NCAA 07 XBox 360 Thread

billharris44 · Post by **billharris44** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:46 am

I can't believe there's no way to reduce the intensity of that scoreboard. That should be a standard feature on all 360 games--a setting to increase the transparency.

I won a game tonight in the last minute by blocking a field goal attempt that would have tied the score. It was a real thrill to have a blocked kick have a role in the outcome of the game. How long have we waited for that--twenty years?

bdunn13 · Post by **bdunn13** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:59 am

billharris44 wrote:How long have we waited for that--twenty years?

Tecmo bowl had it.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:47 am

I've locked in my sliders for my AF dynasty and I can't say enough good things about NCAA. It's not perfect but it blows NFL 2k away. NFL 2k still does somethings better but the randomness of football is back. I would say that NCAA is the entire package.

Take a look at my games all AF v CPU...

vs Tenn - L 20 - 64
vs Wyoming W 21-7
va New Mexico L 6-64
vs Navy W 35-28

Okay the NM game wasn't that realistic as I think I was using a slider set from OS that was completely offensive minded. NM QB went 24-26 for 451 and 8 TDs. I could not stop him.

I would like to make a longer post but I need to get some sleep. I will say this for the first time in a long time (I can't remember if NFL 2k did this correctly) Nickel will not stop everyting. If you call nickel and they run, the CPU can get easy yardage off of you more times than not. If you blitz you can stop the run but if the RB gets into the secondary it could be a big play. Needless to say, if you blitz and there's one on one you could be screwed.

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 2:00 am

JRod wrote:I've locked in my sliders for my AF dynasty and I can't say enough good things about NCAA. It's not perfect but it blows NFL 2k away. NFL 2k still does somethings better but the randomness of football is back. I would say that NCAA is the entire package.

Take a look at my games all AF v CPU...

vs Tenn - L 20 - 64
vs Wyoming W 21-7
va New Mexico L 6-64
vs Navy W 35-28

Okay the NM game wasn't that realistic as I think I was using a slider set from OS that was completely offensive minded. NM QB went 24-26 for 451 and 8 TDs. I could not stop him.

I would like to make a longer post but I need to get some sleep. I will say this for the first time in a long time (I can't remember if NFL 2k did this correctly) Nickel will not stop everyting. If you call nickel and they run, the CPU can get easy yardage off of you more times than not. If you blitz you can stop the run but if the RB gets into the secondary it could be a big play. Needless to say, if you blitz and there's one on one you could be screwed.

The thing I am noticing moreso than I have noticed in other games, is that ratings actually matter. Especially in the trenches. Mismatches can be taken advantage of. And if the other team has an advantage you need to find a way to make up for it.

bdunn13 · Post by **bdunn13** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 2:10 am

Especialy the speed rating in the open field. I was playing an online game tonight and my guy ran a 3 yard crossing pattern. I continued the cross for a yard or two after I caught the ball and then turned it up field to split the defenders. A few seconds and 77 yards later I turned a short pass into a long gain. I was georgia and was playing northwestern(league game here) so I had an obvious advantage. However, in previous version of the game I would have been tackled for a 5 yard gain.

I also play safety 90% of the time. In the past I could use speed burst when I was out of position to get to where the ball was going and make a play. This year, when you are out of position you are toast. Thats how it should be. Now I just need to learn how to cover in the new engine.

BD

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 9:22 am

bkrich83 wrote:The thing I am noticing moreso than I have noticed in other games, is that ratings actually matter. Especially in the trenches. Mismatches can be taken advantage of. And if the other team has an advantage you need to find a way to make up for it.

I've noticed this too. I've played games where the cpu brings out a 3 wideout set so I go with nickel. It didn't matter if I played man or zone, the cpu was lighting me up in the air. I started bringing out a dime and started shutting down the passing game. The cpu got wise to what I was doing and started running out of the 3 wideout set and my dime defense was no match for the running game.

