With each passing day, sports video gamers inch closer to the return of EA Sports’ wildly popular NCAA Football franchise.
While the wait for July 19 continues (or July 16 for those paying extra for early access), the video game company is releasing snippets this week revealing some of the game’s most anticipated features and rankings.
On Tuesday, EA Sports revealed its top 25 “toughest places to play” in the upcoming College Football 25 title, and Kyle Field — home of the Texas A&M Aggies — came in at No. 1 on the list.
To create the rankings list, EA Sports factored in historical stats such as home winning percentage, home game attendance, active home winning streaks, team prestige, and more.
Despite going 7-6 in 2023, a season that also saw the firing of Jimbo Fisher as head coach, Texas A&M did compile a 6-1 record inside the friendly confines of 102,733 screaming fans in College Station. The Aggies only loss came against eventual College Football Playoff participant Alabama, a 26-20 loss in October.
No place like the Home of the #12thMan.@EASPORTSCollege’s 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐄𝐒𝐓 place to play…Kyle Field.#CFB25 x #GigEm pic.twitter.com/4OPDyLeQn3
— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) June 25, 2024
In the 11 seasons since the last NCAA football game was released by EA Sports, the Aggies have compiled a home record of 48-18.
Audio and in-game modifiers such as blurred routes for receivers, incorrect play art, player confidence and composure affects, and screen shaking are some of the impacts away teams and players will be forced to compete against. The higher a team’s stadium ranking, the worse the affects. (Rankings are subject to change in future updates to the game.)
Among other area teams on the countdown, Oklahoma’s Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (capacity 83,489) was ranked No. 8 and Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin (capacity 100,119), home of the Texas Longhorns, came in at No. 19.
Here’s a look at the full top 25 toughest places to play:
1. Kyle Field - Texas A&M
2. Bryant-Denny Stadium - Alabama
3. Tiger Stadium - LSU
4. Ohio Stadium - Ohio State
5. Sanford Stadium - Georgia
6. Beaver Stadium - Penn State
7. Camp Randall Stadium - Wisconsin
8. Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium - Oklahoma
9. Doak S. Campbell Stadium - Florida State
10. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium - Florida
11. Autzen Stadium - Oregon
12. Memorial Stadium - Clemson
13. Neyland Stadium - Tennessee
14. Jordan-Hare Stadium - Auburn
15. Williams-Brice Stadium - South Carolina
16. Michigan Stadium - Michigan
17. Lane Stadium - Virginia Tech
18. Rice-Eccles Stadium - Utah
19. Darrell K. Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium - Texas
20. Kinnick Stadium - Iowa
21. Notre Dame Stadium - Notre Dame
22. Spartan Stadium - Michigan State
23. Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium - Arkansas
24. Albertsons Stadium - Boise State
25. Davis Wade Stadium - Mississippi State
Find more college sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
