This story was originally published by Dead Spin
EA Sports College Football 25 is dominating the world of sports right now, as the game made its long-awaited return last week.
And if it’s all your friends are talking about, you are not alone. The entire Ohio State football team is in the game, as instructed by their head coach, Ryan Day.
At Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis, Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer explained that Day instructed his team to use the game as a tool to better learn opponents.
“I grew up playing that game and was dying for it to come back,” Sawyer said. “And it’s surreal to be a part of the game its first year back. It’s super cool being able to play with the Buckeyes and play with myself. It’s a unique experience.”
The playbook, playcalling, graphics and everything surrounding this iteration of College Football 25 is very realistic. But this is probably one of the first times ever where a coach of a major program is actually encouraging his players to hop on a video game.
While playing video games will probably never replace studying actual game film, it’s an interesting layer. College Football 25 includes real NCAA athletes who were compensated fairly for the use of their name, image and likeness. While it seems bizarre for a coach to instruct his players to play video games in order to prepare them for actual games, this game is so detailed that you can almost see where Day is coming from.
And, in case you had any doubts, Buckeyes players are responding.
Buckeyes defensive back Denzel Burke said that he has played the game “every day since it came out.”
This iteration of the game did not include Day or any college football coaches, likely in an effort to save some money after paying each student athlete $600 and a free copy of the game for their usage.
However, Day’s passion for coaching the game of football runs so deep that he’s been coaching his son, RJ, while he plays the video game. Day also admitted that he wishes that he was in the game as Ohio State’s head coach.
“So I haven’t played it, but I coach it. So RJ plays it, and I tell him what to run,” Day said. “I’m a little disappointed I’m not in it. I’d like to be in it.”
Day will have to turn his focus to coaching the actual Buckeyes, who are desperate for a win against Michigan on November 30. Buckeyes football kicks off on August 31 at Ohio Stadium against Akron.