I'm getting shootouts, blowouts, and tight defensive battles in this game. The deep ball is not money like it was last year but you can still hit them. I haven't played the Xbox version but the 360 version isn't really making me want to. I know I'm probably missing out (my brother has both and says the Xbox version is very good this year) but I'm not going to buy the Xbox version when I'm having so much fun with the 360 version. I bought the PSP version for that and as soon as they patch it I'll be in football heaven. Then Madden comes out and I have a feeling the 360 version is going to blow us away. With all of this football game goodness and the Bears opening training camp this week I've been giddy for the past couple of days.

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 10:05 am

JRod wrote:I've locked in my sliders for my AF dynasty and I can't say enough good things about NCAA. It's not perfect but it blows NFL 2k away. NFL 2k still does somethings better but the randomness of football is back. I would say that NCAA is the entire package.

Take a look at my games all AF v CPU...

vs Tenn - L 20 - 64
vs Wyoming W 21-7
va New Mexico L 6-64
vs Navy W 35-28

Okay the NM game wasn't that realistic as I think I was using a slider set from OS that was completely offensive minded. NM QB went 24-26 for 451 and 8 TDs. I could not stop him.

I would like to make a longer post but I need to get some sleep. I will say this for the first time in a long time (I can't remember if NFL 2k did this correctly) Nickel will not stop everyting. If you call nickel and they run, the CPU can get easy yardage off of you more times than not. If you blitz you can stop the run but if the RB gets into the secondary it could be a big play. Needless to say, if you blitz and there's one on one you could be screwed.

Care to share your slider set, JRod?

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 10:09 am

billharris44 wrote:I can't believe there's no way to reduce the intensity of that scoreboard. That should be a standard feature on all 360 games--a setting to increase the transparency.

I won a game tonight in the last minute by blocking a field goal attempt that would have tied the score. It was a real thrill to have a blocked kick have a role in the outcome of the game. How long have we waited for that--twenty years?

If they would just have the scoreboard go away during the plays, the way Madden 2006 did on the XBox, it would be no problem. I've had my plasma for a year and this is the first time I've ever had any image retention. It sucks because I'm going to have to limit my playing.

The only two games I can think of that had regular blocked FGs other than Tecmo were Joe Montana Sportstalk Football on the Genesis and I think Madden 2002 -- you could get through with the MLB every so often.

It is very refreshing to have this year.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 10:12 am

Has anyone seen a punt blocked yet? I've had some come close.

Did they give up on the feature that had sliders sets with codes so you didn't have to enter them all or is that still in the Xbox version?

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 10:12 am

bdunn13 wrote:Especialy the speed rating in the open field. I was playing an online game tonight and my guy ran a 3 yard crossing pattern. I continued the cross for a yard or two after I caught the ball and then turned it up field to split the defenders. A few seconds and 77 yards later I turned a short pass into a long gain. I was georgia and was playing northwestern(league game here) so I had an obvious advantage. However, in previous version of the game I would have been tackled for a 5 yard gain.

I also play safety 90% of the time. In the past I could use speed burst when I was out of position to get to where the ball was going and make a play. This year, when you are out of position you are toast. Thats how it should be. Now I just need to learn how to cover in the new engine.

BD

Yeah, BD, that game really demonstrated the rating differences. NW was obviously slower and not as strong and athletic as Georgia, as it should be.

I also like that you can't get away with a lot of garbage in the passing game, at least on the 360. Two of my picks were thrown into double coverage, and you should get punished when you do that.

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:37 pm

Leebo33 wrote:Has anyone seen a punt blocked yet? I've had some come close.

Did they give up on the feature that had sliders sets with codes so you didn't have to enter them all or is that still in the Xbox version?

I haven't seen one, but I have come real close a few times.

