Spring games at the big schools aren't going away anytime soon given the fact that at places like Nebraska they pack in 80,000+ people to watch but this year NDSU announced there would be no spring game for the first time that I can recall for a non-flood related reason. The impetus behind this is they've got 18 players either not participating or limited for spring ball due to injury so putting together 2 teams is pretty much impossible without any of the incoming freshmen. For the last few years NDSU has gone to a purely offense vs defense "game" where the defense gets points for things like sacks, TFLs, turnovers, 3 and outs, etc instead of having two full squads. NDSU has actually drawn over 5,000 fans now for several years (all speculative because there is no gate admission for spring games here) and even had it broadcast on statewide television.

At his press conference yesterday NDSU head coach Chris Klieman said he's heard plenty of chatter from other coaches about how spring games may be going the way of the dodo. Additionally he speculated that the NCAA may start limiting the number of contact practices that can happen in the spring as well.

I know Youngstown St didn't have a spring game for the last 2 years and now NDSU will not have one this year (although they will have a public "practice" or exhibition of sorts on Friday 4/20 to give fans a look at the young guys). Any other FCS schools out there who may be going or have gone away from a tradition spring game? What are your thoughts as a fan on the value or lack thereof for these games?