While basketball is still going on right across the street, Michigan State football has fired back up, beginning with spring practices and Jonathan Smith speaking with the media about the upcoming schedule for his team.
It's the time of year when he prepares for a spring game and it would be his second as Michigan State's head coach but it's been years since the Spartans held a traditional scrimmage.
And it sounds like we're going to have to wait a little longer to see that take place.
On Tuesday afternoon, Smith spoke to the media and said that there isn't going to be a spring game or public showcase this year following the conclusion of spring practices, saying he wants to maximize the 15 practices he's allotted with his team. He claims this has nothing to do with minimizing poaching by other teams of his players, but it's a decision that will have some fans upset.
Jonathan Smith says there won't be a spring game or public showcase of any kind this year. Says part of it is due to stadium work replacing scoreboards but mostly their desire to maximize all 15 practices. Also not looking to minimize potential poaching.
— Matt Wenzel (@mwenzel2) March 18, 2025
Michigan State has held a spring showcase or game for as long as I can remember but it's become more of an opportunity for players to connect with fans before and after the event. It's been a while -- dating back to Mark Dantonio -- since the Spartans actually put on a scrimmage worth attending.
With college football teams only allowed 15 practices during the spring, it makes sense that he doesn't want to utilize one of those for a showcase that really doesn't allow his team to maximize its efforts. A lot of college football teams have announced that they won't hold a spring game this year and Michigan State is just the latest to join the trend.
Will we see one in the future? Hopefully, but for now, no spring game for the Spartans.