For the first time, Missouri will sell tickets to the Black and Gold spring scrimmage in advance, the school announced Monday. The $3 tickets will be available March 17 at the Mizzou Arena ticket window or by calling 1-800-CAT-PAWS. The school also announced what we told you last week, that ESPNU will broadcast the game live, starting at 1 p.m. Fans can also gain admission by donating three cans of food to the Central Missouri Food Bank.

"We're honored to have the opportunity to be on television, and we're grateful to the folks at ESPN for choosing our game," Missouri Coach Gary Pinkel said in a prepared statement. "To me, that says a lot about what they think of our program, and we want to give them a good show, so we'll do our part on the field, and ask our fans to do their part by coming out. We'd really like to get a big turnout to show the nation how great our fans are, and how much they love their Tigers. We can also do a lot of good for a great organization like the Central Missouri Food Bank."

I would have liked to have seen Missouri get in on the Gridiron Bash, a series of concerts hosted on college campuses on the eve of various spring games around the country. Already booked for shows include the Black Crowes (South Carolina), Maroon 5 (Utah), Counting Crows (Colorado), Kid Rock and Sara Evans (LSU), ZZ Top (Texas A&M), Kelly Clarkson (Iowa) and Fergie (Penn State).

(Just curious, do you think JoePa is a big fan of the Fergielicious one?)

How about a concert here in Columbia to kick off the spring game festivities? Rock icons Bon Jovi (with opening act Daughtry) will be close enough after playing Kansas City on April 17, so why not invite the Jersey boys into town for a little pre-scrimmage festivity?

On a serious note — not that this town and I wouldn’t be thrilled for some live Jovi — but here are some sincere suggestions to spice up the Black and Gold game experience:

• Chase Daniel played just two series in last year’s scrimmage and completed 8 of 11 passes. If he’s going to get the early hook this year, why not send him into the TV booth for the second half and let him provide some color commentary with the ESPNU crew? If you want to take advantage of the rare TV exposure, put your brightest star behind the microphone and let him spew his knowledge.

• Change up the scoring system. I sort of like having the offense square off against the defense in Pinkel’s complicated scoring scheme, but it won’t make for great TV. I can just imagine the announcers stumbling over the various points that are earned by first downs, third-down stops, sacks, take-aways, etc. So, why not go back to the way Larry Smith sometimes divvied up the scrimmage teams: he let the media pick the rosters. I’ll volunteer my services as a general manager and let Missouri decide between Columbia TV sportos Chris Gervino and Beau Baehman for the other job. My first-round pick? Sorry, Chase(s), Jeremy Maclin is the choice.

• Mike up linebackers coach Dave Steckel on the sideline. OK, this might require a 6-second delay, but it’d be worth the entertainment factor.

• Honorary team captains Justin Gage on one sideline, Justin Smith on the other. With all those recruits in attendance, use the big stage to showcase your program’s most successful NFL players.

• A voter registration booth featuring U.S. Congress hopeful and beloved former Tiger Brock Olivo.

• Speaking of, how about an alumni flag football game on Faurot Field after the Tigers scrimmage? NFL contracts might prohibit the current pros from playing, but who wouldn’t enjoy seeing Corby Jones, Olivo and others running around on Faurot Field one last time?

• Last and not least, a moment of silence before kickoff for former Tigers Coach Larry Smith, who died in January. Not just a moment of silence but a highlight clip of Smith’s best MU moments on the video board.

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Speaking of the spring game, don't forget, spring practices begin Tuesday with the first workout at 3:30 p.m. Check the blog Tuesday evening for a full depth chart with any roster changes/updates plus a breakdown of the first workout.

And if you're waiting for a position preview for the defensive backs, we'll include that also. I'd like to see who's lined up where first, notably the guys who shuffled between corner and safety last season. It should be a strong bunch, but remember, free safety William Moore will miss the spring while recovering from a torn labrum. I'd guess Del Howard steps into the starting unit alongside Justin Garrett at the other safety spot.

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