Set to launch worldwide on July 19, a full reveal of the modes and features of EA Sports College Football 25 was announced on Friday.

Dynasty and Road To Glory modes will be available in College Football 25, according to a release. Those two modes will allow players “to construct their own powerhouse program as a created coach or vie for the Heisman as a player” in what the video game introduces as CampusIQ, which will be “a suite of features that brings to life the true depth of college football through wide open, fast-paced gameplay across all 134 FBS schools in all areas of the game.”

READ: ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery introduce Venu Sports streaming service

Over 10,000 players have opted into College Football 25, it was announced in March. Any student-athlete who opts in and has their name, image and likeness used will receive $600 and a copy of the video game.

College Football 25 will also offer “the all-new Road to the College Football Playoff and College Football Ultimate Team” that will “bring fresh online experiences and ways to play.”

“EA SPORTS College Football is BACK! We’ve felt the passion and anticipation of college football fans every step of the way since we first announced this game, and we’re ecstatic to finally be able to show everyone what we’ve been building,” EA Sports SVP and Group GM Daryl Holt stated in a release. “College Football 25 is built with authenticity at its core, inspired by experiences our fans have loved from our games, and fully evolved to reflect modern college football – all of which will immerse them in the sights, sounds, and true-to-life gameplay of the sport they love.”

READ: Northwestern announces 2024 schedule, will play 2 games at Wrigley Field

READ: ABC, ESPN unveil Weeks 0-1 broadcast schedule

EA Sports unveiled the cover of College Football 25 on Thursday, showcasing Michigan running back Donovan Edwards, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and Colorado defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter. They will star on the covers of the Standard and Deluxe editions.

“Donovan, Quinn and Travis are extraordinary talents who impressed and entertained millions of college football fans on the field last season and are poised to do so again this year,” Holt stated in a release. “We’re proud to be able to incorporate thousands of current athletes in College Football 25, and featuring this trio of playmakers and their iconic college programs on the cover is a perfect fit as we usher in a new era for EA SPORTS and college football. I can’t wait for the world to learn more about the game tomorrow.”

ESPN broadcasters such as Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will “call marquee matchups,” along with other broadcast teams such as Rece Davis, Jesse Palmer and David Pollack will comprise the virtual booth and “take the mic for all other games.”

Among the gameplay features include Homefield Advantage, which will allow players to “through distractions like screen shaking, missing pre-play icons, and moving play art.” Additional features consist of Pre-Snap Recognition and the Wear & Tear System, which means virtual player stamina is affected by more play so it will be important to “manage your players’ health, limit fatigue, assess risk of injury, and avoid on-field mistakes by using strategic substitutions to ensure your players are at their best when it counts the most.”

The traditions within college football that make it one of a kind will be immersed in College Football 25. Along with team mascots and fight songs, the video game will include “unique team run-outs, rivalry rituals, synchronized crowd-chants, loudness meters as well as real game-day audio.”

READ: Colorado-Nebraska primetime kickoff announced for Week 2 matchup on NBC

Dynasty and Road To Glory modes are also offered in the video game alongside Road to the College Football Playoff, where players will “experience a new way to play competitively across consoles” and “earn rank by upsetting the toughest opponents and securing the votes you need to progress and level up divisions,” as well as College Football Ultimate Team.

College Football Ultimate Team will allow players to “build your dream team of college football stars and legends” in Solo Challenges or H2H seasons, and they can test their skill across consoles “in more competitive formats like College Football Ultimate Team Champs and Champs Gauntlet.”

EA Sports College Football 25 is available for pre-order now. According to Matt Brown of Extra Points, the video game will not be available for PC at launch. EA Sports is also offering an MVP bundle on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S that will include deluxe editions of College Football 25 and Madden NFL 25 “with 3-day early access and unlocks a multitude of benefits across both titles.”

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Baker released a statement Wednesday calling for sportsbooks to discontinue prop bets within college contests. He stated “the NCAA is drawing the line on sports betting to protect student-athletes and to protect the integrity of the game.”

READ: Washington names Washington State’s Pat Chun new AD

“Sports betting issues are on the rise across the country with prop bets continuing to threaten the integrity of competition and leading to student-athletes and professional athletes getting harassed,” Baker stated. “The NCAA has been working with states to deal with these threats and many are responding by banning college prop bets. This week we will be contacting officials across the country in states that still allow these bets and ask them to join Ohio, Vermont, Maryland and many others and remove college prop bets from all betting markets. The NCAA is drawing the line on sports betting to protect student-athletes and to protect the integrity of the game – issues across the country these last several days show there is more work to be done.”

