On a frosty February night in 2021, EA Sports sent shockwaves through the college football world by announcing the long-awaited return of its storied College Football video game series—marking the first new installment since the beloved NCAA Football 14 hit shelves back in 2013. It took until February of 2024 until they finally pulled back the curtain in February 2024, revealing College Football 25 as the official title. The decade-long drought had built up a mix of nostalgia and skepticism, especially with EA’s Madden franchise showing signs of stagnation. Many doubted whether the magic could be recaptured. But when College Football 25 launched, EA shattered expectations.

From iconic entrances to authentic atmospheres, the game reignited the passion of college football fans, including those in Bloomington, where Hoosier faithful had been eagerly waiting to see Memorial Stadium and the crimson and cream brought to life once again. And after a thrilling and unexpectedly strong season from the Hoosiers, anticipation in Bloomington is reaching a fever pitch for the 2025 campaign. While kickoff is still weeks away, fans won’t have to wait long to get their IU football fix—College Football 26 drops on July 10, with early access available starting July 7 for those who preorder.

Here is the list of subheadings to help assist with your reading: Real Coaches, Real Impact; Road to Glory Reimagined; What’s New in Dynasty Mode; EA’s Contribution to University NIL Funds; New Mascots Incoming; Hope for What Ultimate Team Can Be; Player Ratings for IU Football

Real Coaches, Real Impact:

If you’ve ever played EA’s Madden NFL series, you know that real-life coaches are part of the package—well, everyone except Bill Belichick, who famously opts out of appearing in the games. But when CFB 25 launched, fans quickly noticed a glaring omission: no real coaches. That means no Saban, no Harbaugh, and yes—no Curt Cignetti roaming the sidelines in cream and crimson. Just imagine the thrill of guiding Cignetti and the Hoosiers to a stunning upset over Ryan Day’s Ohio State in the National Championship!

Well, EA heard the fans loud and clear—College Football 26 is bringing real-life coaches to the sidelines! That’s right, you can now lead your team with the likes of Steve Sarkisian, Kirby Smart, and of course—Indiana’s own Curt Cignetti at the helm! While some high-profile names like UNC’s Bill Belichick and Colorado’s Coach Prime opted out, the game still features over 300 authentic coaches, making it the most realistic college football experience to date. For Hoosier fans, that means seeing offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines fully represented, bringing their strategies to life on the digital gridiron. And in a fun twist, former IU quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri also appears in the game—now wearing UCLA blue as their OC. It’s a massive leap forward for authenticity, and this is just the beginning of the upgrades packed into CFB 26.

Road to Glory Reimagined:

Like many others, Road to Glory was my favorite mode when the game first released. This mode lets you step into the cleats of a high school phenom, choosing your path as a two, three, four, or five-star recruit. Go the 5-star route, and powerhouse programs will be knocking at your door, eager to hand you the keys to their offense. But if you take the tougher road—as a lower-rated prospect—you’ll need to grind for every rep, earn your spot on the depth chart, and win over the coaching staff to become the starter. It’s a mode that captures the true college football journey—from Friday night lights to Saturday glory—and it’s where Hoosier hopefuls can build their legacy, one play at a time.

You are then faced with the choice of which position you want to play at. Just like in CFB 25, College Football 26 lets you pick from five key spots: Quarterback, Halfback, Wide Receiver, Middle Linebacker, or Cornerback. While that covers the flashiest positions on both sides of the ball, it’s a bit of a letdown for trench warriors—no option yet for edge rushers or interior defensive linemen. Still, if you’re a defense-first player like me, there’s hope. You can lean into blitz-heavy defensive schemes that let your linebacker fly off the edge and cause chaos in the backfield. Additionally, there are new archetypes for positions, such as the Pure Runner QB archetype, adding more depth and personality to each position. It’s a promising step toward making each Road to Glory experience feel truly unique.

