How does College Football 25 feel different, plus who is the Big Ten’s dark horse?

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Your votes for the 2024 Big Ten dark horse are in … but first, more video game news!

EA Sports Tips

From someone who played the game!

Yesterday, The Athletic’s Chris Vannini shared everything he learned from playing EA Sports College Football 25 for two hours. Here are a few of the big takeaways:

There are 134 playbooks, part of 10 offensive styles (beware of delay of game penalties as you scroll through the options!).
The capability players enjoy before the snap has grown in complexity and availability. Senior QBs can see more than freshmen, like reading the possibility of a blitz or a certain kind of defense.
Chris didn’t play Dynasty mode but still learned all about it. One important detail: Custom conferences are back, and gamers can put up to 20 teams in a conference.

I asked Chris to share his tips and a team he wants to try playing with next:

Pro tip for playing offense?

Vannini: My tip for playing offense is to understand you can run the ball now. If you haven’t played since the old NCAA games, running the ball used to be a waste of time unless it was a trick play. But now, the blocking AI is really good, and you’re rewarded for hitting the hole. You do not need to go out and pass the ball on every single play. If you’re advanced, the run-pass-option choices are deep in various playbooks. That was a lot of fun to toy with.

Pro tip for playing defense?

Vannini: My tip of playing defense is to square up when you tackle. There is a new physics-based tackling technology, which made tackling harder than in the past, even compared to Madden 24. You can’t just get near a ball carrier and use the hit stick. You need to take as much care on defense as you do on offense.

A team you want to try next?

Vannini: I spent some time with Wake Forest, Air Force, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Michigan State, Oregon and a few others, in an attempt to test out different kinds of offenses. I would love to try out Kansas State next and see what I can do with QB Avery Johnson in that offense.

Listen to a breakdown of a game as well as an aspect that surprised Chris on the Until Saturday podcast. Have more questions? Submit them here.

Big Ten Dark Horse

Big Ten West redemption … maybe

In our last newsletter, I asked you to make your pick for a dark-horse candidate in the Big Ten for 2024. The answer selections excluded the four overwhelming favorites to win the conference: Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State and Michigan. Here’s how you voted:

Let’s take a closer look at the top three:

Nebraska: There’s reason for optimism in Lincoln. Matt Rhule is entering his second season, and freshman five-star QB Dylan Raiola, whom the Huskers flipped from Georgia, could provide a spark at a position that has been flawed for a long time for Nebraska. The schedule is extremely favorable. The Huskers face UTEP, Colorado and Northern Iowa before beginning Big Ten play vs. Illinois, at Purdue, vs. Rutgers and at Indiana. Then comes a big road trip to Ohio State.

Why readers are picking the Huskers: “The Huskers will not be a good team. None of these teams will challenge the top four. However, the Huskers are in year two of a rebuild and have the easiest schedule of this group, along with a blue-chip QB prospect. If anyone on this list is going to do it, it’s going to be them.”

Iowa: Ah yes, Iowa. If for no other reason, the Hawkeyes might be a dark horse because they are finally free from the Drive to 325 scoring incentive that cast a shadow over their entire season in 2023. OC Brian Ferentz is out and has been replaced by former Western Michigan head coach Tim Lester. Head coach Kirk Ferentz has said that former Michigan QB Cade McNamara will be the starter, as long as he’s healthy.

Why readers are picking the Hawkeyes: “Iowa City is annually the home of the ‘Holy **** they won how many?’ champs. This year they leave the Big Ten West yet still manage to avoid Michigan, Penn State, Oregon and USC. With a new OC, some toys on offense and the same defense as ever, they’re always an upset away from winning ten or eleven and ending up in Indy for the title game. Heck, they may only be underdogs once this year in the regular season.”

“With a functional offense, not elite just working, they could surprise a few people.”

Wisconsin: The Luke Fickell faithful were very vocal among these voters. Transfer QB Tyler Van Dyke looked excellent in the Badgers’ spring game while the wide receivers might finally be ready to meet expectations. The schedule isn’t easy — three potential top-15 opponents (Alabama, Penn State and Oregon) and five road games will make this a tricky task for Fickell and company, but that will give them an opportunity to reignite energy in the program.

Why readers are picking the Badgers: “Year 2 under Luke Fickell should see a better match of personnel to the system. Tough schedule, but if the Badgers can stay competitive with Alabama at home and scratch out a win at USC, it would be a sign they have a chance to be relevant down the stretch.”

“Obviously needs TVD or (Braedyn) Locke to step up, but other offensive pieces should be there. Secondary one of the best in the conference, and DL/LBs shored up.”

Quick Snaps

More on EA Sports, Chris details how NIL factors into College Football 25. Yes, it is a part of the game.

The Chicagoland area is a big feeder for Big Ten schools, but which programs recruit the best? Jesse Temple and Scott Dochterman spoke to high school coaches in the latest recruiting confidential.

SEC athletic departments are preparing for cuts, but how much will football take a hit? Seth Emerson reports from the conference meetings in Florida.

The Women’s College World Series begins today. Follow The Athletic’s live updates here. Plus, who will advance to the Men’s College World Series? Read our predictions.

You can buy tickets to every college football game here.

(Top photo: Courtesy of EA Sports)