In College Football 25, the Conference Prestige grade represents the overall strength of a college football conference based on the combined team prestige of each member school. This grade reflects the competitive landscape of the conference and plays a crucial role in recruiting, where recruits are drawn to strong conferences that offer the chance to play against elite competition.
Conference Prestige measures the collective power and reputation of a conference. It evaluates how strong the conference is based on the Team Prestige grades of all the schools within it. Conferences with several powerhouse programs naturally have a higher Conference Prestige grade, making them more attractive to top recruits and setting the stage for fierce competition.
This grade is dynamic and can fluctuate throughout your Dynasty. As programs rise or fall in stature within a conference, the overall Conference Prestige can shift, reflecting the changing balance of power in college football. Schools in prestigious conferences benefit from increased visibility, more television appearances, and a better chance of making the College Football Playoff.
Conference Prestige can have a significant impact on recruiting success. Recruits are naturally drawn to conferences with a history of success, elite programs, and high-profile games. A higher Conference Prestige grade gives your program an edge in recruiting battles, especially when competing against schools from lower-ranked conferences.
For example, schools in the SEC, Big Ten, or Pac-12 typically have higher Conference Prestige grades due to the strength of the teams within those conferences. Recruits often want to play for a school in a conference with a reputation for producing NFL talent and competing for national championships. If your school is part of a prestigious conference, you can leverage this during your recruiting pitches.
Conversely, schools in lower-ranked conferences may find it more challenging to attract elite recruits. These programs will need to focus on other areas, such as Playing Time or Program Tradition, to remain competitive on the recruiting trail.
Conference Prestige is one of the 14 categories that make up your school’s My School Grades. These grades provide a detailed look at your program’s strengths and weaknesses. Here’s the full list of My School Grades:
In Dynasty Mode, Conference Prestige influences your team’s ability to recruit and its position in the national college football landscape. Teams in prestigious conferences have a better chance to attract top-tier talent, get selected for high-profile bowl games, and qualify for the College Football Playoff. Your program’s success within a strong conference also boosts its visibility, further strengthening your recruiting efforts.
While individual team performance drives Team Prestige, your school benefits from the collective success of your conference as well. Even if your program is in a rebuilding phase, being part of a high-prestige conference can still draw interest from recruits eager to compete at the highest level.
While your actions directly affect your Team Prestige, Conference Prestige is driven by the overall success of all the schools in your conference. As teams within the conference perform well, win championships, and develop elite rosters, the Conference Prestige will rise. However, if the conference as a whole struggles, its prestige may decline.
If your school is part of a lower-prestige conference, your goal may be to elevate your program’s performance, pushing your school—and the conference—into national prominence. Conference realignment and the shifting landscape of college football can also open up opportunities to move to a higher-prestige conference over time.
In College Football 25, Conference Prestige is a key metric that reflects the overall strength of your conference and plays an important role in recruiting and team visibility. Being part of a high-prestige conference can give your school an edge in attracting top talent, qualifying for bowl games, and competing for national championships. As you progress through your Dynasty, keeping track of your conference’s prestige and working to improve your team’s standing within it will be crucial to long-term success.