Imagine a world in which Ohio State football beats Miami for a national championship and Louisville coach Jeff Brohm has hair.
No, it’s not 2003; it’s in the game.
The EA Sports College Football 25 video game was officially released July 19 to the joy of those who didn’t participate in the early release three days prior. It’s the first of its kind in nearly a decade. The game was released three years after its return was announced.
The dynasty mode allows users to build their teams and coaches. For Brohm's style of play, he is a tactician, utilizing a pro-style offense and 4-2-5 base defense (once that option was discovered and changed from a 4-3 defense). Most importantly, his job security was listed as safe — with the goal being seven wins; he received a C- grade for prestige, though.
From injuries to benching players, The Courier Journal’s Brooks Holton and Alexis Cubit simulated Louisville’s 2024 season with Brohm as a Level 1 coach. Here’s how it went:
There was one glitch in the system: The box score showed Air Force as the Cardinals’ opponent but Austin Peay in the final score. It’s very on par for first-game jitters.
All of Jacksonville State’s scoring came in the second quarter; Louisville’s defense posted a second-half shutout.
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The Yellow Jackets avenged last year’s loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium by defeating U of L on its home field. Despite the loss, Chris Bell was ACC Offensive Player of the Week with 126 yards and three touchdowns on seven receptions.
After making some changes to starters, benching Maurice Turner for Donald Chaney , the Cardinals started fast and dominated on the road. Caullin Lacy highlighted the offense with 55- and 32-yard touchdown catches.
A win over the Fighting Irish propelled the Cardinals up to the No. 10 spot in the rankings heading into Week 5. It was a close call, but the Cardinals downed the Mustangs to stay in the top half of the ACC standings.
The Cavaliers never trailed and took down their 10 th -ranked opponent. The midseason loss killed the Cardinals’ chances of making the College Football Playoff and likely making it back to the ACC title contest.
A loss to Virginia dropped Louisville 11 spots to No. 21, creating a top-25 clash with 13 th -ranked Miami. The Cardinals continued to fall after losing to the Hurricanes at home.
U of L’s defense was the hero here. The unit forced two turnovers and held Boston College to three second-half points and 29 passing yards total in the narrow victory.
Despite the loss in Death Valley, linebacker TJ Quinn was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Week after totaling nine tackles.
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This was by far the most mind-boggling part of the game. U of L’s first simulated ACC game on the West Coast ended in a two-point loss to the Cardinal.
The Cardinals rebounded from the Stanford loss by picking up a close win over Pitt at home. Tyler Shough had 264 passing yards, and U of L went 2 for 2 on fourth-down conversions.
Cardinals fans would love this. U of L dashed through the snow and thrashed the Wildcats on their home field. The Governor’s Cup returned to Louisville for the first time since 2017.
For as exciting as winning the Governor’s Cup was, Louisville couldn’t end the season on a high note after a bowl loss.
U of L ended the year among the bottom three teams in the ACC after going 3-5 in conference play. Chaney got hurt midway through the season, which affected Louisville’s run game, but returned to play in the bowl game. Shough finished as the leading passer (3,397 yards, 30 TDs, 8 INTs) and rusher (375 yards, TD). Bell was the top receiver, totaling 716 yards and 12 touchdowns on 51 receptions. Defensively, Quinn retained his title as the team’s leading tackler. Defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte only finished with 4 ½ sacks.
Beating Notre Dame and Kentucky on the road highlighted the head-scratching season simulation. Louisville’s real season starts at home against Austin Peay on Aug. 31.
Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: How Louisville football fared for 2024 season simulation on EA Sports College Football 25
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