Baker is the latest leader to put in question prop bets, which some states already disallow including Maryland and Ohio.

Irregular betting patterns have become a popular topic in recent years as mor states legalize sports gambling. Prop bets are unique because bettors gamble on outcomes unrelated to the final score.

According to Ralph D. Russo of The Associated Press, there are 38 states that allow some form of sports betting.

READ: Reports: Oregon State, Washington State finalize settlement with outgoing Pac-12 teams

The NCAA also “has partnered with a data science company called Signify, which also works with the NBA Players Association and WNBA, to identify online threats made to athletes during championship events that are linked to wagering,” according to the AP.

Here are where some states stand on sports gambling, according to the AP:

Arizona, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon and Pennsylvania “have rules prohibiting prop betting on college athletes that predate the NCAA’s recent push.”

Connecticut, Illinois and Iowa “do not allow college athlete prop bets involving in-state teams.”

READ: Cincinnati hires Brad Wittke as chief of staff

Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan and Wyoming “allow bettors to place prop bets on college athletes regardless of where they play.”

Ohio, Maryland and Vermont “have removed prop betting on college athletes online and in sportsbooks.”

Baker figures to lead an important effort to remove prop betting on college competition from sportsbooks. There have been instances around the NCAA, such as when a Temple men’s basketball regular season game was flagged by U.S. Integrity “for wagering irregularities,” according to the AP.

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EA Sports announced Monday on social media that “10,000+” student-athletes “are in the game.” It was announced in February that any player who opts in and has their name, image and likeness used in the game will receive at least $600 and a copy of “College Football 25.”

READ: 5 takeaways from the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine 

“10k and counting… pretty pretttyyy good,” @EASPORTSCollege posted on X.

All 134 Football Bowl Subdivision schools will be available to play in the new video game.

READ: Texas WR Xavier Worthy breaks 40-yard dash record with 4.21 time at NFL Combine

ESPN broadcasters such as Rece Davis and Kirk Herbstreit will make up “the voices” of “College Football 25.”

If a player doesn’t opt into the “College Football 25” video game, then “a generic avatar based on the traditional strength or weakness of a position over the past decade for that school” will be created by EA Sports, according to ESPN.

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College football players around the country shared on social media Thursday their participation in the upcoming EA Sports video game “College Football 25.”

EA Sports confirmed Thursday that all 134 Football Bowl Subdivision teams will be available to play in the new game.

READ: Reports: CFP discusses 14-team Playoff possibilities

More information about the game will be available in May, according to a release.

Players such as Michigan’s Will Johnson and Ohio State transfer Quinshon Judkins posted on X a graphic designed in their team’s colors promoting the video game.

ESPN broadcasters such as Rece Davis and Kirk Herbstreit shared posts confirming they’ll also appear as “one of the voices” of the game. Herbstreit posted “I’m so excited to FINALLY announce that I’m part of @EASPORTSCollege. I’m proud to be a partner and one of the voices of the game once again – my 14th year in that role.”

According to Michael Rothstein of ESPN, any player who opts in and has their name, image and likeness used in the game will receive at least $600 and a copy of “College Football 25.”

Additional opportunities such as advertisements, promotion, social media posts and other avenues will be available for players to have a chance to make more, according to ESPN.

READ: Alabama announces JaMarcus Shephard, Nick Sheridan join offensive coaching staff

No Football Championship Subdivision school will be available to play when the game launches, according to ESPN.

If a player doesn’t opt into the “College Football 25” video game, then “a generic avatar based on the traditional strength or weakness of a position over the past decade for that school” will be created by EA Sports, according to ESPN.

According to Ryan Kryska of The Associated Press, users who could create and add players of real-life college football players who did not opt into the “College Football 25” video game will be blocked from doing so.

The post ‘I’m in the game’: CFB players share their participation in upcoming EA Sports ‘College Football 25’ appeared first on Saturday Glory.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Elston will follow former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh to Los Angeles.

