Colorado and Syracuse have filed paperwork with the NCAA requesting the ability to hold spring practices and a spring game on April, Orange coach Fran Brown said. NCAA bylaws prevent teams from holding intercollegiate practices and exhibition games against each other in the spring.

The NCAA Division I FBS Oversight Committee will meet on April 10 and could decide to allow the waiver. Colorado’s spring game is scheduled for April 19 in Boulder. Fran offered to fly his team for the game as Syracuse has a spring game on April 12.

“For us to be the first to do it at two historic schools would mean a lot,” Brown said. “Two African-American men, too. To have the opportunity of doing that means a lot. Especially with Deion Sanders being an icon.”

On Monday, Colorado’s coach Deion Sanders pitched the idea of scrimmaging another college football team as the Buffaloes prepare for a nationally televised spring game. Many large programs have canceled spring games due to concerns over injuries and the transfer portal. Practicing against real opponents is common in the NFL during its preseason.

Brown quickly accepted the offer to practice and play against Colorado in a competitive spring game. In a quoted social media post, Brown and the Orange proposed to spend three days practicing in Boulder. Although Sanders has not publicly responded, he called Brown “my Dawg” in a quoted post.

“To have a competitive game against your own guys gets kind of monotonous,” Sanders said. “You really can’t tell the level of your guys because it’s the same old. I would like to practice against someone for a few days…”

While this should garner attention for Colorado, the opportunity for both teams is significant. Syracuse improved unexpectedly under first-year coach Fran Brown, achieving 10 wins and ranking No. 21 in the last College Football Playoff Rankings. This was only the second time in the last two decades that Syracuse has reached 10 wins.

Colorado also made significant strides, moving from a 1-11 record to 9-4 over two seasons. However, both programs are undergoing substantial transitions, with Colorado losing Heisman winner Travis Hunter and star quarterback Shedeur Sanders to the NFL Draft. Syracuse also lost quarterback Kyle McCord, who led in passing yards last season.

Normal college football spring games are disappearing as coaches consider recreating NFL-style models which limit the risk of players entering the transfer portal after a visible performance.

Eliminating fan engagement opportunities at these events risks reducing the next generation’s connection to college football. Many major teams like Texas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma have announced the cancellation of their spring games in 2025.