COLUMBUS — Ohio State returned almost its entire defense from last year when the Buckeyes ranked second nationally with 11.2 points allowed per game. It’s the unit’s third season in coordinator Jim Knowles’ system.
In other words, Ohio State could be elite defensively in 2024.
EA Sports thinks so.
Ahead of its much-anticipated, July 19 release of EA College Football 25, the video game company continued its “Rankings Week” by releasing its defensive power rankings Thursday.
Ohio State came out on top. Currently, the Buckeyes’ defense is the only unit — offense or defense — to receive an overall rating higher than 94.
Of course, these rankings are subject to change in future game updates, but the initial release is notable.
Here are EA’s top-25, highest-rated defenses in the game…
NOTE: “OVR” stands for overall rating.
- Ohio State – 96 OVR
- Georgia – 94 OVR
- Oregon – 90 OVR
- Alabama – 90 OVR
- Clemson – 90 OVR
- Notre Dame – 90 OVR
- Michigan – 90 OVR
- Texas – 88 OVR
- Penn State – 88 OVR
- Utah – 88 OVR
- Florida State – 88 OVR
- Oklahoma – 88 OVR
- Iowa – 88 OVR
- Virginia Tech – 86 OVR
- Wisconsin – 86 OVR
- USC – 86 OVR
- Auburn – 86 OVR
- LSU – 84 OVR
- Texas A&M – 84 OVR
- Colorado – 84 OVR
- Oklahoma State – 84 OVR
- Louisville – 84 OVR
- North Carolina – 84 OVR
- Kansas State – 84 OVR
- Florida – 84 OVR
ICYMI: Ohio State makes top five in EA College Football 25 offensive power rankings
EA College Football 25 ranks Ohio Stadium as fourth-toughest place to play
EA made headlines, and stirred up debates across the country, Tuesday when it dropped its rankings of the toughest places to play.
Here’s how EA described the impact of “Homefield Advantage” in the game:
“Audio and in-game modifiers such as blurred routes, incorrect play art, confidence and composure affects, and screen shaking are some of the immersive impacts away teams and players will be forced to contend with.
“But not all Homefield Advantages are created equal. The Development Team worked to compile a list of the Top 25 Toughest Places to Play, factoring in historical stats such as home winning %, home game attendance, active home winning streaks, team prestige, and more.”EA Sports
And here’s EA’s top-10 toughest places to play:
- Kyle Field (Texas A&M)
- Bryant-Denny Stadium (Alabama)
- Tiger Stadium (LSU)
- Ohio Stadium (Ohio State)
- Sanford Stadium (Georgia)
- Beaver Stadium (Penn State)
- Camp Randall Stadium (Wisconsin)
- Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (Oklahoma)
- Doak S. Campbell Stadium (Florida State)
- Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Florida)
It’s important to note, as EA points out, these rankings are subject to change in future game updates.
Five of Ohio State’s 2024 opponents ranked in EA’s top-25 toughest places to play: Penn State (No. 6), Oregon (No. 11), Michigan (No. 16), Iowa (No. 20), Michigan State (No. 22). That said, the Buckeyes are playing only three of them — Penn State, Oregon and Michigan State — on the road this season.
Last year, Ohio State played at Wisconsin (No. 7), Michigan (No. 16) and Notre Dame (No. 21).
By the way, “Script Ohio” is officially in the game. So are O-H-I-O chants and a whole lot more.
Counting Down
Buckeyes vs. Akron: 65 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 156 days
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