NCAA 2006 impressions thread

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:41 am

I got smoked in the two default AA games I played last night. Got beat 35-0 by Louisville, playing with Boise State. Took a while to get used to some of the new running controls and also the speed of the game -- it's much faster this year.

Decided to start a Dynasty with Rice (I like to pick a 1-star team and work my way up). First game at UCLA, got beat 69-0! Worst beatdown ever for me. UCLA's RB (Greene?) had 300 yards, 5 rushing TDs, and returned a punt 70 yards for a score.

Most impressive thing I saw was the CPU blocking -- it's easily the best it's been. The big reason I got smoked so badly was because their blockers did such a good job, only a couple Rice defenders would usually be able to make tackles. A combo of poor angles and ill-advised dives led to some big plays.

I was able to run with some success out of the Flexbone, but my passing was so horrid, my drives always stalled on 3rd downs if I didn't gain a lot on 1st and 2nd.

Next up: #3 Texas! Hope I can keep the beat-down to 21 or less.

Badger_Fan · Post by **Badger_Fan** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 10:42 am

I picked it up yesterday and played two offline and one online game last night. Here are my thoughts:

1. Running game is great. It's nice to see pulling guards actually pull on a toss or a sweep. You can run inside as well for good yards if you use the juke to get past the line.

2. I suck at passing. I have to relearn how to pass. I've always held onto the ball too long and tended to roll out if I got in trouble but this game will kill you if you try to do that. For people that are getting heavy pressure from the CPU on AA I think that the rolling out is the problem...at least for me. I've noticed that if I stay in the pocket the line holds it up pretty well, but if I roll out I'm dead more often than not.

3. Like the new control scheme, but like many I gave up a few tds by switching when trying to sprint and vice versa.

4. The CPU will run the ball. Finally they have this right. In my two offline games the CPU ran the ball over 25 times. That's what I've been waiting for forever in this series.

5. As good as the lack of a speed cheat is on offense, it's even better on defense. It's good to know that if I screw up I'm going to pay for it. Gave up an 80 yard run to Laurence Maroney last night and it was all because I screwed up. Never had that fear in past installments of this series.

6. My first-ever online game was fun...for three quarters. Played some random guy (nobody here was on, or at least I didn't know how to look). He took Arkansas and I tried to find a similarly ranked team and took Arizona. I gave up one big run because I screwed up on the controls. Had a four-point lead going into the fourth quarter and then the cheese appeared. For two possessions in a row he ran the same play (2-back shotgun set with three wideouts with the guy on the right running a streak). Arizona has two impact safeties so I was doubling over on every play and stopped it 5 times, but the 6th time killed me. He scored on a 50 yard td with about a minute left and I lost. Don't mind losing, but irked that a guy that was playing pretty straight for most of the game resorted to cheese to get a win. Whatever.

Overall I really enjoyed the games I played. Got my ass handed to me by the CPU because I just couldn't move the ball through the air at all (default All American) but it was a refreshing change from just popping in the disc and kicking ass. I'm going to start a dynasty with Notre Dame to get used to the game before starting my traditional dynasty with the Badgers.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 11:28 am

The running game will seem easy at first but in dynasty mode, it will get tougher. After gaining big yards running the ball in my first 2 dynasty games, I am having trouble now running the ball.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 11:43 am

I keep enjoying this game more each time I play it. I finally got an online game in with Zep last night and even though both of our offenses were struggling there each of us passed for around 50% and only had 7 dropped balls between us.

And one thing I haven't seen mentioned are the load times for the Xbox version (not sure about the PS2 version). They are incredible. I can't remember the last game I had that loaded this fast on my Xbox.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 12:21 pm

ScoopBrady wrote:And one thing I haven't seen mentioned are the load times for the Xbox version (not sure about the PS2 version). They are incredible. I can't remember the last game I had that loaded this fast on my Xbox.

Yes, they are absolutely fantastic. I could have REALLY used an in-game save though. I'm really tired from feeling like I had to stay up to finish my second dynasty game even though I was ready for bed.

If the next gen games don't eventually feature in-game saves as a standard feature along with "Rivals-style" multiplayer, I'm going to be greatly disappointed.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 12:33 pm

Yep, the lack of a "sim game to end" or in-game save option is crappy.

Doesn't Madden have in-game saves?

matthewk · Post by **matthewk** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 2:21 pm

I GOT IT!!

Thankfully, the wife and kids (whom I love very much, but want out of the house so I can play NCAA) are going to "mom group" tonight, so I will have a couple of hours to play NCAA.

I played 2 halves last night (separate sittings) and I need to adjust from '04, but so far I like it.

My only complaints so far are:
1) The camera on passes. I can't see receivers in the flats all the time, or if there is a defenders out there as well. I tried both NCAA and classic cameras, but neither gives me a full field of the width of the field.

2) The game stutters horribly at times, mainly in the create-a-school screens. I'm still chugging along with a Thompson drive Xbox, so maybe that's the problem. In-game it seems fine, and just a little delay here and there in the main menus.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 3:06 pm

I thought the menus were a little sluggish as well. Didn't do create-a-school though.

