First Down Kentucky: EA Sports Whiffs on College Football Power Rankings
Talking Season has a new force driving conversation. The last time we were playing with the Kentucky Wildcats in College Football 14, the rankings system was largely irrelevant. Without specific players, you often saw wild video game inaccuracies, ones that we accepted and moved on without complaint.
Over the last decade, Madden rankings have become a point of contention each summer, even among active players. After seeing the reaction generated annually, EA Sports decided to do something similar for the resurrection of its College Football series.
The results are Not Great, Bob.
College Football 25 Offensive Rankings
If you’re looking for the last person on Earth to pay Tennessee a compliment, I’m in contention. However, leaving the Vols off this list is silly. Josh Heupel farts out Top 25 offenses every day with his morning cup of coffee. Completely omitting Tennesse is laughable.
One might also take issue with Colorado being in the Top 10 well ahead of Ole Miss. The Buffs ranked 99th in yards per play in 2023, compared to Lane Kiffin’s squad who was No. 21. If it’s based on individual talent, I might be more understanding. Shedeur Sanders will likely be one of the most entertaining players in this year’s video game.
College Football 25 Defensive Rankings
Kentucky has typically been a Top 25 defense under Brad White, but after falling short of expectations a year ago, it’s hard to make a big stink about the omission. That isn’t a disgrace to humanity. Including North Carolina is.
The Tar Heels are typically one of the worst defenses in the country. They’ve had only one Top 50 defense over the last ten years. Florida is in a similar boat. They haven’t had a Top 25 defense since the pandemic. Iowa punts to win because their defense is so dominant, yet they aren’t good enough to be in the Top 10? Come on. They’re ranked behind Oklahoma and only three spots ahead of USC, who annually trots out one of the worst units in all of college football. Make it make sense.
Randall Cobb’s Family Survives House Fire
Former Kentucky Wildcat Randall Cobb underwent a traumatic experience this week when his Nashville home caught on fire. His wife shared on social media that an electrical fire broke out on their Tesla charger and rapidly spread throughout their home.
“We got out of the house with nothing but the clothes on our back and no shoes on our feet,” his wife, Aiyda, said on Instagram.
Fortunately, Cobb, his wife and three children made it out safely. He also was able to briefly return inside the home to rescue the family dog before firefighters showed up to put out the blaze.
“I can’t get the image of the brave firefighter getting into position out of my head; he didn’t even have water to shoot yet. I truly thought the cars were going to explode and that we would lose him to this tragedy. He is a true hero,” Cobb wrote. “Unfortunately we don’t know how much, if anything, will be salvageable, but this has been a reminder that nothing is more important than the health of our family.
“We are grateful for our incredible community in Nashville, and the support from our close friends that have given us a temporary roof over our heads and shoulders to lean on.”
Elite NIL Content from the Kentucky Twins
On a lighter note, a few Kentucky Wildcats are using the summer to step up their NIL game. Jerod Smith and Jacob Smith, former four-star prospects from Corbin, starred in a commercial for Stockton Mortgage. If their pass rushing is as good as their acting, the freshmen have a bright future ahead in Lexington.
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