While the NFL continues its march towards a potential lockout in two weeks, NCAA Football is ready to make its return on the heels of a strong recruiting period. The first step towards the 2012 BCS National Championship Game starts in the coming weeks and months with spring practices and spring games. Just about every university conducts some sort of spring practice and spring game, with some being more successful in drawing huge crowds. Last year Alabama drew over 90,000 fans to their annual Crimson and White game.
This year, all three Bay Area college football teams will be conducting spring practice, but Cal will not be hosting a spring game. None of the schools have conflicting times with the other schools, so in reality you could check out spring practice at all three sites. These dates are a bit tentative as things have already changed once for Cal. I've posted a tentative schedule for the Pac-12. If you notice a mistake or a change after I post this, please post a comment and I'll update the dates.
Cal Golden Bears
Spring Practice: March 29
Spring Game: No game
Stanford Cardinal
Spring Practice: February 21
Spring Game: April 9
San Jose State Spartans
Spring Practice: April 5
Spring Game: April 30
| School | Spring Practice | Spring Game |
| Arizona Wildcats | March 21 | April 16 |
| Arizona St. Sun Devils | March 22 | April 23 |
| California Golden Bears | March 29 | None |
| Colorado Buffaloes | March 11 | April 9 |
| Oregon St. Beavers | March 28 | April 30 |
| Oregon Ducks | March 28 | April 30 |
| Stanford Cardinal | February 21 | April 9 |
| UCLA Bruins | March 28 | April 16 |
| USC Trojans | March 22 | April 23 |
| Utah Utes | March 8 | April 16 |
| Washington St. Cougars | March 31 | April 23 |
| Washington Huskies | March 29 | April 30 |