The Ohio State football program has made a New Year’s Six bowl game every season since 2013, remaining one of the sports’ elite-caliber institutions alongside Alabama and Georgia. With the return of EA Sports’ College Football video game closing in after a decade-long hiatus, the fans of the sport, including the devotees from Ohio State, can finally take control of their favorite team and cultivate championship-caliber teams for years to come. On Friday, EA dropped their first trailer of the game, featuring clips of Notre Dame, Alabama, Michigan, and Georgia, among others. However, absent from the game’s first trailer was anything resembling a highlight for the Ohio State football program, a team that won double-digit games in 2023.
It’s safe to say the Buckeyes fans felt snubbed during EA’s monumental trailer release for their college football game on Friday. Ohio State made two minor appearances in the nearly two-minute-long video, with one defender being stiff-armed by Michigan Wolverines rusher Donovan Edwards. At the same time, in another clip, the Illinois Fighting Illini are seen taking down the Buckeyes, 52-42. Naturally, Ohio State football fans felt slighted by EA, especially with teams like Army, Wake Forest, Boise State, Colorado, and Wisconsin earning features.
The Reaction of Ohio State Football Fans to the EA Sports College Football 25 Trailer was one of Disappointment and Frustration
EA Sports’ College Football 25 trailer rubbed Ohio State football fans the wrong way on Friday, especially with how the gaming conglomerate portrayed the Buckeyes in their limited screen time. The trailer featured an Ohio State defender being stiff-armed to the ground by Donavan Edwards, the leading rusher of their arch-rival Michigan. However, the worst came when a clip showed the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrating a win over Ohio State in a shoot-out. Illinois last beat Ohio State in November of 2007.
Ohio State football fans quickly took to Twitter (also known as X) to share their frustration with EA’s creative team. The Buckeyes, despite finishing in the top 15 of the AP Poll every season since 2013, did not receive a glowing tribute in Friday’s trailer drop.
A certain clip in here felt unnecessary https://t.co/gyCzxBZwpD
— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) May 17, 2024
DISRESPECT HAS BEEN HEARD pic.twitter.com/T8CNcrnMhy
— Barstool Ohio State (@BarstoolOSU) May 17, 2024
They even have Illinois in the trailer holding up the Illibuck Trophy 😭
This trophy is awarded to the winner of Ohio State vs Illinois.
A game Illinois hasn’t won since 2007. https://t.co/qwXCJktCTr pic.twitter.com/Betgz9sjdD
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) May 17, 2024
EA’s anti-Ohio State agenda in this game is both blatant and hilarious 😂
• No OSU cover athlete ever.
• Donovan Edwards makes the defense look silly.
• Illinois hoists the rivalry trophy after scoring 52 points in a win.EA gave Kyle McCord a positive Syracuse highlight… pic.twitter.com/HCrbf9E39O
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) May 17, 2024
Ohio State Football: Eyeing Return to CFP in 2024
The Buckeyes posted an 11-win regular season record in 2023 but fell short of qualifying for the College Football Playoff after a narrow 30-24 loss to the Michigan Wolverines in the finale. Ohio State football has since parted ways with quarterback Kyle McCord and acquired the service of signal-caller Will Howard. A Kansas State Wildcats transfer, Howard posted 33 total touchdowns last season.
Ohio State will also look to continue its dominance on defense. Last season, the defense allowed just 11.2 points per game, the second-best mark in the country. They stymied opposing passers, allowing just 145.9 passing yards per game on less than a 53% completion percentage.
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