The NCAA Football video game series is an all time classic, (may it rest in peace.) Until EA Sports works something out with the NCAA, we’re left reminiscing on the past. One of the game modes fans knew and loved was mascot mode. It’s exactly what it sounds like. Playing a regular football game with a roster full of your favorite teams mascots. Of course some mascots were better to play with than others. That leaves the question of which 10 were the best 10? Through hours of game play and film study I have compiled the most accurate top 10 that has ever been created.
10: Notre Dame’s Leprechaun
Notre Dame’s Leprechaun might not be the coolest mascot to look at but his small frame and light weight make him the ideal candidate to run a lighting fast option offense. Do you really think a mascot like Sparty is going to outrun this little guy? His speed comes with consequences though because he’s not wearing any pads. It won’t take much to knock the lucky charms out of this leprechaun. He’ll be signing post game autographs in the emergency room while he’s being treated for CTE.
9: Michigan State’s Sparty
Sparty is an old school style football player. He’s wearing minimal pads and his helmet doesn’t have a face mask. When you see Sparty lining up at defensive end your quarterback stands no chance. Before you know it he’s off the line giving you a spartan kick into the last decade. To top it all off no one has a better touchdown cry then this guy. Who doesn’t love a good “This is SPARTA!” yell after every score?
8: Oklahoma State’s Pistol Pete
Pistol Pete has the fastest hands in the land. You’re not going to beat him in a quick draw and you’re not going tackle him while the ball is still in his hands. He’s a defense’s worst nightmare. Before the D-line can even take a step he’s got the ball to his receiver and it’s going for six. His giant head and even bigger cowboy hat put him right up there with the rest of the mascot greats. If one things for sure, you can’t tell this cowboy nothing.
7: UCF’s Knightro
Taking the field with a team full of Knightros looks like you’re getting ready to defend King’s Landing from an oncoming massacre…..oops spoiler alert. Knightro is covered head to toe in golden armor which makes him almost impossible to bring down. All that armor has to weigh him down which makes him a slower option but this guy can pound the rock. The only downside is that no matter how many games you win with him, you’ll never get invited to the College Football Playoff and you’ll have to self claim a National Championship.
6: Toledo’s Rocky
Rocky has been training in zero gravity his entire life. His stamina and futuristic approach to training make him a valuable player at running back, wide receiver, or corner. This guy thrives in space and if you give him too much he’ll make you pay. Leave him in open space and he’ll kick it into light-speed. It’s gonna be a long long time before you catch this guy in the open field because he’s a rocket man.
5: Miami’s Sebastian
One day in Orlando, Donald Duck got tired of his day jobbed and started driving south to Miami. After months of training and steroids, Sebastian was born. Now this is one ugly duckling, but he’s big, mean, and ready to rock you like a hurricane. When looking for a linebacker you want a guy that’s big, fast, aggressive, and not afraid to knock someone out. It’s safe to say that this duck fits the bill. Sebastian is more than ready to quack some skulls on the gridiron.
4: UAB’s Blaze
Blaze follows the same bloodline as Drogon and when you fly into the stadium with a roster full of dragons it’s safe to say your opponent starts to feel the heat. Blaze is an incredible two way player. He lines up at receiver on offense and turns around on defense and plays corner. When he’s moving down the field it’s almost like he’s flying. His speed burns defenders off the line and leaves them as a pile of ashes. When he gets hot he’ll be dragon your team all over the field.
3: Florida’s Albert
This is one angry gator. No one really knows why he’s so angry but mamma says it’s because he has all those teeth and no toothbrush. Albert is a terrifying defender and he’s ready to chomp opposing running backs that dare to come near him. Be careful, just when you think you found open space that big tail of his will trip you up.
2: Syracuse’s Otto the Orange
Otto could easily be the best mascot in the game, but I felt like he just belonged at #2. There’s nothing better than running down the field with a big orange ball, steamrolling every defender in sight. When this orange takes the field people pay attention because they know that the juice is about to be loose.
Honorable Mention:
Before I get to the best mascot to use in NCAA Football mascot mode I wanted to list some honorable mention picks. Mascots that are still solid options but just not quite top 10 material
- ECU’s Pee Dee
- Maryland’s Testudo
- Ohio State’s Brutus
- Oregon’s Duck
- Penn Sate’s Nittany Lion
- Texas Tech’a Raider Red
- Alabama’s Big Al
1: Stanford’s Tree
The Tree is the clear cut number one mascot in this game. Yeah the other mascots are cool. We like seeing dragons and oranges all over the field but there’s nothing quite the same as seeing a forest of trees planted firm on defense ready to lay out an opponent like Notre Dame’s Leprechaun. The Tree’s tricky offensive play calling is sure to stump their opponents and this defense is strong and sturdy like an Oak. With it’s big mouth and giant bug eyes, the Stanford Tree is easily the most fun mascot to play a game with.
