EA Sports College Football 25: Toughest Places to Play Rankings and Analysis

[Hooe]

Re: EA Sports College Football 25 Toughest Places to Play

I'm a lapsed college football fan returning to the sport because of this game, so take my opinion with a grain of salt and all, but Texas A&M at #1 feels weird given that their program has been the butt of every joke at the national level since Jimbo Fisher was hired, if not before that. If you had given me ten guesses as to which stadium would top this list, I would have never guessed Kyle Field.

I'm also told Clemson has lost exactly four games at Memorial Stadium since the release of NCAA Football 14. If that's accurate, I think they probably deserve a bump.

[AUChase]

Re: EA Sports College Football 25 Toughest Places to Play

I'm a lapsed college football fan returning to the sport because of this game, so take my opinion with a grain of salt and all, but Texas A&M at #1 feels weird given that their program has been the butt of every joke at the national level since Jimbo Fisher was hired, if not before that. If you had given me ten guesses as to which stadium would top this list, I would have never guessed Kyle Field.

I'm also told Clemson has lost exactly four games at Memorial Stadium since the release of NCAA Football 14. If that's accurate, I think they probably deserve a bump.

The only thing you need to know is that Virginia double dribbled.

[Hooe]

Re: EA Sports College Football 25 Toughest Places to Play

The only thing you need to know is that Virginia double dribbled.

Say anything you want, your school's colors literally came from Charlottesville.

[Dawgfan1]

Re: EA Sports College Football 25 Toughest Places to Play

I'm a lapsed college football fan returning to the sport because of this game, so take my opinion with a grain of salt and all, but Texas A&M at #1 feels weird given that their program has been the butt of every joke at the national level since Jimbo Fisher was hired, if not before that. If you had given me ten guesses as to which stadium would top this list, I would have never guessed Kyle Field.

I'm also told Clemson has lost exactly four games at Memorial Stadium since the release of NCAA Football 14. If that's accurate, I think they probably deserve a bump.

Everything I've personally heard about Kyle Field makes it sound deserving of an arguable top 5 placement, but yeah #1 felt too high imo. I also agree with putting Clemson in the top 10 along with either Oregon or Washington. But I'm at least happy to see Georgia get some love, #3 in the gameplay trailer felt a little high but 5-7 feels about right. In my biased opinion of course lol.

[ChaseB]

Re: EA Sports College Football 25 Toughest Places to Play

Say anything you want, your school's colors literally came from Charlottesville.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: EA Sports College Football 25 Toughest Places to Play

Say anything you want, your school's colors literally came from Charlottesville.

Chase fight back!

[noarmsduck]

Re: EA Sports College Football 25 Toughest Places to Play

I'm seeing some discussion on wins and losses in regards to this topic. While that's definitely a part of the equation (and the only good way to implement to increase your team's rating in this regard in a dynasty) I don't think it is or should be the only factor in initial rankings.

A lot of rowdy loud passionate environments haven't had recent success on the field. Nebraska, West Virginia, and NC State kind of fit that. Alabama rarely loses at home but that's because they field a superior team, not because they have the best environment. Not saying their environment is bad, but ranking them ahead of Death Valley (LSU) or the Swamp seems odd to me. Would also put PSU above the 'Shoe.

All that said, no real harm in some inaccuracies here or there. We can most likely influence our teams moving up through winning home games. This is a welcome bit of excitement and hype as the game's release gets closer.

[AUChase]

Re: EA Sports College Football 25 Toughest Places to Play

Say anything you want, your school's colors literally came from Charlottesville.

Chase fight back!

Lucky for me, I'm an avid Rowing fan and know a lot about the *checks notes* Grosvenor Rowing Club.

[ChaseB]

Re: EA Sports College Football 25 Toughest Places to Play

Lucky for me, I'm an avid Rowing fan and know a lot about the *checks notes* Grosvenor Rowing Club.

[ChaseB]

Re: EA Sports College Football 25: Toughest Places to Play Rankings and Analysis

Just a heads up that the first post was updated with the news story, I'll give my light takes as well with no context and all vibes (there's a little analysis on a napkin but I just want to list my picks).

