The two EA football titles both offer something a little different from one another. Here's our take.

 

EA Football this year saw modest gains with both NCAA Football 14 and Madden NFL 25 on current generation consoles. The Infinity Engine 2.0 was implemented into both games, giving them the most advanced physics in a football game ever -- and the line play was reworked for both titles to make room for new run game controls.

 

Each year we do several of these grudge matches to see which games are more worthy of a purchase, especially for those who still haven't bought them. Both Madden and NCAA have been out for a good bit, so now is a good time to give both the 'Grudge Match' treatment.

 

The format is simple, we will go through several categories and match the games up head to head. The winning game will find more 'wins' at the end of the article. Let's find out which football game is this year's best!

 

The Spread Option being implemented properly makes NCAA's run game quite fun.

 

Run Game

Dustin Toms: If Madden NFL 25 did one thing right, it was the new running game. The gripes and moans over the new system are scattered through word of mouth, but it really does make the game more fun. I primarily stick with a running offense, so I use it more than those who get trigger happy. And what makes this even better: the more halfbacks you run with, the more you’ll notice how each player is different. This part of the game really does deserve some kudos. Winner: Madden NFL 25

Chris Sanner: There is nothing like running a spread option attack in college football. The NFL run game is boring by comparison and NCAA did a great job capturing the feel of the spread option. Madden has its perks as far as far as back variety as Dustin mentioned, but I personally had much more fun with NCAA’s run game this year over Madden’s. However it is worth noting that the combo moves in Madden can be a lot of fun, but not as fun as the better implemented spread option in NCAA in my mind. Winner: NCAA Football 14

 

The passing game in each game has its own strengths and weaknesses.

 

Passing Game

Dustin Toms: NCAA Football 14 isn’t the perfect passing game by any means. With many teams (both professional and collegiate) fielding a dual-threat quarterback, throwing on the run has become a huge part of a team’s success. And correct me if I’m wrong, but it just feels a lot smoother in NCAA 14 than it does in Madden 25. Speaking of Madden, I’m still seeing clunky issues in the passing game. NCAA wins this one. Winner: NCAA Football 14

Chris Sanner: I’m going to differ with Dustin again on this one. I like Madden’s approach to passing, which emphasizes a quicker read and get the ball out system than NCAA. It doesn’t hurt the QBs are much better in Madden, but I personally found it more enjoyable to throw the pigskin around in Madden this year. It felt like the reads had to be more timely and the game itself felt much more up-tempo during plays not unlike the pro game. Winner: Madden NFL 25
 

The line play received a huge upgrade in each game, but neither stands above the other.

 

Line Play

Dustin Toms: You’re telling me to pick better line play between NCAA and Madden? That’s a laugh and a half. Line play is the one part of football games that really gets to me. First impressions are always great based off of time and execution for your quarterback. But you soon realize that only minor changes have been made, or that the offensive line has been dumbed down to allow or more realistic pass rush. Either way, I can’t vote for either of these games. Abstain. Winner: Draw

Chris Sanner: It is hard for me to pick a winner between these two because they play very similar. The line play was improved this year, but not so much so that it’s wholly realistic. Blown plays are because linemen simply ‘whiff’ on blocks, not because they get thrown around by defensive players. Both games make egregious errors with regards to their specific sports, NCAA you can’t tell the different in a dominant line vs. a weak sisters of the poor line -- Madden the greatest matchup on the field each week (OTs vs. DEs) is not nearly what it should be. I’m going to agree with Dustin and say there’s no clear winner because both games play very similar on the line. However, I want to congratulate both teams on finally getting things moving in the right direction in a meaningful way. Winner: Draw

 

Special teams are so important in the game, we can't find a single screenshot of them for either game.

 

Special Teams

Dustin Toms: I never realized it until this moment writing, but I actually somewhat enjoy special teams in Madden 25. It’s nothing breathtaking, and I only enjoy the kick offs, but this is the first time in ever that I can actually say I enjoy special teams. Breaking returns is easier than it has been in the past, both thanks and no thanks to whatever those blockers are doing. On NCAA 14’s side of things, I can return a punt to the 10-yard line almost every single time. Where’s the fun in that? Go go Madden! Winner: Madden NFL 25

Chris Sanner: Neither game does special teams enough justice, but both games do an adequate job of simulating this crucial aspect of the game. NCAA’s special teams are more wide open, but that’s how the college game is. Madden’s special teams are more about incremental moves in field position which is more suitable for the pro game. Regardless, I just don’t think either game has a clear advantage here. Winner: Draw

 

Madden's defense has more of an 'it' factor versus NCAA.

