STARKVILLE — Across the country, gamers are logging on for the first college football video game release in 11 years. Electronic Arts’ College Football 2025 is the result of three years of research, development and fine-tuning to create an in-depth college football experience that features actual student-athletes for the first time in history.
And Mississippi State is in the game.
The general gameplay itself is fun and immersive, and part of the reason why is the attention to detail with the stadium environments. The game has all the details for Davis Wade Stadium down, from the massive video boards, music and fight song, the expanded stadium seating and, of course, the cowbells. The only detail incorrect at launch is the location of the home and away sidelines, with MSU situated on the East side in the game.
The team is all set up for the player to take control, though there is some work to be done to improve the roster. Overall, MSU has a fun offensive scheme with a roster that has room to grow in dynasty mode, a game mode where players can recruit and develop prospects themselves as a head coach, offensive coordinator or defensive coordinator with a program.
MSU’s highest rated player in the game is senior center Ethan Miner, a transfer from North Texas. His current rating sits at 89 overall with several notable physical and mental attributes that make him an ideal anchor for the offensive line.
But, according to the programmers at EA, there is a bit of a drop off after that. Wide receiver Kelly Akharaiyi, another senior transfer, is the next highest rated at 84 overall.
No defensive player is rated higher than an 80, and only six players total rate 80 or higher.
This was to be expected given MSU’s poor 2023 campaign and roster turnover with so many transfers and young players, but the low rating doesn’t make the team any less fun to play as. Though Jeff Lebby himself isn’t in the game, the team’s offensive playbook is very much based on the spread schemes seen over the years at Oklahoma and UCF. There are several five-wide receiver plays with deep-route concepts, but there is also a diverse running game playbook with several option plays and sweeps that can get speedy wide receivers such as Kevin Coleman and Creed Whittemore involved. The speed out wide helps boost the Bulldogs as a big-play team and opens up some room for the running game.
The game has been available for pre-order and early access for a few days, but the official launch takes place Friday. Mississippi State is hosting a celebratory “We’re In the Game!” event on July 18 where 32 players will compete for the chance to take on current and former Bulldogs. Notable former players in attendance include NFL players Emmanuel Forbes, Johnathan Abram, JT Gray and Bookie Watson.
The event begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children and can be purchased online.
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