PUBLISHED 19 hours and 40 minutes ago

Dave Curtis Sporting News

Spring games often fall into one of two categories. Some teams are set with their scheme and their depth chart, and they approach the spring game as a please-nobody-get-hurt chore. Others need the scene in the stadium, and the pressures of a closing scrimmage, to help determine who starts and who sits in the fall.

Consider this a spring game filter, with the contests that matter demanding your attention. Here are 10 scrimmages – or, more accurately, 10 quarterback battles, worth watching in coming weekends:

LSU (Saturday)

With playmakers on the outside, a loaded defense and a solid offensive line, even LSU’s players can say what needs to improve most in 2011. “We know we need our quarterbacks to play better than they have,” receiver Russell Shepard told Sporting News this winter. Jordan Jefferson continues to be the apparent leader and could all but assure himself the No. 1 job with a good scrimmage.

Clemson (Saturday)

The typically talented Tigers have turned to new offensive coordinator Chad Morris, a high school coach two years ago, and his high-tempo scheme to jumpstart the program. Fans get their first peek at the new look, with promising Tajh Boyd running the show.

TCU (Saturday)

Coach Gary Patterson figures the toughest tests for quarterback Casey Pachall will come in situations like the spring game. “He’s not going to play against any defense any better than in practice,” Patterson said. “He’s not going to see any more looks.” Pachall, Andy Dalton’s successor, goes head-to-head with the Frogs’ D this weekend.

Florida (Saturday)

Will Muschamp, Charlie Weis and much of the coaching staff makes its Orange and Blue Debut in The Swamp. Attention will center on John Brantley, who’s back in the pro-style scheme in which he set Florida state records in high school.

Louisville (Apr. 15)

Focus is on the pass game in this Friday night special. Will Stein leads the quarterback derby but needs another solid outing to sew up the position. Cornerback remains a question mark, too. How UL’s young defensive backs play to end the spring will give a fall forecast for this defense.

Auburn (Apr. 16)

The quarterback competition at the other in-state power – Alabama’s A.J. McCarron vs. Phillip Sims – might mean more to the national championship chase. But AU’s Barrett Trotter and Clint Moesely’s fight for the starting job carries more intrigue. Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn makes quarterbacks great. Whomever he dubs this year figures to enjoy a big season on the Plains.

Penn State (April 16)

Rob Bolden or Matt McGloin? Matt McGloin or Rob Bolden. Penn State’s concerns stretch deeper than quarterback, especially to the lines of scrimmage. But in the Blue-White Game’s controlled environment, the McGloin-Bolden duel will be center-stage.

Missouri (April 16)

Tyler Gabbert says he has leapfrogged James Franklin in Mizzou’s quarterback contest. Coach Gary Pinkel says Gabbert has pulled even with his play throughout the spring. This scrimmage should solidify Blaine’s brother as the Tigers’ QB of the future.

Ohio State (April 23)

Twenty-four departing seniors, plus five suspended players, have made this Ohio State’s most interesting spring in years. This scrimmage could lift Joe Bauserman or Kenny Guiton to the starting position in the first five games (during Terrelle Pryor’s suspension).

UCLA (April 23)

The players have changed, the assistant coaches have changed. Time for progress, or time for the head coach to change, too. The Bruins and coach Rick Neuheisel need a quarterback to emerge, as the spring game provides a perfect occasion. And the team must show more energy, or some sign that it wants to win in the Pac-12.