 

Defense

Dustin Toms: Defense is boring, we all admit it. But once in a while in can be fun when playing against a good buddy. Few things say “I love you” to your best friend other than a User Pick. NCAA 14 has me falling asleep on defense while Madden’s has be aiming for the next giant hit-stick hit. I guess I’ll give this one to Madden. Winner: Madden NFL 25

Chris Sanner: There’s a lot which can be said for wanting to play defense in a video game version of football -- as it stands I don’t really feel a huge itch to do that with either game. Tell me the last time you wanted to play DE in a career mode in either game -- what about linebacker? Some people do it, but the defensive experience is hampered by a lack of control and still some suction on animations. Plus defensive play calls are never executed like offensive play calls, and both games continue to make that mistake. I’m giving this a draw, again...only because I can’t choose two losers. Winner: Draw

 

NCAA eeks out the most realistic category thanks to additions in team variety and play styles.

 

Most Realistic

Dustin Toms: This is a tough one. NCAA 14 is probably the best college football game since NCAA 06, and I give the play on offense all of the credit. Running the spread has never worked so well on a video game before, and it allows you to put up video game numbers – something that is supposed to happen every Saturday on the field. But, like I mentioned earlier, defense is a different story in NCAA 14. Is it possible to combine NCAA’s offense with Madden’s defense? I think so! Half a point to each! Winner: Draw

Chris Sanner: NCAA is a game tilted heavily towards the offense, Madden is a game tilted slightly less so towards the offense -- the problem with that statement is that it describes how each level of football is actually played. Where I have to make the difference is that the playbooks and variety of play found in NCAA more closely resembles what you would expect in real life, plus the AI doesn’t seem to puke all over itself when games are close late -- usually. NCAA gets a slight nod in realism, a very slight nod. Winner: NCAA Football 14

 

The new recruiting and other dynasty additions in NCAA puts its over Madden's Connected Franchise.

 

Connected Franchise or Dynasty/Road to Glory

Dustin Toms: I’ve spent the past couple weeks dissecting and sifting through every piece of Madden 25 Connected Franchise. Want to know what I found? I found Madden NFL 13’s Connected Franchise Mode with a bonus mode to price some hot dogs and New Era fitted caps! Doesn’t that sound like something worth $60? NCAA 14 has the greatest recruiting system on a video game, which instantly means they win this anyway. Now if only EA would add in an option for red turf… Winner: NCAA Football 14

Chris Sanner: Madden has Connected Franchise complete with a new owners mode, NCAA has the best iteration of its dynasty mode yet. I think both games have great approaches to how they go about their career modes, and NCAA gets the nod from me because it simply feels better this year with all the improvements to dynasty. Winner: NCAA Football 14

 

Ultimate team was surprisingly enjoyable on both games this season.

 

Better Ultimate Team Experience

Dustin Toms: I’ve never been a big Ultimate Team guy. I get the point, and why people have fallen in love with it; I just never got into it. This year was a little bit different, though. I thoroughly enjoyed NCAA Ultimate Team. You see, Madden can’t keep me interested because it takes away the realism of the NFL. I hate superstar teams in football games. But in NCAA I fell in love with the idea of having all of these former stars “attend” a different school. It may be the furthest thing away from realism, but it just feels OK in NCAA. Winner: NCAA Football 14

Chris Sanner: I said EA had a problem with Ultimate Team in NCAA and I couldn’t have been more wrong. The mode just works. However, NCAA’s ultimate team mode is basically a rehash of Madden’s but with a college approach. Madden’s Ultimate Team works better for me, and makes more sense versus NCAA’s approach. While NCAA didn’t do horrible in implementing Ultimate Team, I’d still like for the mode to be tailored even more towards the college game so it doesn’t feel like a cheap knock off of pro football’s Ultimate Team mode. Winner: Madden NFL 25

 

While neither presentation is top-notch, Madden is our choice over NCAA.

 

Best Presentation

Dustin Toms: I really do love all of the ESPN integration in NCAA 14, but the overlays are just so much more visually appealing in Madden 25. Also, Madden’s Twitter feed is still one of my favorite features in the game. I love how it keeps you up to date on the goings in your NFL. From a commentary standpoint, well, it’s pretty awful in both games. But Madden still squeaks past it’s college counterpart here. Winner: Madden NFL 25

Chris Sanner: Madden has actually taken steps backwards in presentation, but NCAA has the worst presentation in a major sports game...period. Madden tries to do some TV style stuff, although EA can’t ever figure out if they want their football games to feel like a movie or a TV Broadcast -- I say they should completely dive in to the latter and get a TV director of college games in to maximize the experience for both sports. Madden wins this category, but only because it’s the least bad of the two. Winner: Madden NFL 25

The Final Score

It’s close, as each game has their positives and minuses -- but Madden wins this grudgematch by a single point.

Madden NFL 25: 7
NCAA Football 14: 6
Draws: 5