Back in February, I reported on the list of assets Mississippi State University sent to EA Sports for the development of College Football 25.
Earlier this week, those assets came to fruition with the early release of College Football 25, the latest installment in Electronic Arts' famed college football franchise. Overall, the game offers a realistic recreation of what a rowdy Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium feels like. However, there are still some small improvements EA could bring to the game. First, the big ones.
As of now, only the base color white and maroon jerseys and two sets of matching pants will appear in the game. Grey pants will also appear in the game as an alternate option.
But that's not what fans are interested in. Last year's retro uniforms, which were overlaid with the MSU logo, were not featured at the start of the game. A FOIA request confirmed that Mississippi State had sent over the uniforms to be included in the game, leading many fans to ask questions on Twitter and message boards.
So why aren't they there? We know EA definitely has them, as almost all of the other assets Mississippi State sent over were cut. So the most likely scenario is that we'll find this retro set in a future update or DLC set on par with EA.
There are also rumors flying around about upcoming uniform releases and trademarks surrounding the Bulldogs, which we will report on in the coming weeks. It is also clear that Mississippi State is fully embracing the Script State logo, which is currently the only logo visible on the side of the helmet in all menus and gameplay.
Simply put, Davis Wade Stadium comes alive during games. Ranked the 25th toughest place to play in a game, the Bulldog defense produces cowbells ringing all over the field. The third-down bell stands out loud and clear, and individual crowd shots are so detailed you can see fans ringing cowbells with the Mississippi State logo on them.
Certain sections of the stadium need to be filled with the kind of lively crowd that fills the grandstands during games, but overall the atmosphere in the actual stadium is good: the tunnel exits are crisp, players' names are well displayed, the commentary is packed with cowbell references and any Bulldogs fan will feel right at home.
First, there were a few key players, particularly rising home-grown receiver Braylon “Stonka” Burnside. While there have been no reports of Mississippi State players actually opting out of the game, a number of outside factors, including the NCAA eligibility period, paperwork deadlines and other minor issues, caused Burnside and several other Bulldogs to miss out on launch selection.
New Mexico State transfer Trent Hudson has also yet to appear in a game, but he and Burnside should be available after one or two roster updates. In Hudson's case, the transfer window held him and several others up for release date.
Of course, Jeff Levy himself never actually plays in the game, but the playbook certainly makes an appearance, and his run-and-shoot style of offense, which places wide receivers so far away they're barely visible on screen, is on full display.
The game is loaded with the play-action and motion routines that Levy's offense has had success with in years past, putting dynamic players like Blake Shapen and Kelly Acalay in position to make plays. To complement the passing attack, Davon Booth plays like a complete unit out of the backfield. Levy's combination of delayed handoffs and screens allows Booth plenty of spacing throughout the game.
Those who can adjust to the new pass camera and spacing of Levy's offense will appreciate the attention to detail. Overall, the Mississippi State experience is coming together with a new title, and those who, like this writer, have waited more than a decade for a title return can dutifully don the maroon and white and start their own Bulldog dynasty.