That had me worried until I fired up my first game though!

Oh, I did get offered a spot at USC in Chase for Heisman or whatever it is called. Nothing like a mulleted, white boy, scrambling QB playing for the Trojans with a Joe Theismann facemask

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 3:46 pm

I agree with you guys about the loading times...holy crap they are fast. That was definitely a pleasant surprise after the last two years of SLOW AS HELL load times.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 4:32 pm

Anyone see this? I just lost a game in the final minute and the opposing player went to my goal post and it looked like he was pissing on it like a dog pisses on a fire hydrant. Is that what I am seenig or did they mean to do something else to the goalpost?

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 4:34 pm

Weaver2005 wrote:Anyone see this? I just lost a game in the final minute and the opposing player went to my goal post and it looked like he was pissing on it like a dog pisses on a fire hydrant. Is that what I am seenig or did they mean to do something else to the goalpost?

No he just pissed on you, it has happen to my team a few times.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 8:55 pm

On a side note, condolences to the players, fans and coaches of Missouri football on the passing of 19 year old Aaron O'Neal. This hit close to home as O'Neal was a graduate of the high school I attended, Parkway North.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2106522

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:34 pm

I like the game so far, and would give it a solid B+, but there are some issues that bug me.

1. Controls - Must we change the control scheme and button layout every year just to confuse us OLD men? The basic speed burst thing I don't mind, but Madden '05 had an excellent system for assiging hot routes (including right stick), a simple flick of the right stick to change the direction of a running play, and a RESPONSIVE hit stick. NCAA Lacks all 3. Sure you can use the 'Classic' control scheme, but it's still not Madden '05. Makes me wonder what Madden '06 will bring.

2. Bull-Dozers - Who's on Defense here? It seems like the HB is more likely to knock the lineman over than for the lineman to crush him with a tackle. I've seen instances where a RB made 4 defenders bump into one-another and tumble like bowling pins. It doesn't typically affect play, but it's annoying to watch.

3. Turn around, bright eyes... - Lineman and even Safeties will still sometimes cling to the guy blocking them even when the RB or WR is behind them. Only by taking manually control can you get the baffoons to turn around and tackle. If they 'can't', I believe that should be called HOLDING.

4. Hit Stick. - The hit-schtick in Madden was responsive, and would send the defender aggressively towards the opponent. Often, it seems like it does nothing in NCAA; I've hit it only to see my linebacker run right by an oncoming RB. I understand it's supposed to be a risk/reward system, but show him dive and miss, not just run by without doing anything.

Still, I really enjoy the game. Feel much better now.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:56 pm

Ok, I am pretty positive I've figured out that db one on one issue when you're controlling the db. It isn't really unresponsive, you just have to press the swat or Int button a second earlier than the previous games. I dont know why they did it that way, but I am finally able to get swats and picks on one vs one as the db vs the cpu wr. Just press the button a second earlier and hold onto it.

FatPitcher · Post by **FatPitcher** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 10:54 pm

LOD popping is pretty bad.

How do I stop the option?

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 11:40 pm

sportdan30 wrote:On a side note, condolences to the players, fans and coaches of Missouri football on the passing of 19 year old Aaron O'Neal. This hit close to home as O'Neal was a graduate of the high school I attended, Parkway North.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2106522

Yes indeed. Terrible news and a sad way to start the season for Gary and his staff. He will be in my prayers.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 1:33 am

Okay as Bill stated somewhere but I don't know where.

The late game AI if f'd up. Unless I don't know my football rules which could be true. Boise (me) v Georgia. Last minute or so.

First off they kept running options. Which did work since I was in a dime zone but come on.

Second the AI gets down to the six, and I get called for a facemask. Okay no problem ball on the 3. Nope sorry game over. WTF time ran out. I thought the game can't end on a defensive penalty. Not only that but doesn't the clock stop for penalties. Huh.

Maybe I'm confused. Which if I am then okay but this sure seems strange.

Andy76 · Post by **Andy76** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 9:46 am

JRod wrote:Okay as Bill stated somewhere but I don't know where.

The late game AI if f'd up. Unless I don't know my football rules which could be true. Boise (me) v Georgia. Last minute or so.

First off they kept running options. Which did work since I was in a dime zone but come on.

Second the AI gets down to the six, and I get called for a facemask. Okay no problem ball on the 3. Nope sorry game over. WTF time ran out. I thought the game can't end on a defensive penalty. Not only that but doesn't the clock stop for penalties. Huh.

Maybe I'm confused. Which if I am then okay but this sure seems strange.

The game not ending on a defensive penalty only applies if the clock reads 0:00. UGA should have spiked the ball or called a TO

icvu42 · Post by **icvu42** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 11:36 am

Well I played my first full game last nite. I used Playmakers AA sliders from OS. 8 min quarters. I was Wake Forest, CPU was Vanderbilt. Interesting game.

