News Article: Nebraska Considering Canceling Spring Game to Combat Poaching

[jthomas666]

Nebraska's spring game likely canceled as transfer portal has made it detrimental, Rhule says

The Nebraska spring game likely won’t be held going forward because of coach Matt Rhule’s concern about other teams poaching his players.

apnews.com

“The word ‘tampering’ doesn’t exist anymore,” Rhule said Saturday at his midwinter news conference. “It’s just an absolute free open common market. I don’t necessarily want to open up to the outside world and have people watch our guys and say, ‘He looks like a pretty good player. Let’s go get him.’”

 

[Elefantman]

So if Nebraska didn't have a spring game, would anyone notice?

 

[DzynKingRTR]

So if Nebraska didn't have a spring game, would anyone notice?

is it even televised? Who is watching Nebraska spring games? I wouldn't watch if they paid me.

 

[Elefantman]

I'm sure ESPN is panicking about the potential advertising revenue loss if they cancel.

 

[B1GTide]

is it even televised? Who is watching Nebraska spring games? I wouldn't watch if they paid me.

I am hearing that they will still have the scrimmage, just without fans and TV.

 

[Elefantman]

Well playing without fans will give them experience for what they will see during the regular season.

 

[rolltd]

Well the coach has a point, it will be open season

 

[crimsonaudio]

Sad that it's come to this.

 

[davefrat]

I don't blame him one bit.

They're probably a couple players away from being a pretty good team but also a couple players away from having a losing season.

Rebuilding a program is going to be very difficult moving forward as things are.

 

[rolltide_21]

Sad that it's come to this.

💯 the team really is irrelevant. Shows the problem that CFB has right now. I’m sure many coaches feel this way. I’ve always appreciated Rhule.

 

[TDBama78]

If you're a head coach in today's college football environment and your standing on principle your backing up. Even Dabo has caved some on his stance in order to be competitive. Until the right changes are made you'll have what we've got. So if CMR is worried about someone poaching some of his players he needs to have a list of players he's going to poach off of someone else's team . I don't care how he tries to prevent it , if someone wants one of his players they'll find a way.

 

[TitleWave]

Undoubtedly in his preemptive cancellation strike, Rhule had learned from NFL sources of Belichick plotting Larry the Cable Guy Gate.

 

[DrollTide]

I think we could cut out the spring game, the regular season, the post season, skip all the injuries and CTE, and award the championship based on the number of billionaires on your roster.

 

[AlexanderFan]

If you're a head coach in today's college football environment and your standing on principle your backing up. Even Dabo has caved some on his stance in order to be competitive. Until the right changes are made you'll have what we've got. So if CMR is worried about someone poaching some of his players he needs to have a list of players he's going to poach off of someone else's team . I don't care how he tries to prevent it , if someone wants one of his players they'll find a way.

I think he’s trying to prevent teams finding the diamonds in the rough on his team. Guys who haven’t played much yet, or just got on the team.

 

[davefrat]

I think he’s trying to prevent teams finding the diamonds in the rough on his team. Guys who haven’t played much yet, or just got on the team.

Exactly.

He doesn’t want the spring game to basically be a recruiting tool for other schools who may see someone they weren’t familiar with who can fill a need and then try to poach them.

 

[AlexanderFan]

Exactly.

He doesn’t want the spring game to basically be a recruiting tool for other schools who may see someone they weren’t familiar with who can fill a need and then try to poach them.

Imagine losing Josh Jacobs because he showed out at the spring game before he even played.

 

[TideMan09]

Yup..That's cray talk is too valuable football wise too deny the team those reps during the off-season..

 

[Isaiah 63:1]

This will tend to backfire on Nebraska. If you can limit my ability to be noticed in a spring game, how else will you limit my potential? I’ll be less likely to consider Nebraska AT ALL.

 

[B1GTide]

This will tend to backfire on Nebraska. If you can limit my ability to be noticed in a spring game, how else will you limit my potential? I’ll be less likely to consider Nebraska AT ALL.

It is Nebraska. It won't hurt them. They know who they are and where their players come from. They just want to keep the few that they can get.

 

[davefrat]

It is Nebraska. It won't hurt them. They know who they are and where their players come from. They just want to keep the few that they can get.

Hard as it is for some of us older posters to imagine, but NE should be happy if they can just have a winning program that contends for a playoff spot every few years.

The hill they have to climb all things considered is enormous.