The release of EA Sports' new college football video game, College Football 25, has sparked a great deal of discussion and controversy, especially regarding the team ratings for the top 25 schools. Anticipation for the game is at an all-time high after an 11-year hiatus since NCAA Football 14. One talking point is the apparent overvaluation of the Colorado Buffaloes, who are ranked as the 16th best team in the game despite a poor performance last season.
Colorado finished last season with a dismal 4-8 record overall and 1-8 record in the Pac-12. Despite this, the team is rated higher than historically strong teams such as Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee and Kansas State. This has also been questioned by college football fans and analysts who find it difficult to reconcile the Buffaloes' actual performance with their digital ratings.
Colorado topped the list with an 87 overall rating among teams with that rating. This list includes notable teams like Arizona, which had a 23rd-place overall score. Particularly puzzling are Colorado's offensive and defensive rankings in the game. Their 20th-ranked defense stands in stark contrast to last season, when they allowed an average of 6.3 yards per play and were near the bottom of the FBS rankings. Similarly, their 8th-ranked offense ranks above programs with better stats and more returning talent. Not to mention, Colorado lost 42 players to the transfer portal with an entirely new offensive line.
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Key contributing factors to this rating include the presence of standout players like QB Shedul Sanders and two-way talent Travis Hunter, as well as a roster that was significantly revamped via the transfer portal, but major issues like a struggling offensive line and unclear defensive improvement loomed large, making the high rating seem speculative at best.
The decision to rank Colorado in the top 25 seems like a strategic move by EA Sports to draw attention and discussion to the game. The tactic appears to be aimed at generating buzz, rather than reflecting the actual strength of the team. Interestingly, given the existing excitement surrounding the return of the college football video game series, this approach may not have been necessary. Overrating a team like Colorado, or misrating others, such as USC's defense or Clemson's offense, could backfire and alienate the game's fanbase.
Teams like Missouri and Tennessee, who have more productive seasons and realistic playoff hopes in 2023, could have presented more balanced and credible rankings. Expectations are already high for the College Football Top 25, and over-rating any one team runs the risk of swaying public opinion in a negative direction.
From another perspective, the betting odds also reflect skepticism about Colorado's performance. With a projected win total of 5.5 and an incredibly low chance of making the 12-team College Football Playoff, Buffalo is not one to trust right now. As Coach Prime would say, the answer to the question, “Can you believe it now?” is “I still can't believe it.” The University of Colorado odds are somewhat skewed by the hype surrounding Deion Sanders' arrival in Boulder. Despite the buzz, the team's actual chances of competing at the top level remain in question.
EA Sports is bringing waves of nostalgia and excitement, but Colorado has people confused. Many are questioning the criteria and motivations behind team rankings. Fans are hoping the game will feature a dynamic rating system that adjusts to real-world performance so that virtual success matches up with on-field performance. If not, Colorado could unexpectedly dominate on gamers' consoles while struggling for bowl eligibility in the real world.
