Someone just pulled a Nebraska Husker. For decades, spring football games have been an essential tradition for some of the most storied programs in college football. A rite of passage that gave fans a first taste of the future, these scrimmages were more than just glorified practices—they were statements. Statements of progress heading into the fall. The sight of thousands of die-hard supporters filling the stands in April, desperate for a glimpse of their team’s new identity, became as much a part of the offseason as recruiting battles and coaching rumors. Yet, in a surprising turn, one of the most historic programs from LA has decided to break away from the mold. Unlike Matt Rhule, they have an alternative.

Lincoln Riley and USC Trojans become the newest to join the ‘cancel spring games’ movement. The storied powerhouse from Los Angeles has opted to cancel its 2025 spring game, a move first reported by The Los Angeles Times and later confirmed by USC beat writer Ryan Kartje on X. Spring games had been held at USC since Pete Carroll strolled the sidelines of the Coliseum. While the decision might be a disappointment to fans who’ve come to expect the annual Coliseum preview, the Trojans are taking a calculated approach. It’s not a full-scale retreat from public engagement but rather a distinct twist that separates it from the Cornhuskers’ reasoning.

Rather than leaving a void, Lincoln Riley and the Trojans have devised a pair of alternative events aimed at bridging the gap between past and present. In place of the traditional spring game, USC will host a gathering specifically for former players, a move designed to further reinforce the deep bond between the program’s past legends and its current direction. Additionally, the Trojans are planning a separate fan appreciation event later in the summer—one that will be distinct from their usual “Salute to Troy” festivities.

The decision, however, doesn’t come without consequences. USC’s spring game, while not drawing the Huskers- or Ohio State-level attendance numbers, still offered a valuable platform for the team to showcase its talent in front of a home crowd. Without that annual glimpse into the team’s progress, fans will have to wait until the season opener to see their Trojans in action at the Coliseum. Moreover, with Riley keeping spring practices closed to the public since his arrival, the lack of a traditional spring game means USC will maintain a level of secrecy around its roster development that few other programs choose to emulate.

On a broader scale, USC’s move mirrors a growing trend among major programs reconsidering the value of the traditional spring game model. Nebraska’s Rhule made headlines when he pointed to rampant “tampering” in the transfer portal as a key reason for pulling the plug on his team’s spring showcase, suggesting that public scrimmages were providing an unintended scouting opportunity for rival programs. While USC hasn’t explicitly cited the same concerns, the rise of NIL and an increasingly chaotic transfer landscape have undoubtedly played a role in reshaping how schools approach their offseason operations. In some ways, they are inching closer to the NFL model.

While it’s true that Trojans supporters won’t get their typical spring preview, the introduction of new events aimed at alumni and fans signals a shift in priorities rather than a complete departure from engagement. Like these schools…

The rest who dared to cancel Spring Games should learn a few from USC and Riley

Spring football games have long been a beloved tradition—more than just a glorified scrimmage. They’re a chance for die-hard fans to get their first glimpse of the future. Some programs, like Nebraska, Alabama, and Ohio State, have packed their stadiums with crowds of 90,000-plus, turning these mid-April exhibitions into must-watch events.

But as college football evolves—thanks to the transfer portal, NIL deals, and new roster-building strategies—so too are spring games. And for some powerhouse programs other than USC, that means scrapping the traditional format altogether.

Of course, Nebraska’s Matt Rhule was the first to make headlines by deciding to pivot away from the usual intrasquad matchup. Not long after, Ohio State’s Ryan Day followed suit, announcing that the Buckeyes’ 2025 spring game will be more of an extended practice than an actual game. The reasoning? Coaches now prioritize development and roster management over putting on a show.