How is College Football 25 different, and who are the Big Ten's dark horses?

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Voting is over for the 2024 Big Ten dark horses… but first, more video game news!

EA Sports Tips

Messages from people who have played the game!

yesterday, Athletic's Chris Vannini shared everything he learned from playing EA Sports College Football 25 The talk lasted two hours, and here are some key takeaways:

• There are 134 playbooks, part of 10 different offensive styles (be sure to keep an eye out for delay of game penalties as you scroll through the options).
• The abilities players enjoy pre-snap have increased in complexity and availability, with senior QBs being able to see more than freshmen, including reading the potential for blitzes and certain types of defenses.
• Chris hasn't played the Dynasty mode, but he learned all about it nonetheless. One important detail is that custom conferences are back, allowing gamers to enter up to 20 teams into a conference.

We asked Chris for some tips and which team he'd like to play next.

What are your pro tips for attacking?

Vannini: My tip for attacking is to understand Now you can run the ball. For those who haven't played since the old NCAA games, running the ball was a waste of time unless it was a trick play. But now the blocking AI is so good that it rewards you for hitting holes. You don't have to pass the ball on every play. If you're an advanced player, the run-pass options are deep in the various playbooks, which is a lot of fun to play around with.

Any pro tips for playing defense?

Vannini: My advice on defense is to face forward when tackling. There is a new physics-based tackling technique, making tackles harder than before, even compared to Madden 24. You can't just go near the ball carrier and use the hit stick. You need to be just as careful on defense as you are on offense.

Which team would you like to challenge next?

Vannini: I've spent time at Wake Forest, Air Force, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Michigan State, Oregon and a few others to try out different types of offenses, and I'd like to try Kansas State next and see what I can do with QB Avery Johnson in that offense.

Hear analysis of the match and the tidbit that surprised Chris on the Until Saturday podcast. Have more questions? Submit them here.

Big Ten Dark Horses

The Big Ten West is back… maybe

In our last newsletter, we asked you to pick a dark horse candidate for the Big Ten in 2024. The answer selection excluded four schools that were overwhelming favorites to win the conference: Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State and Michigan. Here are the results of the poll:

Let's take a closer look at the top three.

Nebraska: Lincoln has reason for optimism. Matt Lue is in his second year and five-star freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola, who the Huskers transferred from Georgia, could revitalize a position that has long been flawed for Nebraska. The schedule is very favorable. The Huskers will face UTEP, Colorado and Northern Iowa before opening Big Ten play with matches against Illinois, Purdue, Rutgers and Indiana, followed by a long trip to Ohio State.

Why readers choose the Huskers: “The Huskers aren't going to be a good team. No team is going to challenge for the top four. But the Huskers are in year two of a rebuild, have the easiest schedule of this group and have some promising QB prospects. If anyone on this list is going to have success, it's them.”

Iowa: Ah, yes, Iowa. Iowa might be a dark horse, if for no other reason than that they'll finally be free of the “Drive to 325” scoring incentive that has overshadowed the entire 2023 season. OC Brian Ferentz has resigned and been replaced by former Western Michigan head coach Tim Lester. Coach Kirk Ferentz has said former University of Michigan QB Cade McNamara will be the starter if healthy.

Why readers choose the Hawkeyes: “Iowa City is home to a champion every year that goes, 'Seriously, how many wins have they had?' They made it out of the Big Ten West this year but managed to avoid Michigan, Penn State, Oregon and USC. With a new OC, some good offensive line and the same old defense, they're always going to be upset-prone until they win 10 or 11 games and make it to the Finals in Indy. They might only be the underdog once this regular season.”

“If they have a functional offensive force, not an elite one, they could surprise some people.”

Wisconsin: Luke Fickell diehards were very vocal among those voters. Transfer quarterback Tyler Van Dyke had a great spring game for the Badgers, and the wide receiver corps may finally live up to expectations. The schedule isn't easy. Three potential top-15 opponents (Alabama, Pennsylvania and Oregon) and five away games will provide a challenge for Fickell and the team, but it will be a chance to reignite the team's energy.

Why readers choose the Badgers: “Year two of coach Luke Fickell's season should see a better fit between personnel and system. It's a tough schedule, but if the Badgers can compete at home against Alabama and manage to pull off a win at USC, it will be a sign they have the potential to be successful down the stretch.”

“Obviously, we need TVD or (Braydin) Lock to step up, but the rest of the offensive line should step up too. Our secondary is one of the best in the conference, and we have some strong DL/LBs.”

Quick Snap

Click here for details EA SportsChris, zero factor College Football 25Yes, that's part of the game.

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SEC As athletic departments prepare for cuts, how much of a hit will it be for football? Seth Emerson reports from conference meetings in Florida.

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(Top photo: Courtesy of EA Sports)