GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links. EA Sports College Football 25 has arrived, and fans are already knee-deep in nostalgia as they get their hands on simulation NCAA football for the first time in over a decade. While there's plenty of content to offer, Dynasty mode is the first stop for many as they look to rise the ranks and build a powerhouse school to rival coaches like Nick Saban and Bobby Bowden.

While it is understandable to want to do this with pre-established teams, sometimes the most interesting path is also the most challenging. From complete underdogs to teams that should be returned to their former glory, these are our best schools to rebuild in EA Sports College Football 25. Be sure to also check out our recommendations for which coach backstory to pick and how to do all of the game's celebrations .

Appalachian State is the essence of an underdog. Before they even moved from the FCS (Division I-AA) to the FBS (Division I-A) in 2014, they were already used to taking down juggernauts, like powerhouse Michigan, whom they beat at Ann Arbor in 2007. The Mountaineers are definitely more of an offensive-focused team in EA Sports College Football 25.

Of their top 10 players, only two of them are from the defensive side of the ball. Thankfully, offensive shootouts are common in EA Sports College Football 25. This means you can get wins with a good offense in the short term to .