Around this time last year college football fans in the state were wondering if Auburn had enough bullets left its offense to replace three eventual first-round draft picks.

Although that question still lingered after A-Day, Auburn's annual spring football game, the question was answered when it mattered in the fall.

Now the questions abound on the other side of the state. University of Alabama fans are now wondering what life will be like without Brodie Croyle.

There's no question that John Parker Wilson is the heir apparent to Croyle, but now Crimson Tide are wondering if he will live up to the hype or choke.

Alabama fans will get a sneak peek at what Wilson can do and what life without Brodie will be like today during the Tide's annual spring football game.

Some national media are usually shocked to see more than 30,000 people show up for a spring scrimmage in the heart of football country. I join that group that is perplexed as to why anyone would waste their time watching a scrimmage that means absolutely nothing.

In fact the whole purpose of spring football game doesn't have the same meaning as it used to 20 years ago.

I just wonder out loud what purpose a spring football game has now.

Today's scrimmage is just one of more to come at the Capstone. In fact the Tide doesn't wrap up its spring football season today. It will continue for another two weeks.

And Alabama isn't alone.

Troy University held its annual T-Day game two weeks before the end of its spring practice schedule.

Auburn, however, did wrap up spring drills with its A-Day game, but I wouldn't call it a game anymore.

The spring games are not games anymore. They are glorified scrimmages in front of thousands hoping to get a glimpse of what is to come in the fall.

Spring games just don't seem to have the meaning it had back then. Then again, maybe the spring game really never had any meaning even 20 years ago.

Thanks to good marketing by the schools, spring games will continue to be held throughout the southeast.

But what good are they, really?

Kevin Taylor is sports editor of The Greenville Advocate. Call him at (334) 382-3111 ext. 122 or e-mail kevin.taylor@greenvilleadvocate.com.