'It's in the game,' and then some, with EA's College Football '27
<p>Ah, the good ol’ days of “NCAA Football ‘12” where, sure, the NCAA could hit the program for players taking “improper benefits” from an agent, but as the head coach – and sitting czar – of a nationally-ranked team, I had the right to slap said player on the wrist with a stern talking to.</p><p>Johnny Quarterback missing a game or games? Hilarious, EA Sports.</p><p>Oh my, have the times changed.</p><p>After an 11-year hiatus, EA re-launched the franchise and is now in Year 3 with College Football ’27. Warning to all Bud Kilmer wannabes: You are no longer in control.</p><p>That became very evident last season, when the transfer portal empowered the player roster to come and go as they pleased.</p><p>“You promised me playing time and red-shirted me. Redshirt this, Coach. Adios!”</p><p>A year later, welcome to NIL and financial strategy of a major college football program.</p><p>EA Sports has long stood behind the slogan “It’s in the game,” and they mean it with the release of College Football ’27. It’s not only the most realistic college sports game ever put out but has thrown its name in the hat for most realistic sports game, period.</p><p>That starts and ends with the welcomed changes to the popular Dynasty mode and the new Blueprint map that has to be navigated.</p><p>Yes, it starts with a budget. Pick a school like Kent State and maybe you can buy a few used rusty ice tubs. Lock in at Ohio State and you have the finances of a small country.</p><p>But that doesn’t mean instant spending spree. Like Biggie used to say, Mo Money, Mo Problems. Tons of problems. First, you’re going to need to pay a strategy guy to help with the budget. That comes after you pay your ego manic offensive coordinator and expensive defensive coordinator who are both threatening to leave.</p><p>By the way, the boosters want their piece of the pie so they can help raise more NIL money, so get a bag of cash ready for them.</p><p>And what about the facilities? After all, the top running back recruit in the nation wants to make sure the aquatic treadmills are state of the art, and the fruit on the snack table is organic. Keep writing those checks.</p><p>Then comes the recruiting, which now involves NIL payments to put a smile on the face of every five-star diva with huge demands. The more those demands are met, the happier the recruiting target gets.</p><p>Just when it feels like it’s time to focus on Xs and Os rather than the Johnnys and Joes, three existing running backs on the loaded roster decide they’re all going to make demands to up their NIL to stay put.</p><p>Dang right it’s “In the Game.”</p><p>But what about the actual gameplay? No worries there as EA continued to improve the game’s AI, making it an even more realistic experience. Offensive linemen actually stick to the assignment rather than float to an area, while defensive players attack with more realism rather than float around like cones.</p><p>Speaking of defense, the ability to adjust stunts and coverages is a few taps away now and much easier to navigate. A huge improvement there.</p><p>If there are a few stains on the latest release of the college football franchise it is the microtransactions that have been added. That means real money to upgrade the Ultimate Team mode, as well as buying XP for stat boosts in Dynasty and the Road to Glory modes.</p><p>Not that it comes as a surprise since many games have adopted this landscape, and no one says you have to purchase any of these boosts. They are shortcuts for the impatient.</p><p>There have been several criticisms with the reboot of the Mascot Mashup mode, but unless you’re under 12 years old what are you actually doing on that mode in the first place?</p><p>Is the latest version of the game perfect? No, but close. That’s why the final grade is an easy A.</p><p>Now excuse me, I just got word that my linebacker lost his NIL deal with a car dealership in town and wants some more money or he's leaving.</p><p>“It’s in the Game.”</p>