Next comes one of the most exciting parts—building your athlete from the ground up. In College Football 26, customization runs deep. You can tweak everything from your player’s height and weight to their face, hairstyle, helmet, gear, and even throwing motion if you’re lining up under center. Want to rock a visor and arm sleeves like a future pro? Go for it. But the details don’t stop there—you also choose your hometown, whether it’s Greenwood, Indiana, Lubbock, Texas, or Woodside, California. This choice isn’t just cosmetic either; your hometown affects your recruiting pipeline, shaping which schools show interest early on. It’s a subtle but smart layer of strategy. However, in last year’s game, you couldn’t pick the high school you attended.

That all changes now—CFB 26 finally brings high school football into Road to Glory! Gone are the days of simply picking your star rating and jumping into the college ranks. This time, you’ll have to earn it under the Friday night lights. You’ll start your journey on a generic high school team, but EA gives you the creative reins: customize everything from the school’s name and mascot to team colors—or even import your actual high school. Whether you rep Ben Davis, Warren Central, Brebeuf Jesuit, or any other hometown powerhouse, you can now relive (or rewrite) your high school legacy. As you rack up stats, complete challenges, and build your highlight reel, college programs will begin to take notice. It’s a more grounded, more authentic path to becoming a five-star phenom—and it makes every snap count.

If you don’t land with your dream school right away, don’t sweat it—you can always start somewhere else, redshirt to develop your skills, and make a name for yourself before entering the transfer portal to chase bigger opportunities. Beyond the high school additions, Road to Glory introduces a new layer of strategy with coach happiness—your performance and attitude on the field now directly impact how your coaches view you, for better or worse. But the biggest leap forward is definitely the expanded high school experience combined with a more authentic, dynamic recruiting process. And if you’re eager to jump straight into the college grind, you can skip high school entirely and dive right into the action. For fans wanting the full breakdown, EA Sports’ website offers an in-depth look at all the new features and updates that make Road to Glory the ultimate college football journey.

What’s New in Dynasty Mode:

Dynasty was one of, if not the most popular game mode in last year’s revival of the game. In Dynasty, you step into the shoes of a coach for any of the 130 fully loaded teams, crafting your own legacy from the ground up. You had the option to customize your own coach or choose an “existing” coach to play as. They didn’t have any real coaches for last year’s game, so it was just AI generated coaches for every team. However, now you can choose to play Dynasty as Curt Cignetti and build Indiana into the power house it’s going to be! You also have the option to play as an offensive or defensive coordinator if you don’t want to be a head coach, whether you choose an existing coach or create your own, that’s up to you to decide. Furthermore, they’ve revamped the archetypes and abilities for coaches to develop. With that there are enhanced playbooks with more than 2,800 new plays, giving you endless ways to outsmart your opponents and build your dynasty.

As a customization enthusiast, I was a bit underwhelmed last year by the coach’s wardrobe options (just a plain T-shirt or long sleeve, nothing to really show off your style). So hearing about the expanded coach apparel for this year was a huge win. Now, you can deck out your sideline persona with a variety of fresh looks that match your coaching vibe, whether you’re the sharp strategist or the fiery motivator. Plus, EA has added a sleek new trophy room where you can proudly display all the awards you’ve earned.

In Dynasty, the goal is clear: build a powerhouse team capable of dominating conference championships, crushing rivalry games, and ultimately hoisting the National Championship trophy. Each season, you’ll scout fresh talent and recruit top prospects to elevate your roster. And if you still have holes to fill after signing day, the transfer portal is your secret weapon—featuring anywhere from 2,000 to 3,500 athletes each year ready to make a move. Additionally, your team’s needs are now front and center on your recruiting dashboard, making it easier than ever to target the right players. Beyond the field, you’ve got full control to fire or hire coaches, entertain job offers from other schools, and craft your own coaching journey. The more you grind, the more your coaching skills level up—impacting everything from game-day strategy to recruiting prowess. The path to glory is wide open, and every decision shapes your legacy.

