The University of Texas will be eliminating its spring football game in favor of a restructuring of its practice schedule, adopting a strategy akin to the NFL’s organized team activities. Steve Sarkisian, head coach, suggested that the change comes from the increasing workload during the season and the evolving nature of college football.

“I just don’t know if rolling the ball out, playing the game, when we only get 15 practices, is the best for us to maximize the opportunities that we get,” Sarkisian explained. Translation: Sarkisian expresses concern that traditional spring games may not be the most effective use of their limited practice time.

In lieu of the traditional spring game, Texas aims to emulate NFL OTAs to better prepare their players, a shift that is becoming more common among major programs due to concerns such as roster tampering from the rising transfer portal.

Similar concerns have led other coaches, such as Matt Rhule of Nebraska, to forgo spring games as well.