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Subhead: A Season of Renewal for Power Four Programs The first full offseason without an April transfer-portal window has restored a sense of normalcy—and fan-friendly excitement—to college football’s spring calendar. More than 40 Power Four schools have confirmed public spring games in 2026, reversing last year’s dip in participation and attendance. Subhead: Transfer-Portal Calm Opens the Door Coaches spent February and March installing playbooks instead of re-recruiting their own rosters. Administrators credit the NCAA’s decision to scrap the mid-April portal period for the renewed willingness to stage open scrimmages, pointing to fewer last-minute departures and lighter injury fears. Subhead: Are NFL-Style OTAs Next? Conference commissioners are already debating the next evolutionary step: a league-wide adoption of organized team activities similar to the NFL. Early talks center on adding three padded practices in late May, a proposal that could reach the Division I Council before the 2027 cycle. Coaches like Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer say the change would “bridge the gap” between spring ball and summer workouts. Subhead: Key 2026 Spring Game Dates • April 11 – Florida, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Alabama headline a jam-packed SEC Saturday. • April 18 – Ohio State, Georgia, Texas and Oklahoma share the afternoon spotlight. • April 25 – Oregon and Penn State close the Power Four slate before finals week. Many schools will stream their scrimmages on conference networks or ESPN+, giving recruits and armchair scouts a first look at revamped depth charts. Subhead: Quarterback Battles Drive Intrigue No storyline boosts spring ratings like a QB duel. Alabama’s five-star sophomore Jalen Monroe faces Washington transfer Sam Heward, while Tennessee, Florida and Florida State also enter April without a named starter. Expect coaches to withhold final decisions until at least mid-August, but spring performance will shape summer rep distribution. Subhead: What It Means for Fans Tickets remain either free or under $15 at most venues, and campuses are pairing games with youth clinics, concerts and NIL autograph sessions. For programs navigating NIL budgets, a packed house serves a dual purpose: evaluation and engagement. After a year of uncertainty, 2026’s spring slate proves that college football’s most affordable tradition is not only alive but thriving.