We're talking about a video game, not a real game. And yes, this is the most anticipated video game in college sports, and maybe sports in general, but still.
We're just two months away from the launch of EA Sports College Football 25, the first game in 11 years. Unlike its predecessor, you won't have to don a random numbered jersey from your favorite school, but instead get to take control of your favorite players and take part in one of the greatest traditions in sports.
CBS Sports tried to predict which schools would garner the highest ratings and be the best-playing teams when the game kicks off on July 19, and Michigan football finished in the top 10 at No. 8, tied with Penn State.
Michigan — 92nd Overall
attack: 87 | defense: 96
Michigan will need to replace the departures of 13 NFL draft picks and other key players from its 2023 team that went 15-0 and won the national championship. Many of those are on the offensive line, with key players like quarterback J.J. McCarthy, running back Blake Collum and receiver Roman Wilson gone. Wolverines running back Donovan Edwards, who was on the cover of College Football 25, will likely get a good early evaluation, and projected starting quarterback Alex Orji will be fun to play with given his athleticism. But Michigan's defense is pretty solid here. The Wolverines still have a lot of draft prospects on that front. Defensive lineman Mason Graham and cornerback Will Johnson lead the way as bona fide first-round picks.
Sure, Michigan lost more players than they did last year, but they still have a lot of talent. A big problem with the release of the video game is that we don't know at all what the real Wolverines will look like on the field this year. This is head coach Sherone Moore's first year and he'll have a similar system to predecessor Jim Harbaugh, but things could look very different when it comes to the real game, especially given the tougher-than-usual schedule.
Still, it will be a great day for college football and video game fans across the country, and even though Michigan isn't as highly rated as Ohio State or Georgia (as CBS Sports predicted), fans will have a blast playing as Donovan Edwards or Mason Graham.