Last year, Dynasty let you compete against friends, with up to 32 players each controlling their own program, a dream come true for competitive college football fans. But, many fans were disappointed by the absence of crossplay in the game mode (crossplay is when you can play with someone that doesn’t have the same console as you). EA has answered those calls loud and clear in College Football 26, introducing full crossplay support for Dynasty! Whether you’re on PlayStation, Xbox, or PC, you can now compete and collaborate seamlessly with friends across platforms. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the incredible upgrades packed into this year’s game. The enhancements are nothing short of jaw-dropping—and if you want to dive deeper into all the new features, EA’s official deep dive is a must-read for any true fan.

EA’s Contribution to University NIL Funds:

One of my favorite things EA has announced was about helping the NIL funds for universities. You may be wondering how they’re going to do it? According to @CFBAlerts_, depending on how much a team gets played as, they will donate a portion of their earnings to the school’s NIL funds. Meaning that just by playing the game, you can increase the funds for Indiana’s NIL and help our athletes that are working hard every day to have another great season!

New Mascots Incoming:

Hoosier fans—ourselves at The Huddle included—were fired up when IU officially brought back Hoosier the Bison as the school’s mascot! After months of speculation and hints, the long-awaited confirmation finally dropped in May 2025, sending waves of excitement through the Bloomington faithful. Unfortunately, because the announcement came so late in the development cycle, the Bison won’t be making an appearance in College Football 26. Still, there’s plenty of hope (and maybe a little wishful thinking) that Hoosier the Bison will suit up for next year’s installment. Here’s to seeing the crimson-clad Bison lead the charge down the sidelines in CFB 27!

Beyond the Hoosier mascot news, EA didn’t hold back when it came to sideline spirit. CFB 26 adds 37 new costumed mascots to the roster, building on the 50 from last year’s game—bringing the total to an impressive 77 mascots, plus 10 live animal mascots for that extra touch of tradition. Some of the standout additions include Big Jay from Kansas, Herky the Hawk from Iowa, Roc the Panther from Pitt, Big Red from Arkansas, and many more fan favorites. While Hoosier the Bison didn’t make the cut this year, the mascot momentum is real—and it feels like only a matter of time before Indiana fans see their beloved Bison hyping up the crowd from the sidelines in a future release.

Hope for What Ultimate Team Can Be:

Back in the Madden days, Ultimate Team was easily one of my favorite game modes. As a freshman living in the Northwest dorms in Bloomington back in 2021, I spent an absurd number of hours grinding Madden 22 Ultimate Team. For those unfamiliar, Ultimate Team (for College Football) lets you collect cards of current and former college football stars to build your dream roster. The mode made its debut in Madden NFL 10 (ironically, my first video game), and a few years later, it made its way to NCAA Football 14—a fan-favorite addition that sadly turned out to be the series’ swan song for over a decade.

Fast forward to 2024, it made its return to College Football in 2024. While it didn’t have quite the polish or depth of Madden’s version, it was a solid foundation—especially after more than 10 years in hibernation. Personally, I didn’t dive as deep into it last year (it’s a serious grind if you want to build a top-tier squad) but based on community feedback and reviews, it was a hit with plenty of potential.

Just like Madden, CFB 26 is set to bring yearly updates to player abilities, card drops, mechanics, and visuals. But one area we’d really love to see improved? Indiana Football representation. Last year’s Ultimate Team mostly featured players from the 2024 roster (unless you count Penix’s Washington card). This year, we’re hoping EA digs into the IU archives and gives us some true Hoosier legends—imagine fielding a lineup with Antwaan Randle El launching bombs, Tracy Porter locking down receivers, Anthony Thompson trucking defenders, Pete Pihos bringing the old-school grit, Tevin Coleman blazing down the sideline, or George Taliaferro breaking barriers—and ankles. That’s the kind of Hoosier heat Ultimate Team needs.

