It's in the Game! Oklahoma State: Better Than Predicted; Texas Tech: CFP Champion
STILLWATER – Back in the old days of EA Sports College Football games, every summer I would have my computer play Oklahoma State in a simulated season in the game. Honestly, I couldn’t play it myself, but I was always curious as to how the Pokes would come out? The graphics weren’t as good as they are now, one exception is Mike Gundy’s hair. It was better with the stock coach than the one now that is customized. However, I would watch almost as if I were watching a live game on television.
Our publisher Zach Lancaster is much more of a gamer than this old man, so he has played the game and he told me he always uses the Cowboys. He is unbeaten so far, but not playing a simulated season. Stay tuned because Zach told me he is going to load up and simulate the Cowboys 2025 campaign and he will report back.
At this stage, he told me that the Oklahoma State defense is improved. Personally, I’m not sure the game has them improved enough. We’ll find out. He told me that Zane Flores has done well as the starting quarterback. That also is still up for debate or decision inside the walls of the West End Zone. Zach told me that Rodney Fields Jr. has played well, but it takes some adjusting because EA Sports has transfer Freddie Brock IV as the top running back. I think there are at least three ahead on the depth chart, but Brock has done well in practice.
I watched a simulated game on YouTube between Oklahoma State and Texas Tech in Lubbock, a game that will be played in real life on Oct. 25. The game had Texas Tech, ranked No. 25 winning 26-14. It was close most of the game and Oklahoma State got their first touchdown on a 60-yard hook up with Flores hitting tight end Josh Ford in stride down the middle of the field. Zach Lancaster confirmed that while Ford’s speed rating is not elite, that his performance is good, sure hands, makes catches, and is an above average tight end.
As for Texas Tech, I don’t know of the Red Raiders are as good as ESPN made them out to be. Matt Olson wrote a story based on a series of simulations and Tech was the Big 12 Champion and the No. 4 seed in the CFP. ACC Champion Clemson was the top seed, Penn State was the Big Ten Champion and the No. 2 seed, while they had Oklahoma winning the SEC and being the No. 3 seed.
Following a bye, Texas Tech handled No. 5 seed Indiana 31-24, then eliminated Miami, Fla. the No. 8 seed by a 20-17 score in the semifinal. Miami, Fla. had beat Clemson in the quarterfinal. Texas Tech played No. 6 seed Nebraska in the CFP Championship. Nebraska had beat Penn State 45-27 in their semifinal. Tech handled the Huskers 35-13.
If this ends up being anywhere close to reality then the college football world will be in an uproar. You think SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey would be happy with OU, Auburn, and Tennessee as the three SEC teams in the CFP, while the Big 12 got in Tech and Iowa State. The Big Ten had Nebraska, Penn State, Indiana, and Washington. Uproar!
