BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — In a time when programs are rethinking their annual spring football game, Deion Sanders has his own suggestion — bring in another team.

Just like the NFL sometimes does before exhibition games.

The Colorado coach figures with just about everything else changing in college football — transfer portal, name image likeness deals, roster limitations — it's about time to find a way to make what’s usually an intra-squad scrimmage better for fans and teams alike. Such a change would require the NCAA to alter its rules on spring ball.

“To have it competitive, playing against your own guys kind of gets monotonous,” Sanders said Monday in his first news conference since last season. “You really can’t tell the level of your guys because, it’s the same old, same old — everybody kind of knows each other.”

His concept would be similar to a preseason game in the NFL, where a team comes in for a few days of joint practices before their exhibition game.

“I think the public will be satisfied with that tremendously,” Sanders said. “I think it’s a tremendous idea. I’ve told those personnel who should understand that’s a tremendous idea.”

At least one coach agrees — and even pitched a trip to Boulder. Syracuse coach Fran Brown said on social media he would take his team there for a three-day trip.

Nebraska recently announced it is replacing its spring football game with skills competitions and 7-on-7 games at Memorial Stadium on April 26. This comes on the heels of Cornhuskers coach Matt Rhule expressing concerns about other teams scouting players in the scrimmage and possibly poaching them through the transfer portal.

While the spring game remains a big draw, some schools in recent years have started to move away from traditional scrimmages because of smaller rosters and the risk of player injuries. Nebraska, Texas, Ohio State and Southern California are among programs ending the tradition this spring.

Colorado will hold its spring game this season on April 19 at Folsom Field. It will be broadcast on ESPN2.

“We've got to sell this thing out and pack this thing because the way the trend is going, you never know if this is going to be the last spring game,” Sanders said. “I don’t believe in that. I don’t really want to condone that. I would like to play the spring game. Actually, I like to play against another team in the spring.”

All in the family

Plenty of mock NFL drafts have QB Shedeur Sanders slipping down in the first round next month after he chose not to throw at the scouting combine and his brother, DB Shilo Sanders, not hearing his phone ring for any of the 257 picks.

Deion Sanders wonders what his own draft experience — he was selected fifth overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 1989 — would have been like in today’s world.

“They receive a lot more ignorance than I did,” Sanders said of his sons. “I received some, but we didn’t have the social media channels and all the different things that’s privy today … I mean, you’ve got to understand, I was a two-sport guy at the time, so you could imagine what it would have been like with all the hate and the naysayers.”

Sanders said he knows his sons can handle any and all flack coming their way as the NFL draft approaches.

“You’ve got to take a shot at somebody and you might as well take a shot at a Sanders," he said. “We’re built for this.”

Contract extension

Sanders downplayed talk about his contract extension, saying “there may be" discussions. "I don't know.”

What he's lobbying for is raises for his staff.

"Let's get everybody else straight first, then I'm good," he said,

Sanders signed a five-year, $29.5 million deal before the 2023 season. The Buffaloes went 4-8 that year and 9-4 last season.

Pro days

Deion Sanders plans to attend the Big 12 Pro Day this week in Frisco, Texas. Shedeur and Shilo Sanders, and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter are among the Buffaloes who are expected to attend. Sanders said some of his players may not participate and wait for Colorado's pro day — which the Buffs are now calling a “skills showcase” — on April 4.

Livingston's deal

A top priority for the Buffaloes was retaining defensive coordinator Robert Livingston. They rewarded the architect behind the defensive unit's turnaround with a new two-year deal that makes him the highest-paid assistant in program history. Livingston will earn $1.5 million next season and $1.6 million in 2026.

“Rob was on everybody’s list to try to secure his services, and he deserves everything he got coming and then some,” Sanders said. “When you win, you expect your staff to be ravaged. You expect that."

National League West Preview Capsules

A team-by-team look at the National League West, including key players each club acquired and lost, top hitters and projected rotations, and outlooks for the 2025 season.

Los Angeles Dodgers

2024: 98-64, won World Series.

Manager: Dave Roberts (10th season).

Opening day: March 18 vs. Chicago Cubs at Tokyo, Japan.

He’s Here: LHP Blake Snell, RHP Roki Sasaki, OF Michael Conforto, INF Hyeseong Kim, LHP Tanner Scott, RHP Kirby Yates.

