Spring Drills End Saturday with Open Practice at Kinnick

The weather has been very fall and football-like in Eastern Iowa this week, so I guess it's fitting that Saturday brings the yearly open practice to Kinnick Stadium.

Tomorrow's forecast, unfortunately, cold and wet but I'm betting that doesn't deter all Hawkeye fans from seeing the way this year's squad looks even if the season is still four months away.

Gates open at noon Saturday, with the final practice beginning at 1. A 20-minute autograph session with members of the team starts at 12:35, weather permitting. Pre-game activities in the Krause Family Plaza have been canceled due to the weather forecast. Admission to the practice is free, but fans are encouraged to help the Johnson County Crisis Center's annual Food Bank Drive by donating non-perishable food items in the Krause Family Plaza and Kinnick Stadium entrances.

Seating will be open on the west and south sides of the stadium. One of the best things of all about the open practice is the opportunity to get posters, 2015 schedule cards, and B1G posters and schedule cards. They'll be available at Gates A, F, and G.

We'll be watching C.J. Beathard, Iowa's new undisputed starting quarterback, how the new offensive line looks, and much more. Then again, the spring practice often doesn't tell us much. However, it's still fun to be thinking, talking about, and watching football in April.

The Hawks open the 2015 season September 5th when they host Illinois State.