READ: Penn State Lands Commitment from Four-Star Linebacker

Elston arrived at Michigan ahead of the 2022 season following his playing days as a Wolverines from 1993-96. He garnered a wealth of coaching experience after his playing career finished with a 35-16 four-year record.

Before his time at Michigan, Elston coached 12 years at Notre Dame. He guided the defensive line in 10 of his 12 seasons with the Fighting Irish, and Elston also coached linebackers from 2015-16, special teams in 2010-11 and was the recruiting coordinator 2015-17 and in 2021.

Elston also has prior coaching stops at Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan and Cincinnati. He worked with the Eagles from 2001-03, the Chippewas from 2004-06 and the Bearcats from 2007-09.

READ: Carson Beck purchases new Lamborghini

Elston began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Michigan during its national championship-winning season in 1997.

Elston represents at least the second Wolverines defensive staff member to join Harbaugh with the Chargers. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter will fill the same role in Los Angeles.

The post Reports: Mike Elston departs Michigan, follows Jim Harbaugh to Los Angeles Chargers appeared first on Saturday Glory.

Moore succeeds Jim Harbaugh, who took the head coaching position with the Los Angeles Chargers.

READ: Reports: Missouri to hire South Alabama’s Corey Batoon as next defensive coordinator

“I want to thank Coach Harbaugh for the faith that he has displayed in me over the past six years and for supporting my growth as a football coach during that time,” Moore stated in a release. “I also want to thank Athletic Director Warde Manuel, President Santa Ono and members of the Board of Regents for putting their faith and trust in me to be the next leader of this football program. I am excited to reward that trust.

“I have been preparing my entire coaching career for this opportunity and I can’t think of a better place to be head coach than at the University of Michigan. We will do everything each day as a TEAM to continue the legacy of championship football that has been played at the University of Michigan for the past 144 years. Our standards will not change. We will be a tough, physical, disciplined, hungry, championship-level team that loves football and plays with passion for the game, the winged helmet and each other. We will also continue to achieve excellence off the field, in the classroom and in our communities. I am excited to start working in this new role with our players, coaches and staff.”

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Moore agreed to a five-year contract with the Wolverines. The agreement runs through the 2028 season.

READ: Reports: Arizona to hire Dino Babers as offensive coordinator

According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, Moore’s contact is at $5.5 million per year.

Moore will enter his seventh year at Michigan in 2024. He spent the first six as an offensive coach and the past three in a coordinator role.

Moore is the first African American head coach in Michigan program history.

“Sherrone has proven to be a great leader for our football program, especially the offensive line and players on the offensive side of the football,” Manuel stated in a release. “He is a dynamic, fierce and competitive individual who gets the best out of the players he mentors. The players love playing for him and being with him in the building every day.

“Sherrone stepped up this fall and served as the interim head coach when the program and especially the team needed him. Sherrone handled that situation in a way that sealed my already-growing confidence in him. He didn’t make it about him, it was always about the team! We are thrilled to have Sherrone and his wife, Kelli, and the entire Moore family step into this new role for our football program and university community.”

Moore also spent time coaching at Central Michigan from 2014-17 and Louisville as a graduate assistant from 2009-11 then as tight ends coach from 2012-13.

The post Michigan names Sherrone Moore next head coach appeared first on Saturday Glory.

The Buckeyes are followed in the CFP rankings by No. 2 Georgia, No. 3 Michigan and No. 4 Florida State. No. 5 Washington and No. 6 Oregon are right behind. 

PODCAST: Lance Leipold is the Exact Opposite of Deion Sanders

In somewhat of a surprise in the rankings, Oklahoma is No. 9 after suffering its first defeat of the season last week to No. 20 Kansas. The Sooners are behind No. 7 Texas, which they beat earlier this season. 

Also, Missouri checked in at No. 12, its highest CFP ranking since 2014. The Tigers were placed ahead of No. 14 LSU despite the Bayou Tigers having beaten Missouri already this season on the road. 

Here are several players and notes to keep a tab on in this week’s Big Board. 

Looking at the Big 12 Conference title picture 

The conference championship picture is coming into focus, albeit some are more clear than others. 

In the Big 12, there are five teams currently tied atop the standings: Iowa State, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas. 

All five teams have a 4-1 record in conference play. The Beavers have the longest current winning streak at four games. 

No. 25 Kansas State and No. 7 Texas will meet on Saturday in a ranked showdown that will have big Big 12 conference title implications. Both enter on winning streaks of multiple games. And Texas has the edge with a 7-1 overall record to the Wildcats’ 6-2 mark. 

