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What to look for and what matters for the weekend's biggest spring games.
Alabama
The Tide has several holes to fill on both sides of the ball, but the defense is expected to be fine, the offensive line appears strong, and the passing game will work with quarterback AJ McCarron taking a step forward. Replacing running back Trent Richardson is the big concern, especially with most of the backfield banged up. This will be the chance for massive 240-plus pound back Jalston Fowler to build off a great offseason. He can create a buzz with a nice showing.
Arizona
How far along has Rich Rodriguez’s new no-huddle spread offense come in 15 practices? The attack is a work-in-progress, with players being mixed and matched all the time, but Matt Scott seems to have locked up the starting quarterback job.
Auburn
And the Tiger starting quarterback will be … ? Kiehl Frazier is the front-runner at the moment, partly because Clint Moseley hasn’t been able to show all he can do thanks to an injured shoulder and Zeke Pike is learning the ropes as a true freshman. This will be the first chance for new offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler to show off his attack – or at least a little bit of it – and the best-looking passer will have a big leg up going into the summer.
Baylor
It’s the post-Robert Griffin era, and this will be a shot for new starting quarterback Nick Florence to show that the offense can still move. He might not be the flashy playmaker that RGIII was, but he’s experienced and has a live arm. A crisp performance would ease fears that Baylor might go back to the pre-Griffin days.
Boise State
It’s the first big unveiling of the post-Kellen Moore era, and unlike most spring games, this one will matter. The Broncos are still trying to find their starting quarterback, and with the battle between Grant Hedrick, Nick Patti, Jimmy Laughrea, and the slight leader of the pack, Joe Southwick. The job is there for the taking.
Clemson
Saturday’s spring game will be everyone’s first good chance to get a look at new coordinator Brent Venables’ defense. While the results won’t automatically translate into September, facing Sammy Watkins, Andre Ellington and Tajh Boyd will be a pretty good test regardless of the time of year.
Florida State
The Seminoles O-line, the most scrutinized unit of the offseason, has impressed the coaching staff so far in practice. Needing to mesh long before the opener, the front wall has a chance to use the spring game as a springboard into the summer.
Georgia
Will the offensive line be better? Part of the problem has been a dominant offseason by the great-looking defensive line, highlighted by tackles Kwame Geathers and John Jenkins, but it would be nice if the offensive front can show a bit of a push in the final practice. Unfortunately, they won’t be blocking for hotshot new running back Keith Marshall, who has a slight leg injury.
Miami
The spring game will be a particularly big moment for ‘Canes QB Ryan Williams, who tenuously sits atop the depth chart. He’s been up-and-down in practice, and needs to make a mark before his primary competition, Stephen Morris, returns from injury.
Michigan
With injuries a bit of a concern and the coaching staff wanting to be cautious, don’t expect a normal game. Instead, it’ll be more offense vs. defense drills with a few quirks added to keep things interesting. The big storyline, besides ongoing concerns about the rebuilding on both lines, is the #GOBLUE that’ll be placed next to the M on the field during the session.
Missouri
The Tiger offseason has mostly been about the injured players out of the mix – most notably quarterback James Franklin and running back Henry Josey – but the final practice will focus on quarterback Corbin Berkstresser and how he’s progressing. Unlike Franklin, Berkstresser is a big bomber who might add more to the passing game. This will be his chance to show what he can do.
Nebraska
Waiting for the Huskers to come out roaring offensively and show that there are more options than just quarterback Taylor Martinez and running back Rex Burkhead to count on? Don’t hold your breath. Expect nothing but vanilla in the Husker spring game, mostly because the coaching staff is still trying to figure out what it has to work with.
Oklahoma
The Sooners aren’t going to have a spring game as much as an offense vs. defense scrimmage. The big buzz this offseason has been about Trey Metoyer, who’s turning heads as the possible next great wide receiver, and a big performance might make him a hot player on a national scale. More than anything else, the hope is to keep everyone healthy, especially on a depleted offensive line.
South Carolina
Oh that wacky Steve Spurrier. After talking up backup quarterback Connor Shaw over the last few years, even though Stephen Garcia was the main man, now it’s Dylan Thompson who’s getting the praise this spring. Shaw is the unquestioned starter going into the season, but talk of the patented Spurrier QB shuffle might start if Thompson and/or Seth Strickland shine.
Stanford
All eyes will be on junior Brett Nottingham and senior Josh Nunes, the two quarterbacks vying to replace Andrew Luck. The pair has built separation in a five-man race, but head coach David Shaw is still looking for a bona fide leader.
USC
Second-year WR Marqise Lee does not appear content to play in the shadow of anyone this season, even All-American teammate Robert Woods. He continues to improve this spring, consistently drawing rave reviews from Lane Kiffin and the staff.
Vanderbilt
Will the Commodores have more of a passing game? There was some hope of Maryland transfer Danny O’Brien to choose Vandy, but instead he’s going to Wisconsin leaving a big battle between Jordan Rodgers and Austyn Carta-Samuels. Rodgers put up a good final half of last year, but several options are looking to add more pop to the attack. Carta-Samuels, a former transfer from Wyoming, is getting every shot.
