By Joseph Michael Ricco IV
Colorado and Syracuse recently teamed up to try something college football has never allowed before: a joint spring game between two Division I programs. The idea, led by Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, was meant to bring more structure and competition to the spring practice period while reducing injury risk and increasing fan interest. Both schools filed a formal waiver request with the NCAA, arguing that the move would benefit players and reflect where the sport is heading. But the NCAA denied the request, pointing to timing, fairness, and academic concerns. This article breaks down what Colorado and Syracuse proposed, how they made their case, and why the NCAA ultimately said no.
What the Schools Proposed
Colorado and Syracuse wanted to replace the usual intrasquad spring game with a three-day joint practice that would end in a full-contact scrimmage between the two programs. The idea came from Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, who said the traditional spring format had become stale and repetitive. He compared it to the NFL, where teams often hold joint practices to increase competition and evaluate talent in a more realistic setting. Syracuse head coach Fran Brown quickly agreed, offering to bring his team to Boulder for the event. Both schools worked together to file the necessary paperwork with the NCAA in hopes of getting a one-time exemption.
The plan was pitched as a pilot program. It would have started with each team holding a separate practice, followed by a non-contact session together, and then a full scrimmage on the final day. The schools also included additional elements like study hall sessions and financial literacy workshops for players. In their request, both programs argued that joint practices could actually lower injury risk by reducing the number of full-speed reps in practice. They also pointed out that similar scrimmages are already allowed at the Division II level. By offering a more structured and competitive spring format, Colorado and Syracuse hoped to give their players a better experience while testing an idea they believe could shape the future of the sport.
Why the NCAA Said No
Despite a detailed plan, the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision oversight committee voted against the proposal. One of the main reasons was timing. Most schools had already scheduled or completed their spring practices by the time Colorado and Syracuse submitted their request. Approving a last-minute change, the committee said, would create confusion and set a precedent that other programs wouldn’t have a fair chance to follow this year.
The committee also pointed to the possibility of a recruiting advantage. Allowing just two schools to hold a spring scrimmage against outside competition, while others were limited to intrasquad games, raised concerns about fairness across the board. NCAA rules are built around providing equal opportunity for all programs, and this request didn’t meet that standard. On top of that, there were academic concerns about players missing class time to travel and participate in the joint practices.
Still, the NCAA didn’t shut the door completely. While the waiver was denied for this spring, the committee said it would continue looking into whether joint practices could be allowed in future seasons. Coaches like Sanders and Brown see value in the idea and may try again next year, this time with more lead time. For now, both schools will stick with the traditional intrasquad format, but the conversation about changing how spring football works is far from over.
Rethinking Spring Practice?
Whether joint spring games ever become part of college football remains to be seen, but the effort by Colorado and Syracuse has at least started the conversation. While this year’s attempt fell short, it brought attention to a growing desire among coaches to rethink how the spring is used to develop players, manage injuries, and engage fans. If the NCAA eventually opens the door to changes in future seasons, this proposal may be remembered as the one that got things moving.
Joseph Michael Ricco IV is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin studying sport management and government. He has experience in recruiting operations with Texas Football, training camp operations with the Kansas City Chiefs, and football data analytics with Pro Football Focus. He also publishes work on sports law topics, including salary cap, NIL, and CBAs. Joseph plans to attend law school and pursue a career in football operations, player personnel, or administration.
References
Libit, D. (2025, April 1). How Colorado, Syracuse privately pitched NCAA on Spring Football. Sportico.com. https://www.sportico.com/leagues/college-sports/2025/colorado-syracuse-ncaa-spring-football-pitch-1234845672/
Parks, J. (2025, March 22). Colorado, Syracuse file paperwork with NCAA for Joint Spring Football Game. CFB-HQ On SI. https://www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq/news/colorado-syracuse-appeal-ncaa-spring-football-game
Rittenberg, A. (2025, March 28). NCAA denies request for Colorado-Syracuse Spring scrimmage. ESPN. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/44448855/ncaa-denies-request-colorado-syracuse-spring-scrimmage
Schrotenboer, B. (2025, April 2). Documents show how Colorado, Syracuse made case for spring game pushed by Deion Sanders. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/04/02/deion-sanders-colorado-spring-game-case-documents-syracuse/82751080007/
