A dying tradition? Not on Coach Prime’s watch. Deion Sanders‘ sole aim was to save spring football from becoming null and void. “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,” he stated. With many teams already opting out of traditional spring games, citing fears of player poaching and injury risks, the innovator conceived a bright idea—“I’m just thinking of a way to improve it, so I want to play against somebody.” This proposition intrigued Syracuse’s HC Fran Brown, who expressed his team’s willingness to face Colorado.

“(Deion Sanders) We will come to Boulder for 3 days,” he wrote on X. But only if it was easier said than done! The NCAA’s verdict came like a wave crashing against the shore, washing away the castles built on the sand. They’re not about to say yes to this innovative spring game model. The decision rubbed Fran Brown the wrong way. It’s a shutdown of a dream. A hurdle in an ambition to salvage spring football?

On3 posted a clip of Fran Brown taking a jab at the NCAA on X on April 1. In the video, the Syracuse HC fired at the officials with a subtle shot, saying, “We should have just told Coach Belichick and Bill O’Brien to come up with it. You know damn well they weren’t about to allow Coach Prime and Fran Brown to be the first two guys to do it.” But he quickly dismissed his statement, saying, “I’m just messing with you NCAA. Don’t get all mad, call my AD and try to fine me. I’m literally joking.” Well, the discontentment is evident.

Deion Sanders and Fran Brown tried to bring something new to college football. A joint spring game between Colorado and Syracuse—two teams playing against each other outside of live games. While other programs like Ohio State and Nebraska are opting out of spring games altogether, the Buffs HC has an even bigger vision. 

“To have a competitive (game) against your own guys kind of gets monotonous. You really can’t tell the level of your guys because it’s the same old, same way,” Deion Sanders stated. And he’s not wrong. “Towards the end, I would like to style it like the pros. I would like to practice against someone for a few days, and then you have the spring game and I think the public will be satisfied with that tremendously.”

But the NCAA busted their bubble when the FBS Oversight Committee decided not to recommend a waiver for the proposal. The reason? Other teams are already deep into their spring practice to set those types of matchups. Besides, it would disrupt academic performance. Then, there are schools that don’t have potential recruiting advantages. The committee did state that they will “review the current rule” and talk about potential opportunities for “joint spring practices in future seasons.” But their decision isn’t met with approval from others either. 

The NCAA’s decision gets slammed

The NCAA’s verdict landed with a thud, and Fox Sports analyst RJ Young wasn’t having it. He didn’t mince words, questioning the logic behind the ruling. “This is one of those where it actually got to be their decision, and they said no, and they said no for reasons that don’t feel anything like on the no,” he stated. “The risk of injury, the other reasons for which you could cite this… The bottom line is no, but the way in which you said no just doesn’t feel on par. It doesn’t feel above board.” 

Young’s frustration echoed a growing sentiment. If the NCAA can’t get a grip on the transfer portal and NIL chaos, why shut down innovative ideas by programs? Like Fran Brown, the analyst took a step further, calling out potential bias. “If Kirby Smart and Ryan Day wanted to do this, would we be getting this kind of pushback? Would the NCAA say no to a request that would be filed by Ohio State’s head coach and Georgia’s head coach, or was it because it was Colorado and Syracuse?” That’s something worth pondering about. 

While tradition holds its place, Coach Prime operates with a different philosophy—throwing his players into the fire of pressure during spring games to see who can truly handle it. This vision isn’t his alone. Even Oklahoma State’s HC, Mike Gundy, has voiced enthusiasm for reigniting the historic Bedlam rivalry with a spring showdown against Brent Venables’ Sooners. Joey McGuire is also a strong supporter of Sanders’ recent push for college football teams to engage in joint offseason practices or even spring games against other programs. Despite this clear and growing desire for change, the NCAA sidelined this innovative idea. But do you think Deion Sanders’ brainchild is a good one? More spice into the mix? Or did the NCAA actually get this one right?