There are a lot of things I have had to come to terms with while writing this article. I may have an addiction. When I joined a website of writers that love college football just as much as me, I figured a bunch of them were also in love with the EA Sports’ NCAA Football 14, the last of its kind.
When I posted in the Student Union group chat that I was in the year 2030 without having simulated a game, the guys seemed a little too impressed. It was at this point I realized maybe I’d played this game too much….But how could you not? There are so many things I love about college football as a video game, from the recruitment process to unique experiences at different stadiums, even down to the gameplay. With games like Madden, the hardest level is always frustratingly hard with the level just below not being realistic enough for me. I don’t play a game with the goal of winning every single game by 30. I want a healthy challenge. NCAA Football has always given me that, with the Heisman level being perfect for rebuilding and eventually sustaining success. As I mentioned above, my current NCAA 14 dynasty is over 15 seasons deep…So I figured I’d give you guys a glimpse of the future and dive into where college football is in the year 2030, according to the video game. I’ll also talk a little bit about each of my rebuilds. And, EA Sports if you read this, we need NCAA Football the video game back in our lives as soon as possible.
The Rebuilds
I won’t bore you guys too much with the rebuilds, but to start a dynasty, team selection is key. I’m a Syracuse fan, but Syracuse is more middle of the road to slightly above average and I was more interested in a hard rebuild. I turned my eyes towards 2 teams. Both Georgia State and South Alabama were making their inaugural seasons in the FBS in the C-USA, so each seemed like a perfect option. I ended up joining Georgia State as the head coach. The key to my rebuild, as is any in college sports, was recruiting. I used in-state recruiting in Georgia, using tools to find gems and eventually built a very solid team. I won’t lie, it took a lot of time and patience. By 2017 I had moved to the Big 12 and by 2019 was a 6-star program. From 2019-2028, Georgia State won 6 national championships, cementing my first rebuild as a large success. After my sixth and final title with Georgia State in 2028, I decided it was time for a new project. I moved over one state and took over Troy located in Alabama. Two years in I’ve only been ranked as high as #14, but the recruitment process is in full swing. I also moved Troy into the American conference to be a step before joining an elite conference. Oh, and by the way, in my 17 years of coaching I have never simulated a game. Yeah, addiction might be the right word.
Where Are We Now
After all the games played and seasons completed, I figured it would be fun to go back and reflect on where some programs have gone, including some surprises. The year is 2030, and Georgia State (yes I made them way too good) sits at #1 in the country. Notre Dame, Oregon, and Oklahoma round out the top 4. Now let’s dive into the programs that have risen, and those that have taken several steps backward.
Rebuilt Programs
Our first surprise comes in at #5 with Navy. Fresh off of their first national championship ever in 2029, the uncontainable triple-option has helped the Midshipmen rise to a 6-star program and a consistently ranked team. While staying independent, Navy has played a tough schedule to have them amongst the toughest game by game teams to play.
Our next shock comes in at #8, where Cal has risen as the 2nd best team in the PAC 12 behind Oregon. Cal was able to win their 3rd national championship in 2023, one of only two PAC 12 teams to win a championship (the other being UCLA in 2022). This lack of championships from the PAC 12 should not surprise many.
Although UCF is yet to raise a real national championship trophy, their high powered offense has them ranked #10 in the country after losing the national championship to Navy the season before. As I moved Troy into the American conference, I can attest to the high flying Knights.
My fourth and final program to mention is Arkansas. Ranked #9 in 2030, the Razorbacks changed their offense to the triple option and have been a staple in the Top 10. Although they are yet to win a national championship, back to back SEC titles has them well on their way.
Finally, a shoutout to an entire conference. The Big 12 has produced the most national championships out of any other in the nation. With Georgia State winning six, the rest of the conference has also pulled its weight. With TCU (2018), Oklahoma (2021) and Texas (2028) all adding championships, the Big 12 has become the conference to beat with high paced, high passing offenses.
Faltering Programs
Easily the most notable program that has seemingly fallen off a cliff is Alabama. The Tide did not win a single national championship from 2014-2030, their last being in 2013. The crazy part is that Alabama has not been the only underachieving team in the conference. The SEC as a whole has not won a single championship throughout the entire dynasty. Not even one. They also have only 4 ranked teams in 2030; Arkansas (9), South Carolina (11), Alabama (13) and Missouri (18). How the mighty have fallen. The SEC has taken quite the tumble during this dynasty.
Oh, the ACC and Big 10 are far from off the hook. Each of these conferences has only produced one winner, with old powerhouses Nebraska and Miami hoisting the national championship trophy once. Big 10 front runners Penn State and Ohio State have combined for a 6-5 record on the 2030 campaign, with Penn State lacking even a conference championship since 2013.
To the ACC, Florida State has run the conference consistently but has not won a national title. The U is back, with Miami winning 2 national championships during the span and returning to a 6-star program. The biggest surprise lies with Clemson, who has failed to even win an ACC title and sits at 2-3 in 2030. Not sure what happened to Dabo Swinney, but it must have been bad.
By no means does NCAA Football 14 predict the future. Also, by my turning Georgia State into an Alabama-level program, I threw off some of the course of college football and snatched a couple titles from more realistic programs. However, it is fun to go through and see where a video game created in 2013 sees the state of the NCAA nearly 20 years later. One thing is for sure: we need another NCAA Football game. Imagine the graphics, the College Gameday crew, the atmospheres from each campus and the realistic nature of the recruiting. NCAA Football 19 would be the only game I’d play for the next five years (sorry Fortnite).