My Freshman Year as a Mountaineer: A Road to Glory in EA Sports College Football 25

Welcome to Rahl Reviews, where we delve into the latest in gaming. Today, I’m taking you through my journey in EA Sports College Football 25’s Road to Glory mode. My name is Tanner Rahl, and I committed to West Virginia University as a freshman quarterback, ready to make my mark on the Mountaineers and the city of Morgantown. Let’s dive into the highs, lows, and everything in between.

Preseason Hype & Ultimate Team

Before embarking on my Road to Glory journey, I dipped my toes into Ultimate Team, enjoying the preorder bonuses that came with the game. This was a fun way to get familiar with the gameplay and mechanics. However, my true passion lay in the Road to Glory mode, where I aimed to rise through the ranks as a quarterback at WVU.

Week 1: WVU vs. Penn State

Our season opener against Penn State in Morgantown was a nail-biter. We fell short, losing 21-19. Garrett Greene, the senior QB, had a decent game, but our offense couldn’t seal the deal.

Week 2: WVU vs. Cupcake Team

We bounced back with a comfortable 35-17 victory against a less formidable opponent. Confidence was high, but I knew my time to shine was still in the shadows.

Week 3: The Backyard Brawl

In Week 3, we faced our rivals, Pitt. It was a close game, but we ended up losing 2-3. This game stung, but I remained optimistic about our season.

Week 4: WVU vs. Kansas

A thrilling 28-25 win against Kansas gave us a much-needed boost. I was still on the bench, but my anticipation grew with each game.

Week 5: WVU vs. Oklahoma State

In Week 5, we faced Oklahoma State and went down 28-0. Late in the game, I got my first chance to play. I rushed for my first collegiate touchdown, a moment I’ll never forget. Maybe now the coaches would notice the talent waiting on the sidelines.

Week 6: WVU vs. Iowa State

Against a strong Iowa State team, we pulled off a surprising 41-17 victory. Garrett Greene had a stellar performance, and I was back to waiting for my next opportunity.

Midterms & Upgrades

As midterms approached, I focused on my academics, ensuring straight As. I upgraded my physical abilities, boosting my Extender to break tackles better and enhancing my pocket movement with Magician. Michael Vick was my inspiration, and I aimed to emulate his playstyle.

Week 7: WVU vs. Kansas State

Down 37-10 to Kansas State, I got another shot late in the game. I threw an interception but also managed to score. Despite the loss, I was starting to see more playtime.

Week 8: Midterms and NIL Deal

By midterms, my GPA was a perfect 4.0. I also secured a new NIL deal, boosting my toughness each week. This preparation was crucial as we faced the top-ranked Arizona Wildcats in Week 9.

Week 9: WVU vs. Arizona

I finally started against Arizona. Despite a solid performance, we lost 34-17. The limited play-calling in Road to Glory mode started to frustrate me, but I kept pushing forward.

Week 10: WVU vs. Cincinnati

After a bye week, we faced Cincinnati. The crowd was intense, and despite a strong effort, we lost 42-28. My chances of starting consistently were dwindling, and the season’s outlook was bleak.

Week 11: WVU vs. Baylor

Against Baylor, I didn’t get a single snap. We lost 23-21, and my frustrations with the coaching decisions grew.

Week 12: WVU vs. UCF

Facing #14 UCF, Greene had a phenomenal game, completing all 20 of his passes and throwing 6 touchdowns. My chances of playing again this season were slim.

Week 13: WVU vs. Texas Tech

We ended the season against Texas Tech with a 33-27 overtime victory. Greene led the team once more, and I watched from the sidelines.

Season Wrap-Up

We finished the season 5-7, with a 5-4 record in the Big 12. I ended my freshman year with limited playing time but valuable experience. My final stats were 36/62, 4 TDs, 3 INTs, and 434 yards. Greene finished with 201/293, 19 TDs, 7 INTs, and 2,335 yards.

