The annual spring game gets underway this weekend at 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 15, at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS. Admission and parking are free, so come on out! Here's what to look forward to.

The game is the 15th official practice of the spring semester, the maximum allowed by NCAA rules, spread across the past month or so.

Despite a win over Texas, optimism is still pretty hard to come by when discussing the Kansas football program considering last year’s 2-10 campaign. In the meantime, David Beaty and his staff have been crushing it on the recruiting trail, which should be infusing optimism into even the most casual KU football fan.

Last year, the format was Blue vs White in a four quarter scrimmage in which both sides were able to score points on any play. In what would turn out to be a harbinger of the regular season, the defense completely outclassed the offense. However, from what I can gather, it looks like the scoring will go back to a more traditional football game, as the rosters were drafted by the assistant coaches and each side is a mix of 1s and 2s. I would anticipate that the QBs will wear red shirts as per usual, but never forget that despite the no-contact jersey, in 2015 Michael Cummings went down with a knee injury on a scramble that ended his college career.

Some players to keep an eye on include both Peyton Bender and Carter Stanley, the WR trio of Quiv Gonzalez, Daylon Charlot, and Steven Sims, RB Khalil Herbert, DE Dorance Armstrong, DT Daniel Wise, and OLs Charles Baldwin and Hakeem Adeniji.

Schedule

10 AM - The Annual Bike Rodeo, Lots 58 and 65, Kids 15 and under get a free bike helmet while supplies last

11 AM - 1 PM, Kids Fun Zone, Practice Fields

11:30 AM - 1 PM, Egg hunt on the hill for kids under 10

12 PM - 12:25; Alumni Flag Football game, Memorial Stadium

1 PM - 2017 Spring Game, Memorial Stadium

Postgame; Train Like a Jayhawk (Kids grades 1-6), Memorial Stadium. Check-in/Registration at 11 AM, Southeast Gate. Online registration is closed, but there will be some walk-up spots available.

How to Watch

Come on out to Lawrence!

It’s supposed to be a beautiful Easter weekend, so if you have plans already and won’t be around, the game will be televised live on the Jayhawk Television Network in the state of Kansas and the Kansas City metro area and nationally on ESPN3. The game will also be broadcast live across the state of Kansas on the Jayhawk Radio Network, with an audio stream available at KUAthletics.com.

Discuss

Which player are you most looking forward to seeing?

For me, it’s two players - Charles Baldwin and Daylon Charlot, the Alabama transfers. I’d love to see Dorance Armstrong take on Charles Baldwin. It’s a possibility, as they are on opposite teams for the scrimmage. As for Charlot, it will be fun to see him and Quiv Gonzalez running around in the secondary together.

What is a realistic win goal for 2017?

I’m sticking with four wins, but even that will require significant strides by the offense, and specifically the offensive line. The Jayhawks look they like should be able to move the ball this year, and they have got to avoid turnovers in their own territory.