Three & Out: Top Teams to Switch Conferences, X-Factor Transfers, and College Football 25

By: JC Nevils

Summer camp is quickly approaching, which means the season is right around the corner. With that comes preview lists galore along with other breaking news. Here I touch on some teams who should fare well in their new conferences, x-factor transfers, and the long awaited return of the video game College Football 25.

Top Teams to Switch Conferences

1. Oregon

After a successful stint in the PAC-12, which was originally the PAC-10, the Oregon Ducks finally made the move to the Big Ten. They join Washington, USC, and UCLA to round out the exodus. The best team out the bunch, though, are the Ducks. With a head coaching change and a plethora of players transferring, Washington won’t be the same. USC is scratching their heads at the moment, and UCLA has been inferior for a while now. With the players they have coming back, along with QB Dillon Gabriel coming over from Oklahoma, Oregon should fit right in.

2. Oklahoma

As one of the two teams to leave the Big-12, Oklahoma has a historically great program that should have few problems adjusting to the SEC. Yes, there will be some things to get used to, of course, but I see them fitting in well. They have the winning program with the resources, and they are coming off a 10-win season. With Brent Venables leading the way with his toughness, they should be just fine.

3. Texas

The Longhorns are coming off one of their best seasons in recent memory, earning the Big-12 championship along with a College Football Playoff berth for the very first time. Steve Sarkisian probably had his best coaching season yet leading Texas to a 12-2 record, which also earned him his first double-digit winning season as a head coach. With the money and resources, the tradition, and top players everywhere you look, Texas will be a player.

X-Factor Transfers

1. QB Cam Ward, Miami

After transferring from Incarnate Word to Washington State, all Cam Ward did was torch defenders week in and week out. In his final season, he had a total of 25 touchdowns to go along with 3,732 yards. This offseason, he decided to spend his last season with the Hurricanes. With the way Mario Cristobal has recruited, Cam should step right in and be the missing piece Miami needs.

2. S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Simply put, Caleb Downs is a ballplayer. He was not only the best freshman in the country and the SEC last season, but he may also be on the verge of being the best safety in the entire nation ,if isn't already. He is just that good. Ohio State’s backend has been subpar for the past two to three years, and Caleb should have no problem nullifying that issue. Heck, they even have him getting reps at running back.

3. DL Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

Coming out of high school, Walter Nolen was maybe the top player in the nation, depending on who you asked or which recruiting site you looked at. The dominant force out of Memphis started off at Texas A&M under then-head Coach Jimbo Fisher , where he made his presence known early and often. He is a prototypical defensive lineman with all of the tools to take over a game whenever he wants. Now at Ole Miss he should fill a need and be the main guy on the way to becoming a top pick in the draft.

College Football 25

Well, ladies and gentlemen, we finally have come to the day when NCAA College Football comes back to life. College Football 25 officially dropped and became available Monday afternoon. EA Sports had put the game on the shelf for over a decade because of licensing rights between the players along with other things. With that decision, the gaming community and everyday people who played occasionally were heartbroken.

For years, kids and adults with a passion for football played this game not only for fun but to fulfill a dream, as crazy as that sounds. Only in this game can you feel like the head coach or player you’ve always wanted to be. Going through the recruiting process or just having the “drip” on your player, as they call it these days made you feel special. Then you have the intense battles with family and friends, as well as the online competitions. Many memories were made.

After what felt like the lonestest wait ever, we finally have it back. The trash-talking, long nights perfecting your team and playbook—all have returned. The trash-talking, long nights perfecting your team and playbook—all have returned. Also a major shoutout to NCAA Football 14 for holding down the fort for years with updates to the game. It can now peacefully rest.