Things were going badly in Boulder . . . and quickly.
Attending classes became an afterthought — at least way down on the list below attending a concert with teammates on a road trip to Denver and sliding into the DMs of popular sorority girls.
Sure, there were moments in practice that caught the eye of the Colorado coaching staff, but once little video game Joe Cowley was out of the athletic facility and back on campus, well, let’s just say that SMU football from the 1980s had more self-control and better decision-making.
With a sinking GPA and only one NIL deal at a local barbershop, it became obvious that the once-promising four-star quarterback out of the Minneapolis suburbs needed a change of scenery.
Goodbye, Boulder, Colorado; hello, transfer portal and Lawrence, Kansas.
It was a refreshing change that started off on the right foot. It ended on the left foot, unfortunately.
That’s right, frustration over not beating out a senior quarterback despite more talent, and, just like that, another visit to the portal. It was time to go home and be a Gopher.
P.J. Fleck, who recruited me out of high school and was disappointed when I held up the Gopher hat and tossed it aside on signing day, was out, replaced by Matt Rhule. Surely, coach Rhule and the discipline of being close to home would be enough to get me back on a journey to someday playing on Sundays.
Or would it?
EA Sports famously made “It’s in the game” a household phrase, and guess what? As far as the latest release of the popular college football franchise, it really is for College Football ’26.
That starts with the realistic updates made to the game mode “Road to Glory,” which you really need to make time for. It pulls you in.
Create a player by choosing a journey —elite, blue chip, contributor or underdog for all you “Rudy” fans — then pick a position, a high school and colleges that are of interest.
The addition of the high school senior season is huge in forming your character from the way you deal with the local high school writer to the way you speak to your coach and recruiters.
And what’s really nice about “Road to Glory” is going from “Mr. Friday Night” in your local town as a high school football legend to big man on campus at the university of your choice — and now being able to transfer the player to Madden ’26 when that hits stores.
It’s not the only mode upgraded from last year, either.
“Dynasty” — arguably the most popular mode on the game — has upgraded the playbooks and the stadium experience and went old school by putting the Trophy Case back in, while making recruiting much tougher. And for those who had dreams of taking your non-Power Five football school to national prominence, enjoy the visit from Satan at the end of every season in the form of the transfer portal, where your best players are fighting to get out like a bomb scare was called in.
Luckily, there’s a way to control the max number of players that can transfer. Hint: Use it.
But the biggest change from the ’25 reboot of the game is the gameplay itself. Last year felt more like a football game played in an arcade. It’s almost like the game hit puberty and started shaving. From the way the players move to the animations, everything just feels smoother. It definitely has a Madden feel to it.
The physics of the hits are more realistic, and the passing game has a better flow. Even my 3-4 blitz glitch was nerfed.
Is ’26 a perfect game? No, of course not. There are the usual glitches that every new release goes through. But it’s the most realistic college football experience out there.
Just ask little video game Joe Cowley. He’s usually at the Gophers’ practice facility these days. Or is he?
EA Sports College Football ’26 is a winner.