Vandy fumbles the opening KO. Three plays later I score to go up 7-0. Next series, Vandy goes three and out. They punt, and I return the punt 60+ yards for the TD. 14-0. 3rd series, I again hold Vandy to a three and out. They punt. Using primarily a ground attack, I drive about 70 yards and score a td, 21-0 and we still aren’t halfway through the 1st quarter. Vandy gets the ball back, puts together a nice drive and scores a TD 21-7. My next series I get a few first downs on the ground, but have to punt. Vandy gets the ball, and on first down, I pick off a pass and take it to the house 28-7. My RB has over 70 yards on the ground, and I’m thinking this is way too easy.

Well, Vandy slowly comes back, a 2nd quarter TD and it’s 28-14 at the half. They score again in the 3rd quarter and it’s 28-21. Now I’m starting to get nervous. I can move the ball on the ground, but nowhere near the success I had early on, and I can’t complete one pass all quarter. 4th quarter, Vandy scores an early TD and a FG to go up 31-28. I get the ball back and finally get a passing game going. I march down to Vandy’s 6 yard line. I attempt to throw a pass, it’s tipped and intercepted. On Vandy’s first down, I pick off a pass, and again take it to the house. 35-31. Vandy marches down field and scores another TD 38-31. There’s just under a minute left. I hit a couple of passes and get to their 33. With 3 seconds left, I attempt a 50 yard FG, it had the distance but wide right.

Overall a fun game. I can’t play defense for nothing. Vandy had 400 + yards against me. 220 on the ground and another 200 in the air. My RB finished with 120 yards, but my QB struggled going 12-27. They had a good mix of pass and run against me. They completed 2 long passes, but most of their stuff was underneath.

Looking forward to playing tonite.

Rick

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 11:48 am

I'm pretty happy with the way the game plays online. I do however feel there are some issues with the line play. Terry and I played for about 5 hours straight last night and during every game, the defensive lines completely dominated the offensive lines. The defensive linemen were ALWAYS in the backfield.

Rarely did a running back have a chance to get back to the line of scrimmage at all. And if the D-line had an Impact Player on it, forget it...that guy wreaked havoc all game long. Very rarely did the quarterbacks have much time to throw as well. It just seems like the balance of power is clearly on the defensive side of the ball, at least in terms of line play. It is frustrating, but nothing that isn't at least manageable in online play.

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 11:50 am

It is weird how the game ebbs and flows. I have had games where my offense was running so easily that I would stop the game to see if I accidently changed the difficulty level to 'easy.' But then suddenly in the same game, I can't do anything right and plays and players who were the bomb are suddenly lousy.

I also kept fumbling when using my wireless Logitech controller. I discovered that i was accidently pushing down on the left trigger while using the right stick. This initiates player celebrations. So I was having my running back struggling for a two yard gain and suddenly going into a heisman stance celebration and having the ball knocked out of his hands. Duh!

grtwhtsk · Post by **grtwhtsk** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 11:53 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:I'm pretty happy with the way the game plays online. I do however feel there are some issues with the line play. Terry and I played for about 5 hours straight last night and during every game, the defensive lines completely dominated the offensive lines. The defensive linemen were ALWAYS in the backfield.

Rarely did a running back have a chance to get back to the line of scrimmage at all. And if the D-line had an Impact Player on it, forget it...that guy wreaked havoc all game long. Very rarely did the quarterbacks have much time to throw as well. It just seems like the balance of power is clearly on the defensive side of the ball, at least in terms of line play. It is frustrating, but nothing that isn't at least manageable in online play.

I agree totally with you Scott. I played last night and saw D-linemen in my face the whole time. My first game I was sacked 8 times. That led me to throwing a bunch of interceptions as I was just trying to get the ball off.

Even with that, I am enjoying the game.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 12:11 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Rarely did a running back have a chance to get back to the line of scrimmage at all. And if the D-line had an Impact Player on it, forget it...that guy wreaked havoc all game long. Very rarely did the quarterbacks have much time to throw as well. It just seems like the balance of power is clearly on the defensive side of the ball, at least in terms of line play. It is frustrating, but nothing that isn't at least manageable in online play.

If that's true, it would be a reversal of previous NCAA games.

But people have been saying the running game is improved.

If the DL can mount a consistent pass rush, especially from the outside, it might alleviate some of the lob bombs some have been complaining about.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 12:15 pm

Most of my games lately have been high scoring affairs. Sometimes the games seem like a shootout. I probably have to improve on defense since it's not as easy to play defense on this game anymore.

I do like that the Dline gets through now. You cant hold the ball as the qb that long or you'll get sacked. The stronger running game balances out the strong Dline this year.

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 12:19 pm

I'm not talking about "holding the ball too long". I'm talking about taking a drop back, and when your third step hits the turf, you get hit by 2 guys.

It was bizarre. We were both killing each other game after game with the D-linemen. Not even always user controlled. Elite teams, crappy teams, you name it. The DL dominated every single game. The running back was getting hit by somebody as soon as he took the handoff. I think we had a game that was Michigan/Arizona State, and before halftime Arizona State had like -46 rushing because Michigan had 2 or 3 of their DL in the backfield instantly.

It was the strangest thing I ever saw.