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As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that the newest chapter of EA Sports College Football is breaking away from a long-standing series convention and reviving an aspect from three decades past. In the realm of College Football games, much like Madden NFL, we’ve been accustomed to seeing a single player or a small group gracing the cover art. Last year’s College Football 25 surprised us with three athletes on its Standard Edition cover and a crowd on its Deluxe Edition. But this time around, College Football 26’s Deluxe Edition is stirring things up by reinstating a series tradition from the ’90s.

The College Football 25 match may have been the first college football game in a decade, but it wasn’t the first one ever produced by EA Sports. In fact, this series can be traced back to 1993 when it was known as Bill Walsh College Football. The coach’s name on the title at that time represented John Madden’s endorsement of the well-known Madden series. EA Sports altered the series’ name after Walsh retired in 1995, and the next game was College Football USA 96. Interestingly, this game followed a pattern similar to what CFB 26 is now reviving.

College Football 26 Deluxe Edition Honors Coaches & More

College Football Covers Have Only Featured Players For The Last 30 Years

The Standard Edition of College Football 26 showcases wide receivers Ryan Williams from Alabama and Jeremiah Smith from Ohio State. Interestingly, the Deluxe Edition cover includes not just these two, but also other players, trainers, and even mascots. This is quite different compared to EA Sports’ college football game covers that have exclusively showcased athletes since College Football USA 97.

Although the new cover design for College Football ’26 might appear quite different from what players are accustomed to, it actually aligns with the origins of the series. You see, games like Bill Walsh College Football and Bill Walsh College Football 95 had images of Coach Walsh and players on their covers. Although no coaches were present on the cover of College Football USA ’96, it did showcase a mascot and even some marching band members. Consequently, the new cover design for College Football ’26 can be seen more as a reunion with the series’ roots rather than a departure from them.

To put it simply, just because something is traditional or has been around for a while doesn’t automatically make it the best. I must admit, I find myself in a quandary regarding the fresh design of this cover, particularly when juxtaposed with the Standard Edition Cover and those from College Football 25. The primary concern I have is that the arrangement of the picture gives the frame an overly busy feel.

EA Sports College Football 26 Has Cluttered Covers

College Football 26’s Cover Is Messy Compared To Previous Years

Personally, I’m all for featuring coaches, mascots, and students on the cover of our game to truly embody the college football spirit, as we did with College Football USA 96 by including marching band members. After all, what made College Football 25 stand out was its immersion in the college setting, differentiating it from Madden NFL 25. However, I find the current cover image a bit overwhelming, with players, coaches, and mascots filling the entire frame, making it hard to distinguish some figures at the back, and even having their heads cropped off in the online horizontal version.

The Deluxe Edition of College Football 25 showcased a refined design choice. Instead of merely showing a large group of players, it positioned them entering the field, allowing viewers to see spectators in the distance. This setting lent a stronger sense of location, making it feel less like a school photograph. If College Football 27 decides to feature more than just players on its cover, I hope they choose a more captivating backdrop compared to College Football 26. A scene with players mid-game, coaches, fans, and mascots in the background would be more visually appealing.

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2025-05-28 05:07