I played 'EA Sports College Football 25.' Michigan State football is perfect dynasty pick

After 11 years, the wait is over and college football has returned to the video game world.

As has been well documented at this point, the game was a yearly tradition in many people's lives, only to suddenly disappear entirely over legal issues.

Thanks in large part to Name, Image and Likeness rules in college sports, the game has made a valiant return, albeit without "NCAA" in its name — its now called "EA Sports College Football 25."

ABOUT THOSE WOLVERINES:Ranking Michigan football's position groups heading into 2024 season

The game makers at EA pledged to include as many details as possible to make it feel like a real college football Saturday, and for the most part, they have nailed it. From the sights to the sounds, this game makes you feel like it's a Saturday on your favorite campus as you're getting ready to live and die with every play. At best, it seems cliché, and at its worst, it seems nerdy. But it still matters, and people of a certain generation live for this stuff. Having had this game be a part of pretty much my entire life until my senior year of high school, I am very much a part of that generation, and so I happily paid a little bit extra to get the game early.

Here are five observations I had about Michigan and Michigan State football in EA Sports College Football 25.

The sounds of the stadium bring you into the game

A long time ago, I went to an MSU football game with my mom and I remember her saying "Wow, they play the fight song a lot; do they know any other song?"

It was a fair question then, and it comes up in this game a bit. But what makes it cool is the game knows exactly when and how the Spartans use it in real life, a marked improvement over games in the past.

Likewise, EA paid attention to what the Wolverines do.

At the start of a game at the Big House, the Wolverines players enter by slapping the famous "GO BLUE" sign as "The Victors" plays and the crowd sings along. When the Wolverines are on defense, the speakers will blast popular college football anthem "Mo Bamba" as the screen shakes. Chants of "Let's go, Blue!" are constant and you can't miss the drum lines, which give an unmistakable college football feel.

Meanwhile, when you're playing at Spartan Stadium, when MSU's defense comes on the field for the first time, an instrumental version of "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses hits the speakers, just like in real life. If you force a third down, you'll hear MSU's familiar "Thirrrrrrrrrd down" tune used on the biggest plays in East Lansing.

It's the little things like that count. And EA certainly paid attention to the little things.

Michigan is still loaded

Jim Harbaugh's Michigan team had an NFL-combine record 18 players invited to show off their skills in Indianapolis before the NFL draft. The Wolverines fell short of setting the record for players drafted, but still had 13 players, a program record.

If you didn't know any better and took a look at the Wolverines' roster in the game, you'd have no idea what a talent drain the team just had.

Clicking through the rosters, Michigan clearly has one of the most talented teams in the game, particularly at the top. In addition to cornerback Will Johnson, who at 96 overall is tied for the highest rated player in the game, the Wolverines have four more players with a 90 overall rating or higher: Mason Graham (95), Colton Loveland (92), Kenneth Grant (91) and Donovan Edwards (91).

For context, the highest rated players on Michigan State are tight end Jack Velling and center Tanner Miller, who are both 87s overall. It was reported before the game was released that Michigan had five of the top 55 players in the game, but seeing it "on paper" makes it even more jarring. Hopefully whatever team you pick in dynasty mode doesn't have to play the Wolverines.

The Spartans are a perfect team for a rebuild

In contrast to the Wolverines, Michigan State's roster is not loaded with elite talent.

The Spartans finished 4-8 last year in a disastrous season on and off the field, while the Wolverines had their best season ever, going 15-0 and winning the national title.

But for that exact reason, the Spartans are primed to be picked as a team to start a dynasty with.

NEW LEAGUE:What Big Ten football players are going to 2024 Big Ten Media Days? Here's a full list of who will be speaking

MSU has a history of success and plays in the Big Ten, both factors that help in recruiting in this year's game. In addition, Michigan State has good enough players at important positions in the game, such as quarterback (Aidan Chiles, an 81 overall) and running back (Nathan Carter, an 85 overall), that will help you compete right away, but not dominate like you would if you took over Michigan, Georgia, Ohio State or another powerhouse.

If you like a challenge but don't want to grind it out in a Group of Six conference, the Spartans are a solid choice.

MSU's helmet selection is second to none

If you are a helmet aficionado, get ready to nerd out over Michigan State's options.

While MSU has just three options for jerseys and pants (green, white and black), you can choose between 14 — FOURTEEN — different helmet options, ranging from the team's default green Spartans logo helmet to multiple "Gruff Sparty" options.

Neither the lime alternates or the gold Nike Pro Combat uniforms — both controversial at the time — are in the game, so it's nice for the Spartans to have so many ways to mix it up with the headgear. It's a video game after all, might as well have a little fun with it.

(For those wondering, the Wolverines have just one helmet option. I think you can probably guess what that is.)

Good luck at the Big House

It's tough to win on the road at Michigan — in real life and in the game. The Wolverines haven't lost at Michigan Stadium since the COVID-shortened 2020 season, and when you take a team to the Big House in "EA Sports College Football 25," you can feel that.

The EA creators put a lot of effort into making it feel like when you're playing on the road that you're, well, on the road. When you're on offense, the Michigan faithful goes berserk. If the Wolverines have a lot of momentum, you won't be able to audible on certain plays. When the Big House crowd is firing on all cylinders, routes will sometimes get mixed up, and you won't be able to see what button a receiver is.

According to the "Stadium Pulse" meter in the upper right corner, Michigan Stadium is the 16th toughest place to play in the country. As the screen shakes and none of your plays work, it feels much tougher.