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Tennessee's offense doesn't make top 25 in College Football 25's offensive power rankings

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•06/27/24•

GrantRamey

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On Wednesday new video dropped from the upcoming College Football 25 video game from EA Sports, showing Smokey running through the ’T’ at Neyland Stadium and the Smokey mascot on the sideline in front of a Checker Neyland crowd.

On Thursday, when the top-25 overall offensive ratings were released for the game, Josh Heupel’s Tennessee offense was missing. 

The offensive power rankings were topped by Georgia, with a 94 overall rating, and including the likes of Colorado, Clemson, Memphis, UCF, Virginia Tech and USC, but the Vols didn’t make the cut. 

Tennessee’s overall offensive rating will be an 82 or lower. Florida State, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech and USC were the last four teams listed on the offensive power rankings, all with a rating of 83.

Where Tennessee’s offense ranked last season

The Vols finished 19th last season in total offense, averaging 448.1 yards per game. They were 10th in rushing offense, at 243.2 yards per game, 51st in passing offense, at 243.2 yards per game and 35th in scoring offense, averaging 31.8 points per game.

Tennessee’s offense took a step back last season after being dominant in 2022. Two years ago the Vols led the country in scoring offense (46.1 points per game), total offense (525.5 yards per game) and were fifth in rushing (326.1 yards per game) and 26th in rushing (199.4 yards per game).

Five-star redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava takes over at quarterback this season, after making his first career start in the 35-0 win over Iowa in the Citrus Bowl. He completed 12 of 19 passes for 151 yards and one passing touchdown against the Hawkeyes and ran 15 times for 27 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

Iamaleava was the No. 1 overall player in the On3 rankings. He was ranked No. 6 overall in the On3 Industry Ranking, coming in as the No. 3 quarterback in the class and the No. 1 player in the state of California.

He appeared in five games last season, competing 28 of 45 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns. He ran 20 times for 71 yards and had the three rushing touchdowns in the bowl win. 

Nico Iamaleava announced in May that he will be part of College Football 25

Iamaleava announced on social media in May that he would be part of the new College Football 25 game.

“It’s not (College Football 25) without (8),” the former five-star prospect wrote in a caption on Instagram while sharing the game trailer, “I’m in the game.”

College Football 25 will be released on July 19, making its return for the first time since being discontinued after NCAA Football 14 was released. The game was not produced in recent years due licensing contract issues and, at the time, an ongoing name, image and likeness lawsuit.

The new game will include four game modes: Dynasty, Rod to Glory, Ultimate Team and Road to the College Football Playoff. Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will be the broadcast team for “marquee matchups,” according to the EA Sports website, while Jesse Palmer, David Pollack and Rece Davis call other games.

ESPN also reported in May that more than 13,000 college football players have opted into the game, allowing their likeness to be used.

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