He’s Outta Here: RHP Walker Buehler, RHP Jack Flaherty, OF Kevin Kiermaier, RHP Brent Honeywell, RHP Daniel Hudson, INF Gavin Lux, RHP Joe Kelly.

Top Hitters: DH Shohei Ohtani (.310, 54 HRs, 130 RBIs, 1.036 OPS), 1B Freddie Freeman (.282, 22, 89, .854 OPS), SS Mookie Betts (.289, 19, 75, .863 OPS), 2B/CF Tommy Edman (.237, 6, 20, .711 OPS), OF Teoscar Hernández (.272, 33, 99, .840 OPS).

Projected Rotation: LH Blake Snell (5-3, 3.12 ERA), RH Tyler Glasnow (9-6, 3.49), RH Yoshinobu Yamamoto (7-2, 3.00), RH Roki Sasaki (10-5, 2.35 in Japanese League), RH Shohei Ohtani (10-5, 3.14 with Angels in 2023), RH Tony Gonsolin (8-5, 4.98 in 2023), RH Dustin May (4-1, 2.63 in 2023), LH Clayton Kershaw (2-2, 4.50).

Key Relievers: LH Tanner Scott (9-6, 1.75 ERA, career-high 22 with Marlins and Padres), RH Michael Kopech (6-8, 3.46, 15 with White Sox and Dodgers), RH Evan Phillips (5-1, 3.62, 18), RH Blake Treinen (7-3, 1.93, 1).

Outlook: The Dodgers are primed for another World Series run, having added even more talent during the offseason including Snell, Sasaki and Scott. Ohtani will return to being a two-way player after a monstrous offensive performance in 2024 that included his third career MVP award. He won’t be ready to pitch until at least May as he rehabs from offseason surgery and it’ll be interesting to see how that affects his offense. Kershaw expects to go on the 60-day injured list following offseason foot and knee surgery and hopes to be close to ready when he is eligible to be activated. Most of the bullpen is back, although Brusdar Graterol will miss at least the first half of the season following shoulder surgery. Betts returns to being the everyday shortstop, a move that was interrupted last season when he hurt his hand. 1B Freddie Freeman — forever in Dodgers lore for his walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series — looks to return to ironman status after missing time last year due to multiple injuries and his young son’s illness. The Dodgers have invested big bucks in their 63-year-old stadium — third-oldest in the majors — with renovations to the home and visitor clubhouses as well as batting cages.

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San Diego Padres

2024: 93-69, second place, wild card, lost to Dodgers in Division Series.

Manager: Mike Shildt (second season).

Opening day: March 27 vs. Atlanta.

He’s Here: RHP Nick Pivetta, OF Jason Heyward, 1B/OF Connor Joe, INF Jose Iglesias, LHP Kyle Hart.

He’s Outta Here: OF Jurickson Profar, INF Ha-Seong Kim, LHP Tanner Scott, C Kyle Higashioka, INF Donovan Solano, OF David Peralta.

Top Hitters: RF Fernando Tatís Jr. (.276, 21 homers, 49 RBIs, .833 OPS in 102 games), 3B Manny Machado (.275, 29, 105, .797 OPS), CF Jackson Merrill (.292, 24, 90, .826 OPS), 1B/DH Luis Arráez (.318, 4, 41, .744 OPS), 1B Jake Cronenworth (.241, 17, 83, .714 OPS), SS Xander Bogaerts (.264, 11, 44).

Projected Rotation: RH Dylan Cease (14-11, 3.47 ERA, 224 Ks in 189 1/3 innings), RH Michael King (13-9, 2.95 ERA, 1.19 WHIP), RH Yu Darvish (7-3, 3.31 ERA, 1.07 WHIP in 16 starts), RH Nick Pivetta (6-12, 4.14 ERA, 1.13 WHIP for Red Sox), LH Kyle Hart (13-3, 2.69 ERA for NC Dinos of KBO).

Key Relievers: RH Robert Suarez (9-3, 2.77 ERA, 36/42 saves), RH Jason Adam (7-2, 1.95 ERA, 0.86 WHIP for Rays and Padres), RH Jeremiah Estrada (6-3, 2.95 ERA, 94 Ks in 61 innings), LH Adrian Morejon (3-2, 2.83 ERA, 71 Ks in 63 2/3 innings).

