Just over a month ago, college football enthusiasts were treated to a long-awaited surprise from EA Sports. After an 11-year hiatus, the much-anticipated EA College Football 25 was released, updated to reflect the current landscape of the college football world.
The latest installment of the game boasts a host of modern features, including conference realignment, the intricacies of recruiting (with the inclusion of the transfer portal), and the revised college football playoff format. In preparation for the Arizona Wildcats' upcoming season, we decided to simulate their 2024 campaign to see what might unfold.
To ensure the simulation was as realistic as possible, we set the gameplay difficulty to the "Heisman" level, the most challenging option available. The available levels are Freshman, Varsity, All-American, and Heisman. The schedule was left untouched, with one minor adjustment—since NAU isn't featured in the game, they were replaced by "FCS Midwest." Additionally, the depth chart was left as is, pre-set by EA Sports.
Here's how the Wildcats' simulated 2024 season played out:
A Strong Start in Nonconference Play
Arizona began the season ranked No. 16 in the AP poll and wasted no time in making a statement. The Wildcats kicked off their campaign with a convincing 35-14 victory over New Mexico, setting the tone for what appeared to be a promising season. Standout performances included three interceptions by Tacario Davis and a 64-yard touchdown run by Tetaroia McMillan on a jet-sweep handoff.
Next up was FCS Midwest (substituting for NAU), where Arizona secured another win, this time by a score of 35-17. Quarterback Noah Fifita was the star of the game, throwing five touchdown passes, while linebacker Jacob Manu recorded his second career interception. Fifita's performance earned him the Big 12 Player of the Week honors as the Wildcats prepared for their final nonconference matchup against Kansas State.
Unfortunately, Arizona's momentum was halted in a 41-34 loss to Kansas State. The defeat dropped the Wildcats from No. 11 to No. 16 in the AP poll as they headed into their first bye week before Big 12 play.
Big 12 Begins with a Thriller
Following the bye week, Arizona moved up to No. 14 in the rankings as they faced off against No. 5 Utah. What followed was an epic showdown that required triple overtime to determine a winner. The Wildcats emerged victorious, with Rayshon ‘Speedy' Luke scoring the game-winning 2-point conversion in a thrilling 39-37 upset.
Arizona's success propelled them to No. 9 in the polls as they prepared for their first Big 12 home game against Texas Tech. The Wildcats delivered another impressive performance, securing a 37-31 victory. Fifita shone once again with four touchdown passes, and Tre Smith's two fumble recoveries were crucial in the win.
With their record now at 5-1, Arizona climbed to No. 7 in the polls ahead of a challenging road game against BYU. Running back Quali Conley led the way with 141 rushing yards and three touchdowns as the Wildcats secured a 49-35 win.
Top 5 and Rising Before Falling
Now ranked fifth in the nation, Arizona entered their Homecoming game against Colorado with bowl eligibility on the line. The Wildcats dominated the Buffaloes with a 51-24 victory, putting themselves in contention for the College Football Playoff. McMillan had a career-best game, amassing 268 receiving yards and five touchdown catches, which earned him Big 12 Player of the Year honors and boosted him to fourth in the Heisman Trophy odds.
However, Arizona's hopes were dashed with a 35-30 home loss to West Virginia just before the first CFP rankings were released. The loss dropped them to No. 17 in the initial Top 25.
The Wildcats' struggles continued with a heartbreaking 56-54 double-overtime loss to UCF, after squandering a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter. This defeat pushed them out of the playoff rankings entirely.
A Late-Season Title Push
After another bye week, Arizona rebounded with a 35-24 win over Houston, reclaiming a spot in the rankings at No. 25. McMillan once again proved to be the star, hauling in three touchdown passes and amassing 295 yards. The Wildcats followed this up with a 48-34 victory at TCU, setting the stage for a pivotal Territorial Cup matchup against Arizona State.
With bowl eligibility on the line for ASU and a potential Big 12 Championship berth for Arizona, the game was a nail-biter. The Wildcats, now ranked No. 14, emerged victorious with a 36-31 win, securing their place in the conference title game.
As the regular season concluded, Arizona had plenty of impressive individual stats:
Noah Fifita led the Big 12 with 3,655 passing yards and 41 touchdowns.
Quali Conley rushed for 1,049 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Tetaroia McMillan led the Big 12 with 1,287 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, ranking second nationally. He was also the team's second-leading rusher.
Safety Genesis Smith led the Big 12 with 95 tackles.
Tacario Davis recorded four interceptions.
Kicker Tyler Loop made nine of 12 field goal attempts and converted 57 of 61 extra points.
Arizona led the nation in total offense with 5,866 total yards, averaging nearly 500 yards per game.
Postseason Heartbreak
Entering the Big 12 Championship game, Arizona had a shot at reaching the College Football Playoff, while McMillan was in the running for the Heisman Trophy, sitting third in the odds. However, UCF once again proved to be the Wildcats' kryptonite, handing Arizona a 31-21 loss and dashing their playoff hopes. The Wildcats would go on to face Iowa in the Independence Bowl.
In a season filled with highs and lows, Arizona's campaign ended on a sour note. Trailing by eight points late in the game, Fifita connected with McMillan for a touchdown, but the 2-point conversion attempt failed, resulting in a 24-22 loss to the Hawkeyes.
The Wildcats finished with a 9-5 record, going 7-2 in Big 12 play. McMillan ended up fourth in the Heisman voting.
While this was just a video game simulation, it provided a glimpse into what could be a rollercoaster season for Arizona. For those looking to enhance their experience in EA College Football 25, College Football 25 Coins offer the opportunity to unlock new features and gear. The real Wildcats' season begins Saturday against New Mexico—let's see how reality compares to the virtual world.
MMOexp College Football 25 Team