On Thursday, EA Sports dropped its top-rated offenses and defenses for its upcoming video game, College Football 25.
The game, which releases on July 19, might be the most-anticipated sports video game we’ve ever seen. It’s the first licensed college football video game to be released since NCAA 14 over a decade ago.
Fans of college football and video games alike are counting the seconds until the game hits shelves, just over three weeks from today.
For the first time in this process, though, EA was met with a tidal wave of criticism as they appear to have completely fumbled the team ratings for both offense and defense.
So, as a contributing member of society, I’m offering my help to fix EA’s biggest mess to this point in the game’s build-up. Yesterday, we fixed the offense. Today, it’s the defense.
THE BIG ONES
COLORADO (84 OVR)
I don’t know who’s in charge of the ratings at EA, but they’re either a CU alum or they’re getting paid under the table to boost the Buffs for this release. The 89 overall offense was bad, but an 84 overall for the defense is hysterical. The Buffaloes ranked 123rd in defensive success rate in 2023, and despite a huge number of portal additions/subtractions, it’s outlandish to believe they’ll go from a bottom-10 to a top-20 unit in 2024. *pops balloon*
ADJUSTMENT: 76
IOWA (88 OVR)
The Iowa Hawkeyes’ 2023 offense averaged 15.4 PPG and has a -7 turnover ratio on the year. Despite that, Iowa won 10 games and won the Big Ten West. That’s because their defense allowed just 14.79 PPG and 282.5 YPG. The unit is set to return eight starters and several key role players for one of the oldest defenses in college football. It’s a top-three unit.
ADJUSTMENT: 93 OVR
USC (86 OVR)
This one nearly made me fall out of my chair when I saw it for the first time. Not only is USC tied for the 14th-best defense in the game, but it’s rated three points higher than the Trojans’ offense (83 OVR)! Sure, there were some wholesale changes to that side of the ball, but Lincoln Riley has made a living by outscoring folks. Plus, we just saw a generational quarterback leave college football after going 7-5 because his defense was that bad. Not buying this one at all.
ADJUSTMENT: 74 OVR
LSU (84 OVR)
LSU ranked 78th nationally, allowing 28.0 PPG last season, and was 113th in defensive success rate. The Tigers went 9-3 in the regular season thanks to the Heisman campaign of Jayden Daniels, but the defense cost them several games. Will that change in 2024? It should improve with the addition of Blake Baker, but I’m not ready to crown them as a fringe top-15 unit.
ADJUSTMENT: 81 OVR
NORTH CAROLINA (84 OVR)
Anybody who has watched the Tarheels over the past couple of seasons knows that defense hasn’t been its strong suit. In fact, Gene Chizik just got fired as the defensive coordinator there, and Geoff Collins is now in charge, having last served as the head coach at Georgia Tech from 2019-22. Sure, the defense should improve, but enough to be a Top 25 unit? Nope.
ADJUSTMENT: 79 OVR
OTHER NOTABLE ADJUSTMENTS
TEXAS (88 OVR) – OVERRATED
There’s still a ton of talent, but the loss of T’Vondre Sweat, Byron Murphy, and Jaylan Ford has to count for something.
ADJUSTMENT: 86 OVR
ALABAMA (90 OVR) – OVERRATED
Kalen DeBoer is one heck of a football coach, but he’s an offensive guy. Nick Saban was one of the best defensive minds college football has ever seen, so even with the talent, a top-five unit feels like a reach.
ADJUSTMENT: 88 OVR
FLORIDA (84 OVR) – OVERRATED
I believe in Billy Napier, and I think Florida will be better in 2024. But the defense had some big issues last season, and I just can’t see a Top 25 unit yet.
ADJUSTMENT: 80 OVR
THE SNUBS
IOWA STATE
Did Jon Heacock up and leave Ames? The last time I checked, Iowa State was a perennial leader in defense and they’ve got a lot of key pieces coming back.
ADJUSTMENT: 87 OVR
TENNESSEE
Just like on the offensive side of the ball, Tennessee was glossed over and forgotten here. James Pierce is a one-man wrecking crew, and the Vols have one of the best front sevens in college football.
ADJUSTMENT: 86 OVR
OLE MISS
Lane Kiffin just spent his life savings in the transfer portal to load up for an SEC title run in 2024. With the additions of Walter Nolan, Princely Umanmielen, Trey Amos, and Isaiah Hamilton, the Rebels’ defense should be salty.
ADJUSTMENT: 88 OVR