Outlook: After stretching the archrival Dodgers to the limit in a thrilling Division Series last October, the Padres’ veteran-laden roster is back for another crack at knocking off the powerhouse 90 miles to the north. Tatís and Machado headline a talented lineup that should be able to shake off its season-ending scoring drought against the Dodgers while also compensating for Profar’s departure. Early-spring signee Pivetta supplements Cease, King and Darvish at the top of a solid rotation. The bullpen is also loaded with options behind All-Star closer Suarez. San Diego has maintained a championship-contending roster in the second season since owner Peter Seidler’s death, with GM A.J. Preller giving this smaller-market franchise every chance to contend with the Dodgers and the rest of the NL. Now they just need to get it done.

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Arizona Diamondbacks

2024: 89-73, third place.

Manager: Torey Lovullo (ninth season).

Opening day: March 27 vs. Cubs.

He’s Here: 1B Josh Naylor, INF Grae Kessinger, RHP Corbin Burnes, RHP Kendall Graveman.

He’s Outta Here: 1B Christian Walker, DH Joc Pederson, IF Kevin Newman, 1B/DH Josh Bell, SP Slade Cecconi, RP Paul Sewald.

Top Hitters: 1B Josh Naylor (.243, 31 HRs, 108 RBIs with Guardians), OF Corbin Carroll (.231, 22, 14 triples, 35 stolen bases), 2B Ketel Marte (.292, 36, 95), 3B Eugenio Suarez (.256, 30, 101), OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (.279, 18, 75), OF Jake McCarthy (.285, 56, 25 SBs), C Gabriel Moreno (.266, .353 OBP, 45 RBIs)

Projected Rotation: RH Corbin Burnes (15-9, 2.92 ERA, 181 Ks with Orioles), RH Zac Gallen (14-6, 3.65 ERA, 156 Ks), RH Brandon Pfaadt (11-10, 4.71 ERA, 185 Ks), RH Merrill Kelly (5-1, 4.03 ERA), LH Eduardo Rodriguez (3-4, 5.04 ERA)

Key Relievers: RH Justin Martinez (5-6, 2.48 ERA, eight saves), LH A.J. Puk (4-9, 3.15 ERA with Marlins and D-backs), RH Kevin Ginkel (8-3, 3.21 ERA), LH Joe Mantiply (6-2, 3.92 ERA), RH Ryan Thompson (7-5, 3.26 ERA)

Outlook: The Diamondbacks barely missed the playoffs last season, one year after advancing to the World Series against the Texas Rangers before losing in five games. Arizona has a speedy, powerful lineup led by Carroll, Marte, Suarez and Gurriel. The team did lose some power bats from last year’s squad, including Walker and Pederson, but the hope is that Naylor can fill much of that gap after he was acquired in a trade with the Guardians. The D-backs made one of the most surprising signings of the offseason when they landed Burnes — a four-time All-Star and 2021 NL Cy Young winner — on a $210 million, six-year deal. Burnes will lead a rotation that could be among the deepest and best in baseball. The bullpen has several experienced arms, but it’s an open question who will close the majority of games. Martinez, Puk, Graveman and Ginkel figure to be in the mix. Arizona certainly expects to make the playoffs this season and could even challenge the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West if things go well.

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San Francisco Giants

2024: 80-82, fourth place.

Manager: Bob Melvin (second season).

Opening Day: March 27 at Cincinnati.

He’s Here: SS Willy Adames, RHP Justin Verlander, C Sam Huff.

He’s Outta Here: LHP Blake Snell, LHP Taylor Rogers, RHP Austin Warren, RHP William Kempner, OF Mark Canha, OF Michael Conforto, C Curt Casali, C Blake Sabol.

Top Hitters: SS Willy Adames (.251, 32 HRs, 112 RBIs, .794 OPS with Milwaukee), 3B Matt Chapman (.247, 27, 78, .790 OPS, Gold Glove), OF Jung Hoo Lee (.262, 2, 8 in 37 games), OF Heliot Ramos (.269, 22, 72, .792 OPS), 2B Tyler Fitzgerald (.280, 15, 34, .831 OPS in 314 ABs).

