By Rock Westfall
How the mighty have fallen. The Nebraska Cornhuskers are one of the most historic power programs in college football. But because of their floundering since Bo Pelini’s firing after the 2014 season, Nebraska is in the fourth tier of the highly anticipated and recently released EA Sports College Football 25 game.
The formula for payments was straightforward enough. EA Sports used the basic format of Top 25 finishes over the past ten years. Tier 1 schools receive $99,875.16, Tier 2 $59,925.09, Tier 3 $39,950.06, and Tier 4 $9,987.52.
Nebraska humbly sits in the basement of Tier 4 with such programs as Cal, Rutgers, Maryland, Purdue, and most Mid-American Conference Schools. Ouch.
On the top end, powerhouse programs such as Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon, and Oklahoma reside, as fans would expect.
Oregon gets $100k from EASports College Football. Washington getting $60k. Oregon State and WSU paid $40k each.
Interesting look at tiers via
@cllctMedia. Uses AP Poll rankings from the last decade.Tier 1: $99,875.16
Tier 2: $59,925.09
Tier 3: $39,950.06
Tier 4: $9,987.52 pic.twitter.com/QTbEfLaCvn— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) May 24, 2024
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A Power Brand Humiliated for Being in the Deep Big Red
On the one hand, it’s easy to say that Nebraska has its just deserts. Since 2015, it has had one winning season, and its last bowl game was in 2016. But a deeper dive reveals that other factors should have been taken into account, including the power of program brands.
In rating the most valuable college football programs (as if they were pro franchises), Nebraska consistently ranks in the nation’s Top 25 and often near the Top 10. Such rankings take into account fan support, finances, profitability, and TV ratings. Nebraska continues to stand apart from many programs that have had greater on-field success as a brand. Since 1962 and the Kennedy Administration, Nebraska has sold out Memorial Stadium for every game.
Two of the most surprising Tier 1 schools are Oklahoma State and Iowa. Certainly, both programs have had more consistent success than Nebraska over the past decade. But does anyone really believe Oklahoma State and Iowa will get as much joystick time from EA Sports gamers as Nebraska? It’s hard to believe, especially when considering that for Nebraska’s passionate nationwide fan base, College Football 25 might be the only vehicle to see the Big Red win a national title.
Next, consider such Tier 2 programs as Cincinnati, Northwestern, Baylor, Michigan State, Louisville, Central Florida, Mississippi State, Utah State, San Diego State, South Florida, UCLA, Houston, and others. It’s difficult to imagine gamers preferring to play those teams in preference to Nebraska.
Liked on YouTube: EA Sport College Football 25 P4 Conference Tier Rankings | Big 10 | SEC | Big 12 | ACC | Realignment https://t.co/7FH3EnQG5F
— Carlarjenkins (@carlarjenkins) May 28, 2024
A Stunning Fall Into the Darkness but Light Can Be Seen
Younger fans forget that Nebraska was once the premier program in college football, with five national championships from 1970 through 1997, along with several near misses. But since that final natty, a slow decline rapidly accelerated when Pelini was fired. However, it looks as if second-year head coach Matt Rhule is quickly turning the tide. Lead FOX college football analyst Joel Klatt has the Huskers in his post-spring Top 25, as do others.
The worst is over for Nebraska. Spring football flashed plenty of potential, led by 5-Star freshman sensation Dylan Raiola at quarterback. It won’t be long before the Big Red climbs the EA Sports tiers. And with its continued status as a lead brand and franchise, it’s already there in reality.
The EA Sports tiers lead into one of the most highly anticipated games of the early season. Colorado has been as bad roughly bad as Nebraska over the past decade and lacks the Big Red’s status as a historical brand. But the Buffaloes are in Tier 3, one above Nebraska. Thus, the story angles continue to grow for the September 7 prime-time NBC showdown.
"Watch out for @HuskerFootball" 👀 Clocking in at No. 22 on @joelklatt's post spring top 25: Nebraska
What will we see out of them this season? pic.twitter.com/Hs1bJmW9Nl
— The Joel Klatt Show: A CFB Pod (@JoelKlattShow) May 6, 2024
The Power of Prime & Reality of Tier 1 Playing Time
You can love them or hate them, but there is justification for Colorado being in Tier 3 above Nebraska. And an argument can be made the Buffs should have been higher. When you take away the Top 25 ranking criteria for tiers, the reality is that Colorado belongs to Tier 1.
It does not take a rocket scientist to realize that Deion Sanders has made Colorado a top new brand and that the Buffs are going to bust a lot of joysticks this summer. Colorado will be the team of choice for countless College Football 25 players.
The reality is that as long as Coach Prime patrols the sidelines in Boulder, CU will be one of if not the most popular teams in the EA Sports lineup.
Still, College Football 25 is a fantasy game and an illusion. Players can win the national championship with terrible teams. Like Deion Sanders, it’s not based on reality. It’s a flash in the pan.
Just announced Nebraska vs Colorado will be at 6:30 prime time on NBC
Oh boy!!! pic.twitter.com/RnKbVsXKYw— SkersNews🌽🇺🇸🔴⚪️ (@SkersNews) May 13, 2024
