A new era has dawned with the return of college football video games, marking the end of what many fans considered the Dark Ages. However, this revival is not without its issues. One significant problem is the lack of guidance on a fundamental game mechanic: pipelines. Besides a brief mention in the Dynasty Deep Dive blog post, the game itself offers no explanation. Let's explore how pipelines work in College Football 25.

What Are Pipelines

Pipelines are a crucial mechanic in CFB25's dynasty mode that significantly affects recruiting. Each school, coach, and recruit has a designated pipeline, representing a geographic region in the United States (e.g., East Texas, Big Apple, South Florida). There are 50 total pipelines in CFB25, each influencing the recruitment process differently.

How Do Pipelines Work

When creating a coach, you select your alma mater and your pipeline. While the alma mater choice is merely cosmetic, the pipeline selection profoundly impacts your gameplay experience. Let's break down pipelines into three main categories: School Pipelines, Coach Pipelines, and Player Pipelines.

School Pipelines

Certain schools have a historical advantage in recruiting from specific pipelines, based on real historical data. For example, the Florida Gators typically have an edge in recruiting from Central Florida, outperforming rivals like Miami, Florida State, or UCF. In CFB25, this historical preference is mirrored, giving the Gators an easier time securing recruits from that region.

Similarly, LSU has a historical pull from East Texas, reflected in the game with LSU's enhanced ability to recruit from there. Schools also tend to favor coaches whose pipelines align with their own. While not a game-breaking detail, aligning your chosen pipeline with your school's can enhance your recruiting success. For instance, pairing Oregon with a Big Apple pipeline might not be the optimal choice.

Coach Pipelines

Coach pipelines operate similarly to school pipelines. If you choose the Big Apple pipeline, recruits from the New York/New Jersey area will be easier to attract. However, recruits usually prioritize proximity to home over a coach's pipeline, meaning a school's pipeline generally holds more sway than the coach's.

Player Pipelines

In the recruiting menu, each recruit's origin is displayed, indicating their pipeline. For example, a recruit from Crosby, Texas, falls under the East Texas pipeline. Schools like Texas Longhorns, Texas A&M, and LSU will find it easier to recruit this player compared to Oregon or USC.

How Pipelines Influence Gameplay

Pipelines do more than just simplify or complicate recruiting; they also influence the types of players you can recruit. Just like in real life, top recruits often hail from California, Texas, and Florida. If you're aiming for the best recruits, selecting one of these areas as your pipeline is wise.

Different regions produce distinct types of players. Texas typically produces strong recruits, Florida is known for smaller, faster players, and the Midwest is famous for top-tier offensive linemen. If speed is your priority, Central or South Florida pipelines are ideal. Conversely, if building a formidable offensive line is your goal, an Iowa pipeline would be beneficial.

The primary gameplay decisions involving pipelines are:

    Matching Your Pipeline with Your School: Ensuring your chosen pipeline aligns with your selected school can enhance recruiting success.

    Targeting Specific Player Types: Decide if you want to focus on certain player attributes, such as strength or speed.

    Choosing Between High-Profile Prospects and Local Gems: Weigh the benefits of pursuing highly sought-after recruits from well-known regions against finding hidden gems closer to home.

The pipeline system adds a strategic layer to CFB25, making the recruiting process more engaging and realistic. Unfortunately, the game fails to adequately explain this mechanic, leaving players to discover its nuances on their own. Understanding pipelines can significantly enrich your gameplay experience, transforming recruiting from a daunting task into a compelling strategic challenge.

In summary, understanding and utilizing pipelines in CFB25 is essential for a successful dynasty. Coupled with the strategic use of College Football 25 Coins, you can optimize your recruiting efforts, adapt to different challenges, and ultimately lead your team to victory.

MMOexp College Football 25 Team