This is an article I’ve been waiting forever to write. In a month (or less than a month if you’re a sicko like me who purchased early access), EA Sports will drop their first new college football video game in 11 years. And for those who have been wearing down their NCAA 14 discs over the last decade, this is like a countdown to Christmas Day. While everybody and their mother has discussed CFB 25 at length online, here at SEC Unfiltered, I aim to do something a little different.
This is the first of a three-part project of how I rank the SEC’s 16 schools in how much fun I THINK they will be to play in the new game. Parts 2 and 3 will have to wait until the game releases, and I promise, those of you looking to watch me freak out whilst playing with Vandy for your entertainment will not be disappointed. Speaking of whom…
RANKING EVERY SEC SCHOOL ON HOW MUCH FUN THEY WILL BE TO PLAY WITH IN CFB 25
16: Vanderbilt
Yes, I know, incoming QB transfer Diego Pavia memorably suplexed an Auburn defender last season while he was under center at New Mexico State. But unfortunately, somebody has to place last here, and I’m picking the school who lost their best offensive talent in WR Will Sheppard to the transfer portal. Vandy is deficient in talent just about everywhere else in comparison to the rest of the conference, and is the only school that I’m confident will stay in the same ranking for when the game actually comes out. They might be a fun fix in Dynasty mode, though!
15: Arkansas
Arkansas is in a tough spot. Their two most explosive players in QB KJ Jefferson and RB Rocket Sanders both departed for greener pastures, however there are two factors keeping them from last place on the list. First of all, the Hogs plucked talented Boise State QB Taylen Green from the portal, but the most interesting wrinkle here: if you choose the Razorbacks in College Football 25, you’ll get to test drive whatever the Bobby Petrino 2.0 offense looks like. Apologies for putting “drive” and “Bobby Petrino” in the same sentence.
14: Auburn
How much trust do you have in returning QB Payton Thorne? That’s where your mileage is going to differ on how fun Auburn will be to play with on CFB 25. If you do believe in Thorne, he’ll have a fun group of WRs to throw to, the biggest and newest name being Penn State product KeAndre Lambert-Smith. I’m most intrigued, however, by how well EA renders War Eagle’s pregame flight.
13: Mississippi State
Let me be clear, there is a massive gap between #14 and #13 on this list. New head coach Jeff Lebby will be bringing his patented spread offense from Norman to Starkville, and there is legitimate talent being injected into the offense with the likes of QB Blake Shapen (possibly the most underrated QB in the conference?) and WR Kevin Coleman joining the fold. Like many maiden voyages in this conference, the Bulldogs are a gigantic question mark. I think they might surprise me in how much fun they are to play with. Hopefully EA got the cowbell sound effects down pat.
12: Florida
The Gators would have been much higher on this list a year ago, but losing the likes of Ricky Pearsall to the Draft and Trevor Etienne to the portal hurt their rankings a ton. Graham Mertz is a solid QB in real life, but I think highly touted freshman DJ Lagway will be the more fun option in CFB 25. At least you’ll have Eugene Wilson to throw to?
11: South Carolina
I would not be surprised if the Gamecocks are much higher on my rankings the second time through. When you play with South Carolina, you’ll have Arkansas transfer RB Rocket Sanders and track star WR Nyck Harbor at your disposal. However, a shady offensive line and some uncertainty at QB (freshman LaNorris Sellers is the projected starter at the moment) keep the Cocks from moving up any further for the time being. All’s good however, because EA got the rights to Sandstorm.
10: Kentucky
Seems like a trend here- bunch of fun playmakers but some questions at QB will determine how fun Kentucky is to play with. Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff will have some fun weapons to play with, as WRs Dane Key and Barion Brown will both be matchup nightmares on their speed alone. Check back with me in a month on the Cats.
9: Oklahoma
The next “unproven” QB might be the among the most talented in the conference to play with, as Jackson Arnold oozes potential. Deion Burks is taking his talents from Purdue to Oklahoma as well, and should create a fun pairing of WR and QB that will be electric to use in the game. However, Oklahoma’s most fun attribute from a video game standpoint might be their defense, and if you’re into that, the Sooners could be a safe pick.
8: Texas A&M
The Aggies have sky-high potential to be a blast in this game, as I’m higher on QB Connor Weigman than most. As someone that loves to rush the passer in football video games, Purdue EDGE Nic Scourton should also be a blast to control on the DL, as you can spend your days wrecking havoc on the backfield. As if that isn’t enough, the crowd noise at Kyle Field (I’m so thankful EA brought home-field advantage back into the game) should make playing with the Aggies a solid time.
7: LSU
If this was last year, the Bayou Bengals would be #1 on my list with Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, and Brian Thomas available to run roughshod on your opponents. However, this go-round, you’ll be playing with Garrett Nussmeier under center and a new cast of characters on offense. With that being said, patrolling the LB corps with Harold Perkins might make it worth using LSU alone. Oh, and EA let the band play Neck.
6: Tennessee
I think Nico Iamaleava will be the real deal both virtually and IRL, and James Pearce will be a hellraiser in this game. Josh Heupel’s rapid-fire offense should translate quite well to a video game setting too, but it’s a lack of proven talent that will keep the Vols out of my top 5 for the time being.
5: Alabama
I cannot wait to sling the rock with Jalen Milroe in CFB 25, as Kalen Deboer’s pass-heavy schemes will be a joy to run virtually. Bama’s secondary is loaded with ballhawks and you might just have your opponent in hell with their defense. The only thing more surprising than how much fun a Nick Saban-less Bama team will be to use, is the fact that there are four teams ahead of them. For now…
4: Ole Miss
Now we’re getting into the crème de la crème. A Lane Kiffn offense in video game form? Sign me up. Also, nothing quite like a dual-threat machine of Jaxson Dart’s caliber to torment your opponents. Oh yeah, and that Walter Nolen guy on the DL. Opposing players should probably account for him. Too bad EA didn’t include a virtual tailgate at the Grove. Maybe they’re saving it for CFB 26.
3: Missouri
When playing against Mizzou, your opponent will have to pick their poison. Try to stop Brady Cook’s arm? Or how about focusing on shutting down RAC God Luther Burden in space? But if you do that, how can you stop Theo Wease or Brett Norfleet? On the other side of the ball? Gotta watch out for Daylan Carnell in the secondary. This Mizzou team is loaded and will be an opposing player’s nightmare in CFB 25.
2: Texas
Quinn Ewers (and whatever NPC EA concocts to replace Arch Manning) under center. Isaiah Bond as a QB’s best friend. Anthony Hill as the captain of your defense. They even brought BEVO into the game. Yeah, Texas is going to rock in CFB 25.
1: Georgia
Sometimes, the easy answer is the correct one. The best team in the country will be the best team to play with in CFB 25.