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:53 pm

I go back and forth a lot in this game wondering if what I am seeing on the field is "real" or "realistic." Then I remember that this is the college game after all. For example, in one game I was able to pretty much limit the rushing attack from the AI team except that they had 2 long runs up the middle for TDs. It felt unrealistic but then I remembered a real game from a few years back where Clemson had 2 long TD runs against Georgia Tech in a very similar situation. Like in my game, both runs came on third and short with the CBs and safeties pulled up for run support and consequently, once the runner got past the initial defense, there was no way anyone was going to get them. Makes sense - it also had me change my defense to the point where I sometimes concede the first down and leave the safeties back in coverage to keep things in front of me.

I still see too many interceptions by my team - even with the slider set at zero. I think that the momentum meter may be the reason for this - but I am not sure. The momentum meter seems to make little sense to me. In a game between WVU and Tennessee, (me as WVU) I was behind by 10 but intercepted a pass and took it back 91 yards for the TD. The momentum meter stayed with 4 bars filled for Tennessee. Then, on the ensuining kickoff, Tenn fumbled and I got it back inside the 20. Still 3 bars filled for Tenn. After I blew an easy field goal, Tenn fumbled again on their next possession and I scored 3 plays later to take the lead. At this point it was obvious that all of the momentum was in WVU's favor to the point where it felt like there was a comeback code working in my favor - but the momentum meter was stuck in the middle with no bars in anyones' favor. Very strange.

I think that EA is probably struggling a little with the game AI for reasons that make a lot of sense to me. In order to give fast players breakaway speed, it means that when you screw up and hit the wrong button and send your DB in the wrong direction, it could cost you a touchdown. Same goes when you run a play that puts your faster player ahead of the defense. It makes for a lot more 'big plays' than in past years. But I think they did as good a job as possible to straddle the line between realistic breakaway speed and realistic gameplay. But it makes it harder to have a low scoring defensive struggle.

The run game also feels pretty balanced - although running to the outside is almost as hard as in the NFL game. It takes more thought and football knowledge to have a good running game, but I am finally starting to get some solid gains from draws and mixing in the inside run with the outside run. For the first time in an EA game, I actually find myself running a play that probably won't work just so I can set up the next play. It feels good to have games where I have 57 yards rushing on 18 carries and feel like I earned every yard. It also feels good to see the AI team have a 100 rushing yards on 20 carries with no run longer than 15 yards on any play.

Phototropic · Post by **Phototropic** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:24 pm

Brando70 wrote:
billharris44 wrote:I can't believe there's no way to reduce the intensity of that scoreboard. That should be a standard feature on all 360 games--a setting to increase the transparency.

I won a game tonight in the last minute by blocking a field goal attempt that would have tied the score. It was a real thrill to have a blocked kick have a role in the outcome of the game. How long have we waited for that--twenty years?
If they would just have the scoreboard go away during the plays, the way Madden 2006 did on the XBox, it would be no problem. I've had my plasma for a year and this is the first time I've ever had any image retention. It sucks because I'm going to have to limit my playing.

I agree. I've started noticing some image retention as well and hate having to limit my playtime.

hellbent · Post by **hellbent** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 2:02 pm

bkrich83 wrote:
Leebo33 wrote:Has anyone seen a punt blocked yet? I've had some come close.

Did they give up on the feature that had sliders sets with codes so you didn't have to enter them all or is that still in the Xbox version?

I haven't seen one, but I have come real close a few times.

I blocked one this past weekend, as Bowling Green v Clemson on Heisman. They were at their own 2-3 yard line and I called the punt block and stuffed the punter for a safety.

Heisman level on this game is playing out great for me so far. I had to reduce my RB Ability to 25 to account for the fact that if I use a fast QB and fast RB to run the option, I can typically pile up 250 - 300 rushing yards, even if using a bad team against a good defense. With RB ability at 25, it plays out about right. Now I'm just trying to get the CPU to run the ball better without getting off too many of those huge breakaway runs we've all run into. I just want running teams like Michigan, Clemson, West Virginia, et al to be able to crush the weak teams with the run without doing the same thing every time against the better defenses in the game. Right now I have the CPU run blocking slider at 75, and that seems to be close to right for me.

