EA Sports College Football 26 is just over a month from its release, and the follow-up to the franchise's return after years away is almost as anticipated as the first game. That anticipation increased when the game's covers were officially unveiled on Tuesday afternoon. There was the cover that everyone will see in retailers, and then there was the Deluxe Edition cover that has far more than the two players the regular game features.
The regular edition of the game features Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams and Ohio State wideout Jeremiah Smith. The deluxe edition has a ton of players, coaches, and even some guys who no longer play. Among them, the Huskers were represented. In an interesting way.
EA Sports just roasted Nebraska in the weirdest possible way
There isn't a Nebraska football player on the cover, and neither is Matt Rhule, even though it's believed he and other coaches will be part of EA Sports College Football 26. Instead, the Cornhuskers are represented by an old man dressed in NU fan gear and holding a license plate that says "Beat CU."
As any Nebraska fan can tell you, the CU in the picture is the Colorado Buffaloes, an old Big 8 and Big 12 rival from the Huskers' glory days. Why this particular call back to the past when NU had other more well-known rivalries, such as Oklahoma? It's likely because the Buffs and Huskers renewed that rivalry recently, with each team winning one and losing one under Rhule.
It's an interesting way to represent one of the sport's Blue Bloods, but it almost seems a bit disrespectful. On the other hand, at least the Nebraska football team is getting some representation at all. There are far more schools that can't claim that than can. Here's hoping it's a first step toward getting someone like Dylan Raiola on the cover next year.