2024 will spell significant changes to collegiate football.

Three major differences include the addition of the two-minute warning, the expansion of the College Football Playoff and the mass realignment of the Power 5-turned-4.

But over a month before UCLA football kicks off its season in Honolulu, there is one way for players, coaches and fans to mess around with what collegiate football might look like in the coming year.

On July 19, EA Sports College Football 25 was officially released nationwide – marking the first return of a college sports video game since EA’s NCAA Football 14, released in 2013.

As anticipated, most student-athletes are first and foremost excited to be in the game. Pre-NIL iterations of NCAA football featured positions, numbers and general likenesses, but no name and no compensation – an issue that troubled many.

Former UCLA men’s basketball player Ed O’Bannon filed a lawsuit over EA’s March Madness series that led to NCAA Football’s 11-year absence, and eventually the implementation of the NCAA’s name, image and likeness system.

“I look at it as a great obligation for me to represent the program,” said Michigan running back – and 1-of-3 College Football 25 cover athletes – Donovan Edwards during the 2024 Big Ten Football Media Days. “I would be in college with no money. … I remember playing for pizzas in quarters and dimes. I just want to be a successful person. … Money was not a factor for me.”

For being featured in College Football 25, student-athletes received $600 and a copy of the game. Reviews were generally positive in Indianapolis – many players said they played the game backstage at Lucas Oil Stadium with teammates and soon-to-be Big Ten rivals.

“I’ve played it a few times and playing with UCLA is a cheat code, honestly,” said UCLA rising senior defensive lineman Jay Toia. “(Rising redshirt junior wide receiver) J.Michael Sturdivant has 94 speed, I believe. He beats everybody on the go route – just lob it up with Garbers (rising redshirt senior quarterback Ethan Garbers) and he’s catching it every time.”

Athletes ever the competitor, Michigan State defensive back Dillon Tatum admitted he’s already broken a controller over the video game and even threw an interception to his in-game character, playing against his Spartan teammates earlier in the day.

Many players criticize their character’s overall rating – using it as a benchmark to gauge their real-life success given EA’s promise of periodic roster updates.

“I got an 88 overall, so I’m not mad at it,” Sturdivant – the highest-rated UCLA player – said. “But throughout the season we’re going to try and get it up, for sure.”

Illinois linebacker Seth Coleman and Wisconsin linebacker Jake Chaney both added that they see the game as a way to connect with kids aspiring to play at the collegiate level, helping them develop a love for football and teaching rudimentary strategy.

Garbers said he’s enjoyed the level of detail within the game.

“I’ve been noticing the mannerisms and stuff are kind of like me,” Garbers said. “Just like throwing the ball and then walking around after a touchdown.”

However, not everybody was as excited.

“I’m not a big video game guy,” said 68-year-old Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz – who heads into his 26th season at the Hawkeyes’ helm. “The last time I played was 25 years ago and I got my (butt) kicked.”