College Football 25 is kicking my ass. And that's why I'm loving it.
In football, sometimes you're unexpectedly punched in the mouth by an unexpectedly violent opponent that knows it can out-physical you. Since Friday, for me, that opponent has been the much-anticipated videogame EA Sports College Football 25.I was looking for a challenge when I set the difficulty to Heisman and took over the Ohio Bobcats with the aim […]
In football, sometimes you're unexpectedly punched in the mouth by an unexpectedly violent opponent that knows it can out-physical you.
Since Friday, for me, that opponent has been the much-anticipated videogame EA Sports College Football 25.
I was looking for a challenge when I set the difficulty to Heisman and took over the Ohio Bobcats with the aim to rebuild a MAC program that has only six returning starters going into the 2024 season. Sure, I hadn't played a football videogame in many, many years but I could handle it.
My goals weren't that ambitious: I knew I'd lose multiple games while I rebuilt this team through my elite recruiting skills. The goal set on my contract was simple: Make a bowl game. In other words, win 50% of the games on the schedule, which included an FCS opponent and only one Top 25 opponent. Easy work. It's a videogame after all.
Here's what actually happened: I lost to the make-believe FCS Astronauts in Week 0, got blown out 47-0 by Kentucky on the road, and saw Buffalo drop 66 points on me (at my house!) en route to a 5-7 record, no bowl, and a bunch of starters getting the heck out of my mess as soon as the transfer portal started.
And I loved every single minute of it. Here's what I enjoyed the most out of the experience.
1. Losing is actually pretty fun on Dynasty mode
There's a small possibility you're a great gamer who's got the Heisman difficulty all figured out and are reading this and laughing out loud at me. What a loser! I just went 15-0 three times!
But here's the thing: I've actually enjoyed the struggle. I played a bazillion seasons worth of Dynasty on NCAA 14 on Heisman at 13 years old and dominated every time regardless of what school I picked. Recruiting didn't even matter that much because I'd find ways to win these games.
Picking Ohio, ranked 113th/134th on Phil Steele's real-life power rankings, I shouldn't be able to beat Top 15 squad Kentucky (in the game) at their place. Or at least not unless I play a perfect game and win a down-to-the-wire showdown.
My OL, with only one player with an 80 overall or better, should struggle against talented defensive fronts to the point that a perfectly called play sometimes won't work. My wide receivers (none of which had an 80 rating or better) are supposed to drop balls if they're not perfectly placed (and even when they are, here and there).
Otherwise, why would I care about nailing the recruiting process? Why should I care if I get a 4-star running back and a quarterback that's not so slow that running the option is not even viable? Heck, I even started worrying about job security after someone on Twitter told me he was fired after ending the year on an 0-5 run.
Going 5-7 made me feel like I'm actually rebuilding a bad program. Let's see if 2025 is different.
2. These recruiting targets made me suffer
In the best way possible.
Back on NCAA 14, it seemed like you could always get a 5-star recruit here and there and at least three 4-stars, regardless of your school. Now, only a few would even begin talking to me in the first place.
I went with the ambitious route putting a couple of 5-stars and 4-stars on the board and with two of them, I got some serious interest. I invested all of the possible hours on them only to be turned down late in the year.
Halfway through the season I had no serious targets. The reality check was tough: It's hard to sell the Ohio Bobcats when it's SEC and Big 10 teams on the other side.
But you see, had my 4-star quarterback and wide receiver targets not turned me down, landing my 4-star running back wouldn't have felt so good in Week 14 after blowing out Ball State with him in the stands! It was perfection.
Additionally, I love the system: It's not just about investing a ton of hours on players but the stages of it all make it seem much more realistic. You have to discover a player's specific interests so you know what the ideal pitch to get him to commit is and then you can persuade him to do so once you are in his Top 5 schools. And don't overlook how important visits are like I did. It will cost you prospects.
3. Running the football had never been this fun
I'll admit the last time I played a football game consistently was Madden 19 so I might be unaware of the latest editions of the NFL game. But I can't recall having this much fun running the ball ever. The blocking is realistic and you're actually able to read blocks and hit them.
Using the spring button is a bad idea unless you're already at the second level as it keeps the blocks from developing. I'm sure some gamers just want to break the game and spam a particular pass play that works no matter what but if you're looking into simulating an actual football game, you'll love how big of an impact being able to run the ball can make.
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