{"id":72658,"date":"2025-02-28T12:00:35","date_gmt":"2025-02-28T17:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=72658"},"modified":"2025-09-13T16:11:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T20:11:08","slug":"sec-tailgate-talk-sec-spring-game-dates-and-details","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2025\/02\/28\/sec-tailgate-talk-sec-spring-game-dates-and-details\/","title":{"rendered":"SEC Tailgate Talk: SEC Spring Game Dates and Details"},"content":{"rendered":"

Didn’t the season just end? Yep, it did. But now it’s time for Spring practice to begin. Things might look slightly different this Spring in the SEC, but we have you covered for all of your SEC Spring game dates and details.<\/p>\n

SEC Tailgate Talk: SEC Spring Practice Dates & Cocktails<\/h2>\n

Texas and Alabama Take an “NFL Approach” to Spring Practice<\/h3>\n

Texas and Alabama<\/a>, two of the SEC\u2019s premier programs, are no strangers to sending players to the NFL. But for their 2025 Spring games, the NFL is coming to them\u2014at least in spirit. Alabama\u2019s Golden Flake A-Day Spring Game is set for Saturday, April 12. However, both the Crimson Tide and Longhorns are shifting their approach to align with NFL-style development, prioritizing structured practices over a traditional Spring game.<\/p>\n

Kalen DeBoer explained that the shift will enable the Tide to focus on drills and development.\u201cOur approach is going to be a little bit more NFL-driven, kind of more of an OTA style early on, and as we grow into more of the scrimmage formats in the second half of spring ball \u2026 I just don\u2019t 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.”<\/p>\n

Steve Sarkisian echoed similar sentiments.”I don’t know if rolling the ball out and playing the game when we only get 15 (spring) practices is the best for us,” Sarkisian said. “We’ve got 21 mid-year high school guys that just showed up, so the development needed to get these guys ready for the fall is a little bit different than it used to be,” Sarkisian told sportscaster Kay Adams. “So our approach is going to be a little more NFL-driven.”<\/p>\n

Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte acknowledged the shift might disappoint some fans but stressed the bigger picture. “I know people are disappointed about a traditional game, but the ultimate goal is to win a championship, and the health and wellness of our student-athletes is most important,” he said. “It\u2019s unusual, playing a 16-game schedule, but every year, we want to play that 17th game. I applaud Steve for his thinking. I understand the disappointment, but you have to look at it in its totality.” Texas has made it to the College Football Semifinals in the last two years.<\/p>\n

Missouri “Under Construction”<\/h3>\n

Missouri is the only SEC team that will not hold a Spring game in 2025. The Tigers will have 13 total practices but no scrimmage, OTA, or even give out free high-fives to the fans. Why? Are other teams poaching their players? No, never. It wouldn’t happen. Would it? The official reason is construction. The team announced that due to the Memorial Stadium Centennial Project construction impacts during each of the next two off-seasons, Mizzou football will not be holding a Spring Game in 2025 or 2026. Not a great way to engage the fans or try to build off back-to-back ten-win seasons. For a conference that values the fan experience, it just means less in Columbia.<\/p>\n

Kentucky Is Going To Do “Something” at their Spring Game<\/h3>\n

Kentucky<\/a> was not great in 2024. The Wildcats were 1-7 in the league and, at times, looked lifeless. 2025 may or may not be different, but BBN will get its first look at the team on April 12. While the format is not finalized yet, Mark Stoops shared how the team is ready to do “something.”\u00a0 \u201cI want to do something. It\u2019s a little early. I think we\u2019re in really good shape. Healthy right now. I want to open it up and show you guys and show the fans and make sure you guys and the fans get access,\u201d Stoops told the media on Tuesday at Kroger Field. \u201cWhether it\u2019s a practice or Spring game. However, we format it. I want to do something.\u201d Here’s to something. May it be everything.<\/p>\n

Stark Vegas Has a Nice Little Weekend Planned<\/h3>\n

April 19th is shaping up to be a nice little weekend<\/a> in Stark Vegas. While a trip to the Home Depot or Bed Bath and Beyond (if you have time, or they were still open) may not be on the list for Bulldog fans. Mississippi State fans will get their first look at the Bulldogs in 2025 during the Spring Game on Saturday, April 19.<\/p>\n

Come for the football, but stay for the art and baseball. On Saturday, April 19, Starkville will also host The Cotton District Arts Festival, presented by the Starkville Area Arts Council. The festival blends incredible art, music, and food into a showcase event. Fans can also be treated to one of the best teams and baseball atmospheres in college baseball. Hail State hosts Florida for a three-game series at Dudy Noble Field. The games will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Missouri fans should take note of what an SEC Spring game weekend should look like.<\/p>\n

Come to the Grove Bowl<\/h3>\n

While Texas and Alabama aim to mirror the NFL, Lane Kiffin continues to take a different approach. He has successfully turned the Rebels<\/a> into one of the most intriguing teams in the SEC\u2014not just for their performance on the field but also for his entertaining presence on social media. Last year, Kiffin made a smart move by transforming the traditional SEC Spring game into an engaging event for fans. The Grove Bowl is expected to return to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on April 19 this year.<\/p>\n

The Grove Bowl Games will consist of four quarters of 7-on-7 flag football, with fan-friendly events between each quarter:<\/p>\n