Texas A&M hasn't had double-digit wins in 12 years, but it at least has bragging rights heading into the 2024 season.
That means virtual bragging rights.
EA Sports on Tuesday released its top 25 most difficult venues to play in for the upcoming 25 college football games, with Texas A&M University's Kyle Field coming out on top. The SEC dominated the top spot, with Ohio State University's Ohio Stadium coming in at No. 4 and the only non-conference venue in the top five.
Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium, Louisiana State University's Tiger Stadium and Georgia's Sanford Stadium also rounded out the top five.
- Kyle Field – Texas A&M
- Bryant-Denny Stadium – Alabama
- Tiger Stadium – LSU
- Ohio Stadium – Ohio State University
- Sanford Stadium – Georgia
- Beaver Stadium – Pennsylvania State University
- Camp Randall Stadium – Wisconsin
- Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium – Oklahoma
- Doak S. Campbell Stadium – Florida State University
- Ben Hill Griffin Stadium – Florida
- Autzen Stadium – Oregon
- Memorial Stadium – Clemson
- Neyland Stadium – Tennessee
- Jordan-Hare Stadium – Auburn
- Williams-Brice Stadium – South Carolina
- Michigan Stadium – Michigan
- Lane Stadium – Virginia Tech
- Rice-Eccles Stadium – Utah
- Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium – Texas
- Kinnick Stadium – Iowa
- Notre Dame Stadium – Notre Dame
- Spartan Stadium – Michigan State University
- Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium – Arkansas
- Albertsons Stadium – Boise State University
- Davis Wade Stadium – Mississippi State University
A glance at this list highlights just how difficult life will be in the SEC and Big Ten after conference realignment.
Twelve of the top 25 stadiums are in the SEC, with former Big 12 powerhouses Texas and Oklahoma joining the league, meaning there are essentially no easy away games left in the conference.
As for the Big Ten, the addition of Oregon brings seven of the league's 25 stadiums to the league.
Penn State and Wisconsin are tied with Ohio State in the top 10, while the reigning champion Michigan Wolverines are ranked 16th.
A ranking of the hardest stadiums to play in is a highly anticipated feature in the upcoming game, as it will make it much harder to step into challenging environments and achieve victory in Dynasty Mode or Road to Glory.
EA Sports released the trailer, showing off some of the unique stadiums, player entrances, atmosphere, and realistic graphics.
The unique stadiums, student seating, traditions and overall atmosphere of a Saturday afternoon or night are what separate college football from the NFL. Future games will certainly be judged on how they can realistically replicate the impact these stadiums have on gameplay, and EA Sports will clearly be delivering a different feel for each stadium.
College Football 25 is the first edition of the game since NCAA Football 14 to feature real players, thanks to the availability of names, images and likeness rights of current athletes.
But the virtual versions of these athletes will also face raucous crowds on the road, especially if the games are played in one of those 25 stadiums.
The game is scheduled to release on July 19th for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
