As a big fan of sports video games, I’ve fallen in love with EA Sports’ NCAA Football series. I always felt it was superior to Madden across the board. Maybe it’s because recruiting is more fun than signing free agents. Or maybe its because NCAA Football has the option. But it’s probably because John Madden isn’t spewing the same commentary as the 2000 version of Madden.

EA Sports will announce the coverboy for NCAA Football 2008 in a press conference today. But thanks to a report from Deadspin, we already know who it will be. Brady Quinn? Troy Smith? Chris Leak? None of the above. Boise State quarterback Jared Zabransky has been chosen to be on the cover, which is a definite shocker. This is a franchise that has gone with a well recognized player every time a new game is released. Last year was Reggie Bush. Other coverboys have included Larry Fitzgerald and Carson Palmer. Going with a lesser known player like Zabransky is surprising, but it promises some good things.

Often times, EA Sports puts an athlete on their cover to correspond with a new feature. NCAA 2006 featured Desmond Howard striking his classic Heisman pose. It was all designed to promote the game’s new feature, Race for the Heisman. By putting Zabransky on the cover, will we see a number of new trick plays put into the game? The game may also feature some new tweaks to dynasty mode, emphasizing lesser known schools. There’s lots of options here and we’re excited for it. The game will hit shelves in mid-July and consume my life for the remainer of summer.