Overrated on the list: Texas A&M, Michigan St, Virginia Tech, Georgia
Underrated on the list: LSU (feels like a case of overthinking, don't think anyone would really argue with them at 1), Georgia, Iowa, Notre Dame, Oregon, Clemson, Michigan,

Shocked by omission: Husky Stadium
Mildly surprised by omission: Oklahoma St., NC State, USC, Nebraska

I also have no doubt a place like Texas A&M and Virginia Tech can rival the loudest spots, I just don't think it's probably consistent these days.

Oh, also EA has prepped their YT page for 10:55 a.m. EST tomorrow for the presentation trailer.

[LowerWolf]

Re: EA Sports College Football 25 Toughest Places to Play

Tennessee, I've been to once, a game vs Missouri that went to like 6 OT periods. It was as tame as the VT game a couple years ago and was honestly the quietest collegiate game I have ever been to before, and I've been to games at Duke. If that were my only knowledge of Neyland, I'd easily say it was one of the worst home fields in the nation, but obviously more context is needed.

Like you said, context. There's no comparing a Dooley-led Tennessee team against a middling Missouri to say 2022 Neyland for Tennessee-Alabama.

I've been on the field a few times at Neyland for games. It's intimi****** when we don't suck.

[Hooe]

Re: EA Sports College Football 25: Toughest Places to Play Rankings and Analysis

Lucky for me, I'm an avid Rowing fan and know a lot about the *checks notes* Grosvenor Rowing Club.

If it makes you feel better, Auburn is not the only college football team Virginia has inspired with their uniform colors.

Clemson gets their colors directly from Auburn (and thus Virginia by one degree of separation). The story goes that Auburn donated to Clemson's then brand-new football team some older orange-and-navy football uniforms which had faded to orange and purple due to heavy usage and subsequent washing. The faded colors stuck, so now the Tigers in South Carolina wear orange and purple.

Virginia also has a claim to the colors and mascot in Gainesville. The University of Florida's mascot, the Gators, was chosen by the child of Gainesville resident who was attending law school at Virginia. The origin of their colors — also orange and blue — has several stories, but one of them is that the original Florida Gators pennants sold to UF football fans following the mascot choice were manufactured in Charlottesville VA, and the cheapest materials available for manufacturing those pennants were, predictably, orange and blue.

I hold on to all of this because the Virginia Cavaliers' status as an original college sports uniform tastemaker is about the only damn thing the Hoos have to brag about on the football field at the moment lol.

[bigwill33]

Re: EA Sports College Football 25: Toughest Places to Play Rankings and Analysis

The list is what it is. Good at getting people talking and eyes back on the game. Glad they are releasing stuff this week after radio silence for nearly a month. Selfishly wished they had included some screenshots of these stadiums to show them off. Perhaps we will see plenty more tomorrow with the deep dive.

Been to quite a few of these places, so I have my own opinions. It’s different coming in on a team bus and being on the field than watching at home, I can say that. But teams go through ups and downs. And that will be likely reflected with dynamic changes in the dynasty rankings. Few teams sellout and have the atmosphere week in and week out, and also consistently host big games against top ranked opponents. I’m sure all of that factors in.

Just bring on the game already!

[thescoop]

Re: EA Sports College Football 25: Toughest Places to Play Rankings and Analysis

Mississippi State made the top 25 toughest places to play? I guess it is for all the cowbells.

[BDawg35]

Re: EA Sports College Football 25 Toughest Places to Play

Granted, I've only been to a game at the big house one time, but it wasn't the loudest stadium I've ever been in. I've been to home games at Oregon, Utah, BYU, TCU and Michigan. UM is behind Oregon in my 1-game, small sample size experience.

Michigan fan here. I can attest that Michigan Stadium may be large and may be the home of a national power, but isn't an intimi-d-a-ting (why is this word blocked?) place for visiting teams. OK, I haven't been to a home game since the 1980s, but I had really good seats one time and was surrounded by old rich alumni who were there to see and be seen, not cheer on their football team. There's a lot of entitlement in the fan base that tends to detract from the excitement. With the insane cost of tickets, I'm sure there are fewer real fans and more corporate types there these days. The way the stadium is built tends to disperse the sound, too.