Alright, now for the moment most of you probably came here for—Indiana’s player ratings! When College Football 25 dropped in July 2024, the Hoosiers entered the game with a modest 82 overall, featuring an 81-rated offense and an 84-rated defense. But oh, how things have changed. In CFB 26, Indiana has leveled up in a big way: boasting an 89-rated offense, 88-rated defense, and a solid 87 overall—a testament to the program’s rising momentum under Coach Curt Cignetti. As for individual player ratings? I’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find each standout Hoosier’s position, rating, and how much they’ve climbed—or dropped—since last year’s game. Let’s break it down!):

• Elijah Sarratt [WR]: 93 OVR (+7)
• Mikail Kamara [DL]: 92 OVR (+12)
• D’Angelo Ponds [CB]: 92 OVR (+5)
• Aiden Fisher [LB]: 90 OVR (+15)
• Carter Smith [OL]: 89 OVR (+8)
• Fernando Mendoza [QB]: 87 OVR (+7)
• Roman Hemby [RB]: 87 OVR (+2)
• Amare Ferrell [S]: 87 OVR (+15)
• Lee Beebe Jr. [RB]: 86 OVR (+6)
• Devan Boykin [S]: 86 OVR (0)
• Omar Cooper Jr. [WR]: 84 OVR (+7)
• Drew Evans [OL]: 84 OVR (+17)
• Tyrique Tucker [DL]: 84 OVR (+8)
• Holden Staes [TE]: 83 OVR (+2)
• Bray Lynch [OL]: 82 OVR (+10)
• Kellan Wyatt [LB]: 82 OVR (+5)
• Hosea Wheeler [DL]: 81 OVR (+4)
• Pat Coogan [OL]: 81 OVR (+2)
• Jamari Sharpe [CB]: 81 OVR (+3)
• Stephen Daley [DL]: 80 OVR (-2)
• EJ Williams Jr. [WR]: 79 OVR (-1)
• Zen Michalski [OL]: 79 OVR (0)
• Kahlil Benson [OL]: 79 OVR (0)
• Dominique Ratcliff [DL]: 79 OVR (+2)
• Nicolas Radicic [K]: 79 OVR (+16)
• Tyler Morris [WR]: 79 OVR (+1)
• Solomon Vanhorse [RB]: 79 OVR (+5)
• Jonathan Brady [WR]: 78 OVR (+2)
• Andrew Turvy [DL]: 78 OVR (+3)
• Makai Jackson [WR]: 77 OVR (+10)
• Ryland Gandy [CB]: 77 OVR (+1)
• Andrew DePaepe [DL]: 77 OVR (0)
• Kaelon Black [RB]: 76 OVR (-2)
• Louis Moore [S]: 76 OVR (0)
• Amariyun Knighten [CB]: 76 OVR (+6)
• Khobie Martin [RB]: 76 OVR (+9)
• Riley Nowakowski [TE]: 76 OVR (+2)
• Bryson Bonds [S]: 75 OVR (+2)
• Mitch McCarthy [P]: 75 OVR (+2)
• James Bomba [TE]: 75 OVR (+2)
• LeBron Bond [WR]: 75 OVR
• Grant Wilson [QB]: 74 OVR (-4)
• William Depaepe [DL]: 73 OVR (0)
• Andrew Barker [TE]: 73 OVR
• Rolijah Hardy [LB]: 72 OVR
• Isaiah Jones [LB]: 72 OVR (+2)
• J’mari Monette [DL]: 72 OVR (0)
• Kyler Garcia [DL]: 72 OVR
• Keishaun Calhoun [DL]: 71 OVR
• Jhrevious Hall [DL]: 71 OVR
• Kaiden Turner [LB]: 70 OVR (+2)
• Seaonta Stewart Jr. [S]: 70 OVR
• Myles Kendrick [WR]: 69 OVR
• Alberto Mendoza [QB]: 69 OVR (+3)
• Dontrae Henderson [CB]: 69 OVR (+5)
• Jah Jah Boyd [CB]: 67 OVR (0)
• Daniel Ndukwe [DL]: 65 OVR (0)
• Jeff Utzinger [LB]: 60 OVR
• Marion Landino [DL]: 59 OVR (-1)

With the world of the Transfer Portal and NIL, college sports have become very different than what they were even 10 years ago. NIL and the Transfer Portal have changed the face of college sports forever, and while it seems like some athletes are in it all for the money and just to prepare for their professional career, others are still in it for the education, just like Notre Dame’s latest commit.