Conference Championships & Playoffs

The season concluded with notable performances across the nation. The College Football Playoff saw some surprising teams and familiar faces:

1. Oregon 12-0
2. Utah 11-1
3. Miami 10-2
4. Kentucky 10-2
5. Michigan 9-3
6. Notre Dame 10-2
7. Tennessee 9-3
8. Texas A&M
9. Arkansas
10. USC
11. Ole Miss
12. Jacksonville State

Oklahoma finished #13 going into Conference Championship week, losing 35-17 to LSU and narrowly missing the playoff. Cincinnati finished with a strong 24-17 victory over TCU to move up to #16, but that win over a non-ranked opponent wasn’t enough to find themselves in the playoff. Jacksonville State won their conference title game against Western Kentucky 34-31, securing a playoff spot with a 10-2 record. Baylor finished ranked #23 with a 9-3 record and you could argue they’d be ranked top 12 had they not lost to us (WVU) late in the season.

Here’s how the remaining teams landed to round out the top 25 to finish season 1:

13. Arizona 9-3
14. Alabama 7-5
15. Washington 8-4
16. Cincinnati 10-2
17. Ohio State 8-4
18. Indiana 9-3
19. Auburn 7-5
20. Penn State 8-4
21. Georgia 8-4
22. Jacksonville State 10-2
23. Baylor 9-3
24. Louisville 8-4
25. Louisiana 10-2

The 2024 Heisman Trophy Finalists

• QB Dillon Gabriel (Oregon): Led the Ducks to the #1 ranking and went 20-27 for 352 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 38-14 victory over #15 Washington. Finished with 3,968 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions, winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
• QB Jordan McCloud (Texas State): Despite a strong performance, Texas State lost their final game of the season to South Alabama 42-39. McCloud threw for 370 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception, also rushing for a fifth touchdown.
• WR Treason Holden (Oregon): Caught only one pass, but it was for 73 yards and a touchdown from Heisman winner Dillon Gabriel.
• QB Cameron Ward (Miami): Led the Hurricanes to a 10-2 record, with a standout performance in their final game against Syracuse, throwing for 298 yards and 2 touchdowns.
• QB Gio Lopez (South Alabama): Put up huge numbers against Texas State, throwing for 466 yards, 5 touchdowns, and rushing for another in a 42-39 victory.

Conference Championship Results

The Conference Championships played out with these results:

• Conference USA: Jacksonville State defeats Western Kentucky 20-13.
• Big 12 Championship: Cincinnati loses to Utah 34-21.
• MAC Championship: Kent State defeats Western Michigan 38-24.
• Sun Belt Championship: Tulane defeats Charlotte 21-18.
• Mountain West Championship: Boise State defeats New Mexico 31-29.
• SEC Championship: Kentucky defeats Tennessee 32-18.
• ACC Championship: California loses to Miami 33-18.
• Big Ten Championship: USC defeats Oregon 37-34.

Final College Football Top 12 Playoff Rankings

The final 2024 College Football Playoff rankings:

1. Utah
2. Miami
3. Kentucky
4. USC
5. Michigan
6. Notre Dame
7. Oregon
8. Tennessee
9. Texas A&M
10. Ole Miss
11. Arkansas
12. Jacksonville State

National Championship

The 2024 National Championship ended up being between Notre Dame Fight Irish and Utes of Utah, with Utah taking it 42-38.

Looking Ahead

Despite a challenging freshman year, I’m optimistic about my future at WVU. With Greene graduating, I’m ready to compete for the QB1 position against Nicco Marchiol. My sophomore year holds promise, and I’m determined to lead the Mountaineers to glory. We both have around the same player overall, so I’m hoping to dazzle coach at practice with my speed and wit.

Review of College Football 25

Road to Glory mode in EA Sports College Football 25 offers a unique experience, blending gameplay with academic and leadership responsibilities. While the limited play-calling can be frustrating at first, the overall experience is immersive and rewarding once you get the chance. The game’s graphics, mechanics, and depth make it a must-play for college football enthusiasts.