The wait is almost over! EA Sports College Football25 is set to release on Friday, July 19. 247Sports is proud to be the exclusive media group to get early access to playing the game. To make sure fans are ready for the launch of EA College Football 25, we're previewing some of the top teams in the video game, starting with one of the most exciting and dynamic teams in recent years—the Oregon Ducks.
DuckTerritory team expert Matt Prehm has you covered with a Q&A session to get you ready to play with Oregon in College Football 25. Matt will pinpoint everything you need to know about the Oregon Ducks roster, from impact players to choosing the best offensive and defensive playbooks, and highlighting key games on the 2024 football schedule.
Which impact players should fans be controlling for Oregon when they pick up the controller?
You will instantly look at quarterback Dillon Gabriel and see a talented quarterback who can sling the ball all over the football field, and that will be fun, no doubt. That being said, give me Oregon's offensive skill players, receivers Tez Johnson and Evan Stewart, and running backs Jordan James and Noah Whittington. Johnson and Stewart will be two of the fastest players in the Big Ten Conference and maybe the country at the receiver position. Their big playmaking ability and deep shots will be exciting to use in the short passing game. When running back, you've got two different styles of runners. James is a bruising back who will run over defenders trying to tackle him, while Whittington is a shifty back who can be a threat in the run and passing games. Use these playmakers in one-on-one situations will be fun and exciting as they all have the playmaking ability to hit the touchdown any time the touch the ball.
What are the best offensive and defensive playbooks to use with Oregon?
I'd choose an offensive playbook built around a lot of RPO action with Dillon Gabriel as the quarterback. You'll want to use his threat of running the football to your advantage, and you've got a nice safety net if he gets hurt, starting with last year's starting quarterback at UCLA, Dante Moore, as his backup. Use Gabriel's legs and the speed and playmaking ability at receiver to open up the middle of the field for your running game to unleash fury.
On the defensive side of the football, Oregon's secondary should be good with its offseason additions of guys like Jabbar Muhammad from Washington and Kam Alexander from UTSA. Combine them with returners Jahlil Florence and Dontae Manning and the Ducks feel loaded at the cornerback spot. With elite cornerbacks and ball-hawking safeties on the roster, take advantage of your ability to cover 1-on-1 and attack the QB with pressures from the edges or up the middle. You'll want to generate pressures from edge Jordan Burch and a trio of sophom*ore outside linebackers or edges in Matayo Uiagalelei, Blake Purchase, and Teitum Tuioti.
When playing year one of dynasty mode with Oregon, what game should fans circle on the schedule?
Three games, in my eyes, are circled for me in real life, and they'll be just as big within the video game. The first is Oregon's home date against Ohio State on October 12th. We'll get a good feel for how the game's atmosphere impacts Ohio State's offense and defense in one of the most hostile stadiums. This is maybe the biggest regular season game of the year in all conferences. Next will be a trip to The Big House against Michigan in early November. Oregon going across the country to play the defending national champions will put a big test on Oregon's players as they play in front of 100K fans. Can Oregon's players stay focused, or will they get rattled? Two weeks later, the Ducks hit the road once again and got a stop at Camp Randall on November 16th against Wisconsin. It'll be an electric atmosphere and a chance for fans to get an early look at the Badgers' Jump Around celebration.
What should your strategy be withOregon to put them in a position to win a national title within a few years?
If you're choosing to play the Oregon Ducks, it will be all about maintaining the program's status. That's keeping your elite players from hitting the portal for a new school and recruiting the nation's best recruits to Eugene. At Oregon, the program has elevated itself to the point where you need to recruit elite offensive and defensive lines every cycle and then fill the skill players with as much speed and depth as possible. Without a recruiting hotbed within the state of Oregon, you'll need to recruit nationally by dipping into California, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Georgia, and Florida for their best prospects. Good luck because you will have to battle major blueblood programs within those states to get the talent to come to Eugene. As the coach at Oregon you'll have to get creative in the ways you recruit nationally without a recruiting hot bed, and you'll need to lean into the portal to fill up any holes that pop up.
What is the first play you are calling to start the season?
Knowing Oregon's offense features one of the sport's most accomplished and talented quarterbacks this coming season, combined with elite playmakers at receiver and tight end, I'll be rolling with a deep shot down the field. Give me a play that sends Tez Johnson and Evan Stewart deep across the field looking for a home run ball on the first play of the game, with possession receiver Traeshon Holden and tight end Terrance Ferguson running across the middle of the field to give you a nice underneath route. If nothing is open, you've got Dillon Gabriel's ability to scramble and make a play with his legs.
247Sports' Bud Elliott, also of the Cover3 podcast, had this to say about Oregon in the game.
"Playing as Oregon in EA Sports College Football 2025 is going to be a blast! You'll get to control quarterback Dillon Gabriel, launching deep throws to wide receivers like Tez Johnson and Evan Stewart, who can make spectacular catches. On the defensive side, where are the weaknesses? Oregon seems to have answers who are at least good, and potentially great at every position. With such a dynamic offense and a fierce defense, leading the Ducks to victory will be an exciting challenge."
In 2013, Bud created the Blue Chip Ratio— a breakdown of programs that have done well enough on the recruiting trail to actually win the College Football Playoff. You will be able to see Bud's ratio in the game.
EA College Football 25 will be available on July 19. For more team previews, check out 247Sports and CBSSports.com over the coming week.
