Fans can finally look forward to college gridiron making a video game return, and there is already plenty to look forward to in EA Sports College Football, which many expected could be NCAA 22.
We've got all the latest news and info about EA Sports College Football (NCAA 22) from gameplay expectations to a potential release date and more.
Latest - Release still reportedly years away
While the excitement is already building towards the eventual release of EA Sports College Football, it now looks like NCAA 22 might be more like NCAA 23 or NCAA 24.
The reporting by Matt Brown of of Extra Points now indicates EA Sports College Football won't be returning until at least July of 2023.
It's later than many had wanted, but understandable considering how many years the title has been gone and the amount of work that needs to be done to make a return a reality.
READ MORE: EA Sports College Football return still years away
Notre Dame refusing to be in EA Sports College Football
One of the biggest looming questions about EA Sports College Football (NCAA 22) has to do with which schools will be on board for the new title.
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+ 5Things have already hit their first significant roadblock, as Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick released a definitive statement indicating that the school and their branding will not be allowed in EA Sports College Football (NCAA 22).
However, it may be possible for things to change if the NCAA changes their NIL (name, image, likeness) rules and allows players to have the option to be compensated if included in the product.
READ MORE: Will Notre Dame be in EA Sports College Football?
EA Sports College Football - NCAA 22
EA have officially revealed that the next big college football video game is currently in development!
The game, which will be the start of a new series called EA Sports College Football (rather than NCAA 22 as fans expected), has a ton of promise!
So what do we know so far?
Release Date
EA Sports College Football (NCAA 22) has no official release date as of yet. While EA Sports Vice President Daryl Holt had initially stated it wouldn't arrive until 2022, that may have ended up being an optimistic prediction.
click to enlarge + 5New reporting by Matt Brown of Extra Points is now pointing to a release date in July of 2023, and that's assuming there aren't any further delays through the next two years.
While this is a big blow to fans who are excited to get back to college football, it's a big first step after a 7 year hiatus from the NCAA college football game series.
READ MORE: NCAA Football 22: Release Date, Delays & more
Gameplay
We certainly have no gameplay footage of EA Sports College Football (NCAA 22) just yet, and expect that's a long ways away.
click to enlarge + 5The good news, however, is we do know the kind of game EA are currently working on.
For starters, EA Sports College Football (NCAA 22) will not have the likeness of players or personnel unless image rights are awarded to players with the overturning of NCAA rules before the game releases.
Even if the NCAA image rights discussion makes progress, it may not be in time to impact a 2023 release.
The game will, however, have FBC schools, mascots, playbooks, traditions and more.
READ MORE: Madden 22 hype builds with new Franchise Mode leak
Trailer
The next big thing we'll get about EA Sports College Football will likely be an announcement trailer.
click to enlarge + 5This would follow in line with how EA develops its sports titles FIFA, Madden, and NHL.
This trailer will likely give us our first look at gameplay footage for EA Sports College Football (NCAA 22).
READ MORE: Madden 21 Franchise Mode Updates still aren't enough
Game Modes
The NCAA game series is most known for its amazing game modes, and we have very high hopes the classics will return in EA Sports College Football (NCAA 22).
click to enlarge + 5This includes Road to Glory, a story mode focused on created players that take you through the journey from high school to NCAA football, and Dynasty mode which lets you take over college football programs and handle everything from recruiting up.
These game modes felt much more polished and entertaining than current game modes for Madden 21 like the flawed Franchise Mode and at times incoherent Face of the Franchise mode.
But while EA has some misses with the Madden series today, other more positive innovations may make their way into the EA Sports College Football (NCAA 22) game like player movement systems and abilities.