Conference records will matter when it comes to which teams will match up in the Big 12 title game. As it stands, Iowa State has a 5-3 record while each of the four teams it is tied with own better records. 

READ: Quotables: Week 9

Oklahoma and Texas could meet in a rematch come the end of the season. The Sooners topped the Longhorns 34-30 in Week 6. 

But the Sooners stumbled for the first time last week. They lost to a hot Kansas team that ran for four touchdowns, and the Jayhawks are bowl eligible for the second-straight season. 

There is still plenty to sort out with the Big 12 title picture, and the scene will get clearer this week. 

An update on the Michigan sign stealing investigation 

It appears there is still a long way to go in the alleged Michigan sign stealing investigation by the NCAA. 

According to Adam Rittenberg and Pete Thamel of ESPN, Central Michigan is “investigating photos that show a man resembling Michigan Wolverines staff member Connor Stalions on its sideline for the Sept. 1 opener at Michigan State.” 

Reports had surfaced whether or not Harbaugh had been offered an extension recently. According to Andrew Beaton and Rachel Bachman of the Wall Street Journal, “The University of Michigan has rescinded a new contract offer for head football coach Jim Harbaugh in the wake of a sign-stealing scandal.”  

Harbaugh said on Monday that it’s not accurate that Michigan rescinded a contract extension offer. 

Last week, head coaches around college football spoke on the topic of sign stealing and how prevalent it happens in the game. Some coaches, like Colorado’s Deion Sanders, said teams still have to stop opposing teams on the field of play even if the suspicion of stolen signs is there, and others, like Nebraska’s Matt Rhule, said sign stealing happens “every game” and he advocated for increased technology on the sidelines. 

Jordan Travis, Florida State 

An early season Heisman Trophy hopeful, Florida State’s Jordan Travis is seemingly clicking at just the right time for the Seminoles. 

Travis set new season-highs in a number of categories last week against Wake Forest. The fifth-year quarterback threw 359 yards including an 80-yard heave against the Demon Deacons. 

In the second quarter alone, Travis tossed three touchdown passes of at least 14 yards. He finished completing 62.9% of his passes, the fourth-best mark of the season for him. 

Travis currently has 2,109 passing yards and 18 passing touchdowns. His legs also serve as a valuable and dangerous weapon as he has 205 rushing yards and six touchdowns, and the latter is second-most at Florida State. 

READ: Reports: Iowa AD Goetz announces OC Brian Ferentz won’t return at end of season

The Seminoles are riding a 14-game winning streak dating back to last season, and they’ve done so largely thanks to their quarterback Travis. They have several more tests this season coming particularly against Miami and Florida to round out the regular season. 

Travis’ current Heisman odds are +750, which are the fifth-best odds according to FanDuel Sportsbook. 

The post Big Board: Week 10  appeared first on Saturday Glory.

The 12 league members will all have their turn to talk about the upcoming season, set to kick off in Week Zero when Ohio University and San Diego State get things started.

The league released its conference preseason coaches poll on Thursday morning and a pair of teams out of the state of Ohio top the rankings in the East and West respectively.

MAC East

The Bobcats of Ohio are coming off of a 10-4 record last season and a 7-1 conference run that saw OU come up short against Toledo in a 17-7 decision.

OU will be led by quarterback Kurtis Rourke, a key piece that was not in the lineup for the MAC Championship Game in 2022, after an ACL tear.

Both Miami and Buffalo are getting support, each garnering first-place votes and separated by just one point in the scoring system.

MAC West

Toledo is picked to repeat as west champions with 11 of the 12 first place votes going to the Rockets. Jason Candle’s squad went 9-5 in the 2022 season and had a win both in the conference championship game over OU but also a big bowl win over Liberty, 21-19.

Eastern Michigan should be the biggest threat in the West with the lone remaining first-place vote. Toledo edged out EMU last season in a three-point win at Eastern and will benefit from hosting the Eagles at the Glass Bowl in 2023.

Champs: Toledo (7), Ohio (4), Buffalo (1)

Coaches feel that Toledo will defend its title with seven of the 12 votes going to the Rockets with four going to the Bobcats and a lone vote going to Buffalo, a team picked third in its own division by the consensus of coaches.

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