Projected Rotation: RH Logan Webb (13-10, 3.47, league-leading 204.2 IPs), RH Justin Verlander (5-6, 5.48 with Houston), LH Robbie Ray (3-2, 4.70), RH Jordan Hicks (4-7, 4.10), LH Kyle Harrison (7-7, 4.56) OR RH Hayden Birdsong (5-6, 4.75).

Key Relievers: RH Ryan Walker (10-4, 1.91, 10/14 saves), RH Tyler Rogers (3-4, 2.82, 1 save), LH Erik Miller (4-5, 3.88), RH Camilo Doval (5-3, 4.88, 23/28 saves), RH Landen Roupp (1-2, 3.58).

Outlook: The Giants have gone three straight seasons without posting a winning record and weren’t exactly aggressive in making improvements in the first offseason with former star catcher Buster Posey in charge. Adames was the big addition to the lineup after signing a $182 million, seven-year contract, but San Francisco is mostly running it back with the same crew minus Snell. The Giants are hoping Verlander has a bounce-back season at age 42 and that former Korean star Lee is fully healed from a shoulder injury that cut his first season in the majors short. The strength of the team in San Francisco is a deep bullpen, the durable Webb at the top of the rotation and a strong hitting infield with Adames, Chapman, Fitzgerald and 1B Lamonte Wade Jr. That might not be enough to compete with the big-spending Dodgers, but the Giants are hoping it will be enough at least to get them into wild-card contention.

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Colorado Rockies

2024: 61-101, fifth place.

Manager: Bud Black (ninth season).

Opening Day: March 28 at Tampa Bay.

He’s Here: LHP Scott Alexander, INF Thairo Estrada, INF Kyle Farmer, RHP Jimmy Herget.

He’s Outta Here: OF Charlie Blackmon, 2B Brendan Rodgers, RHP Justin Lawrence, RHP Daniel Bard, RHP Cal Quantrill.

Top Hitters: 3B Ryan McMahon (.242, 20 HRs, 65 RBIs, .722 OPS), 1B Michael Toglia (.218, 25, 55), SS Ezequiel Tovar (.269, 26, 78), OF Nolan Jones (.227, 3, 28), Brenton Doyle (.260, 23, 72), OF/DH Kris Bryant (.218, 2, 15 in 37 games), INF Thairo Estrada (.217, 9, 47 with Giants), INF Kyle Farmer (.214, 5, 25 with Twins).

Projected Rotation: RH Germán Márquez (0-0, ,6.75 ERA in 4 IP), RH Ryan Feltner (3-10, 4.49, 138 Ks), LH Kyle Freeland (5-8, 5.24), RH Antonio Senzatela (0-0, 6.57 in 12 1/2 IP), RH Chase Dollander (6-2, 2.59 in 23 minor league starts with Spokane and Hartford) or LH Austin Gomber (5-12, 4.75).

Key Relievers: RH Tyler Kinley (6-1, 6.19, 12 saves), RH Victor Vodnik (5-4, 4.28, 9 saves), RH Angel Chivilli (2-3 4.55), RH Seth Halvorsen (2-1, 1.46), LH Scott Alexander (1-3, 2.56 in 43 games with Athletics), LH Lucas Gilbreath (0-0, 54.00, 1 IP in 3 games).

Outlook: The Rockies will rely on a young nucleus to try and break a string of back-to-back 100-loss seasons. Colorado hasn’t been to the postseason since 2018. Tovar and Doyle are coming off productive years, with Tovar hitting 26 homers and Doyle winning a second straight Gold Glove. The Rockies lost valuable leadership in the clubhouse in the wake of Blackmon’s retirement. He’s still around, though, as a special assistant to the general manager. The Rockies desperately need Bryant’s bat to wake up. He’s been banged up and limited to just 17 homers since signing a $182 million, seven-year deal before the 2022 season. The rotation figures to feature a pair of right handers coming off Tommy John surgeries in Márquez and Senzatela. Márquez was an All-Star in 2021. Dollander could soon be in the majors, if not on the opening day roster. The 23-year-old Dollander was the ninth overall pick by Colorado in the 2023 draft.

NL West Preview: Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Padres lead a loaded division

Could October deliver another thrilling slugfest between the rival Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres?

Or, it could be the Arizona Diamondbacks' turn again on the big fall stage.