Notre Dame had one of their biggest recruiting weekends they have had all recruiting cycle during the holiday weekend. Receiving commitments from three big-time wide receiver prospects, Devin Fitzgerald, Kaydon Finley, and Brayden Robinson. Robinson was the latest to commit as a 4-star wide receiver, choosing the Fighting Irish over the Miami Hurricanes for one reason that might surprise a lot of people in this day in age of college football.

In his interview with On3’s Blue & Gold, Robinson talked about why he chose the Fighting Irish, and it was not just because of the stellar football program. Robinson spoke about the education he believes he can get at Notre Dame and how that was a selling point from the coaching staff.

“The education there is huge,” Robinson said. “They preached that the Notre Dame degree can help you do anything in life, that’s definitely big for me. You get to meet the right people and get to where I want to be after I’m done playing football.”

Education is a not a huge emphasis in college sports nowadays

With the world of NIL and the Transfer Portal, a student-athlete can spend four years in college and make more than some would make in their lifetime. They can also spend four years in college and go to a different university in a different part of the country every year. The emphasis on going to college is not necessarily on getting an education, but simply playing sports in order to go to the pros.

A lot of student-athletes go to college and don’t even finish their degree in order to go to the NFL, or MLB, or NBA, or whatever professional league, in order to continue their career. However, they can’t play sports forever, and then what do they do after with no degree?

Sure, they have a professional career, and if they are lucky, they are big enough to not need a degree, but many of them don’t have anything to fall back on. Brayden Robinson doesn’t want that for himself, so while he chose Notre Dame for their football program, he also chose the Fighting Irish because of the education he can get while playing football.

Arkansas football’s season is quickly approaching. With just under 54 days until the Razorbacks take the field, the preseason rankings are flooding in. Phil Steele released his 2025 college football season preview and ranked all 136 teams from first to last. And where Arkansas ranks may surprise some.

Where Phil Steele ranks Arkansas

Steele ranked the Hogs at No. 33, just a few spots away from breaking into the top 25. However, fans should take this ranking with a grain of salt. Despite Arkansas’ decent position, Steele has 11 SEC teams ranked ahead of them. The only teams behind the Hogs are Mississippi State, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and, surprisingly, Missouri.

With all the production Arkansas is replacing via the Transfer Portal, the Hogs are lucky they’re being thought of as highly as they are. However, Sam Pittman did hit the portal with a purpose this season, bringing in studs on the offensive line to give the most important returning piece, Taylen Green, a chance. Defensively, the Hogs had to replace more, so it may be up to the offense to make Steele’s rankings a reality for the Razorbacks.

Phil Steele SEC rankings

1. Texas (3)
2. Alabama (4)
3. Georgia (7)
4. Oklahoma (8)
5. Texas A&M (9)
6. Florida (10)
7. LSU (11)
8. Tennessee (20)
9. Ole Miss (22)
10. Auburn (24)
11. South Carolina (27)
12. Arkansas (33)
13. Vanderbilt (38)
14. Missouri (43)
15. Kentucky (50)
16. Mississippi State (55)

Phil Steele top 25

1. Penn State
2. Notre Dame
3. Texas
4. Alabama
5. Ohio State
6. Clemson
7. Georgia
8. Oklahoma
9. Texas A&M
10. Florida
11. LSU
12. Michigan
13. Oregon
14. Miami
15. Arizona State
16. Indiana
17. Illinois
18. Baylor
19. Utah
20. Tennessee
21. USC
22. Ole Miss
23. SMU
24. Auburn
25. Texas Tech