Sports are all about competition. It can be exhilarating to square off against others and test your skills, as well as find ways to improve your game. Naturally, this competitive fire extends to those who play sports video games, with online modes having long been the arena to prove dominance over others and earn bragging rights.

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EA Sports College Football 25 takes the traditional online matchmaking suite and gives it its own unique spin. Themed after the new College Football Playoff system, players will advance up the ranks with each online win in the hopes of competing for a National Championship trophy.

Road To The CFP Format, Explained

When you first open Road to the CFP (College Football Playoff), you'll be thrust into a season. The season format exists to track your wins and losses over the next ten online games you play. Wins will increase your rank, whereas losses may cause you to fall backward.

After playing ten games, the season will reset, allowing you to begin your quest for the playoffs once again.

Road To The CFP Rankings, Explained

You start each season ranked 134, since that is how many FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) schools are in the game. While every victory will drive you closer to the coveted number one spot, how far you move is dictated by the strength of your opponent.

School Tiers

Within Road to the CFP, schools are divided into three tiers: Tier 1 teams are the strongest, whereas Tier 3 are the weakest. If you defeat a Tier 1 team while playing with another Tier 1 team, your rank will increase incrementally. However, if you do the same with a Tier 3 team, you'll reap massive benefits and have your rank shoot up.

Losing works much the same way. Being defeated by Alabama while playing as Navy won't plummet your ranking, but the opposite will cost you dearly. This creates an effective risk-reward system where it's easier to win with Tier 1 teams, but Tier 2 and 3 squads will reward you more for skillful play.

Player Matchmaking Promotions

At the beginning of your Road to the CFP journey, you'll be in the Recruit division. Every ten-game season, even if you don't make the playoffs, you have the opportunity to be promoted to the next matchmaking tier. This is done by finishing the season with a certain rank. For example, finishing your Recruit season with a rank of 92 or better will have you promoted to the Freshman division (and earn you the Moving on Up trophy).

Playoffs

If you win the majority of games in your season, you can earn yourself a spot in the titular College Football Playoff. Here, you'll be matched up against other players with similar records in your matchmaking division. The bracket is single elimination, so if you lose, your season is over! Should you win all your games and claim a National Championship, your accomplishment will be shown on the leaderboards.

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