In the loaded NL West, Shohei Ohtani and the big-money Dodgers remain the team to beat after winning 11 of the past 12 division titles, but several clubs look like contenders to make a postseason splash.

Buster Posey is doing his best to make sure San Francisco is at least part of the playoff conversation. The former star catcher is now in charge of personnel and roster building as the Giants try to get back into contention.

Chasing down the Dodgers remains a tall order for the other clubs, especially with Ohtani expected back on the mound at last for Los Angeles sometime later this spring.

How they project

1. Los Angeles Dodgers. The defending World Series-winning Dodgers have put their trust not only in Ohtani but also in manager Dave Roberts, who enters his 10th season with the highest winning percentage in major league history at .627 (851-507) and a new four-year contract that takes him through the 2029 campaign. Los Angeles added two-time Cy Young Award-winning lefty Blake Snell to a $182 million, five-year contract shortly after winning the World Series and also landed Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki to deepen its starting rotation. Freddie Freeman will have to manage his surgically repaired right ankle through the first half of the season.

2. Arizona Diamondbacks. Expectations have skyrocketed for the Diamondbacks after owner Ken Kendrick opened up his wallet in the offseason to add ace right-hander Corbin Burnes on a $210 million, six-year deal. Arizona could have one of the deepest starting rotations in baseball with Burns, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez and Brandon Pfaadt. The D-backs scored the most runs in the big leagues last year with a group led by Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll, Eugenio Suarez and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. First baseman Christian Walker left in free agency, but the D-backs quickly filled the hole by adding slugger Josh Naylor in a deal with the Guardians. Naylor had 31 homers and 108 RBIs last season. Arizona doesn’t have the star power of the Dodgers, but the franchise still has high hopes for a return to the playoffs and possibly a deep run in October.

3. San Diego Padres. San Diego stretched archrival Los Angeles to the limit in a thrilling division series last October, but it ended with a brutal 24-inning scoring drought for this talent-laden roster. The Padres have the personnel to shake it off while resuming their chase of the powerhouse 90 miles to the north. Fernando Tatís Jr. and Manny Machado return with gifted youngster Jackson Merrill atop an excellent lineup. Early-spring signee Nick Pivetta supplements Dylan Cease, Michael King and Yu Darvish at the top of a solid rotation. The bullpen is also loaded with options behind All-Star closer Robert Suarez. On paper, the Padres again have the talent to contend for their first World Series title. They just need to get it done.

4. San Francisco Giants. Posey quickly got to work building around Logan Webb and some other key young faces for a club that went 80-82 to finish fourth in the West and miss the playoffs for a third straight season since its division title and franchise-best 107-win 2021 campaign. Justin Verlander signed a $15 million, one-year contract and shortstop Willy Adames received a $182 million, seven-year contract in December. This will be the 20th major league season for the 42-year-old Verlander, a three-time AL Cy Young Award winner.

5. Colorado Rockies. A youth movement highlighted by Gold Glove-winning shortstop Ezequiel Tovar will try to snap a string of six straight losing seasons. Colorado's projected win total is 59 1/2 by Bet MGM, which would put the Rockies at 100 losses for a third straight season. The 21-year-old Tovar hit .269 with 26 homers last season, while 26-year-old Brenton Doyle captured his second straight Gold Glove for patrolling center field at cavernous Coors Field. The rotation will feature hard-throwing right-handers Antonio Senzatela and Germán Márquez, who are making their way back to full strength from elbow injuries.

Ohtani's timeline

 

Roberts has said Ohtani could return to the mound in May, but the Dodgers' manager has been intentionally vague about the timeline as the team tries to set Ohtani up for a healthy 2025. He was limited to hitting only in 2024 following offseason elbow surgery, then had surgery on his left, non-throwing shoulder after the World Series. Ohtani slowed his work on the mound in the leadup to the Tokyo Series so he could concentrate on his hitting.

Arráez on the move?

Three-time NL batting champion Luis Arráez could be on the move again this season. San Diego acquired Arráez from Miami last May and played him mostly at first base, but there's speculation the Padres could seek to trade him before he becomes a free agent after the 2025 season. Arráez is a career .323 hitter, but after posting a .393 on-base percentage and 4.6 wins above replacement (WAR), per Baseball-Reference in 2023, those numbers dipped to .346 and 1.0 in 2024.