The only other necessary tweak I can think of at all is that I plan on using Bill H's kicking sliders once those are set - I've seen the same things he's been posting from my kicking game and the CPU's on Heisman. Bill did wonders with the NFL 2k5 sliders, so I'm willing to give these kicking sliders a shot.

SoMisss2000 · Post by **SoMisss2000** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 3:32 pm

bkrich83 wrote:
Leebo33 wrote:Has anyone seen a punt blocked yet? I've had some come close.

Did they give up on the feature that had sliders sets with codes so you didn't have to enter them all or is that still in the Xbox version?

I haven't seen one, but I have come real close a few times.

I've blocked one. I think it was against Va. Tech. I had them pinned at their own 1. On 4th down, I called the punt block and got it! Achievement Unlocked!!! Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 10:47 pm

AJ,

Hey I did read your post but went back and changed my sliders, then went back to my old sliders. I couldn't get a game that was like real football. Far too many EA drives (-1, -3, 43) with a lot of sliders sets. I hate that crap. When I felt they were good for the option teams, I figured I wanted to test them out with other teams. I put in Hawaii vs Alabama; and even though Alabama has an A- team Hawaii can go ape-nuts on them.

I think I've tweaked them to get them closer to how I like to play. But I concede if you are a joystick jockey you might be too good with my sliders. Personally in every game I own, I utilize maybe 10% of the controls. Haha.

I'll post them later on...

Guys, it's been about two weeks and this game has "it". I can't explain it but I have never had so much fun just picking two teams and playing. (Only other game I do that is WE.) This game is tons of fun.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 2:20 am

Anyone else seeing disconnects becoming more of a problem? I think in the last 5 games I've played only 1 has avoided a d/c. I'm pretty certain it's not my connection, as it's quite robust and I have no d/c problems in any other games I'm playing lately.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 4:05 pm

I'm still really loving the game, but I'm into a bit of unwanted "slideritis" right now. The good thing is that most of them work pretty well except for CPU FG accuracy. I have that thing at zero and have never seen the CPU miss left or right. Why did EA decide to copy the worst part of NFL 2K4? I'm still getting too many interceptions, but I've had good results recently if I don't lower knockdowns but rather increase CPU accuracy.

I'm a little pissed because I was up 17-0 as PSU at ND and then lost it. I was also up 21-0 today at Ohio State and lost. Add in a last second loss as Washington to Oregon and I'm worried, but hoping that it is just my inability to nail the win down. I've seen plenty of instances of "anti" comeback logic so I think it is just a fluke.

It's not a "gamekiller" hatred, but I hate the momentum because it just doesn't make a lick of sense sometimes. Oregon (CPU) scored a TD and the bar goes all the way to them. Then I score a TD and it is still in their favor by 3? WTF. I pick them off in the end zone and it goes to +2 still them. I punt, they pickup a 10 yard run and it goes to +3. Again, WTF? I felt like the entire game rather than fighting Oregon I was battling the momentum meter. It really changes my game because I substantially lay off the impact stick on offense when momentum is against me due to fumbles. I don't mind the concept, but it needs reworked. I especially think that home teams should not lose momentum as easily as it is in this game. I also think it should be an option that can be disabled or at least allow me to turn off the graphic as it ruins a bit of the sense of realism.

All in all I'm having a great time with the game and more often than not my results are believable.

bdunn13 · Post by **bdunn13** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:59 pm

Me shadowing Kenny Irons in year 1 of my dynasty. Don't do it Cox.

I told you not to do it.

Georgia vs Nebraska 2007 Cotton Bowl. Nice tip Tra, next time knock it down.

Sigh.

Joe T, 3rd generation Bulldog takes his last snap as a 5th Year senior in the Cotton Bowl before getting benched after a 6-20 3 int performance.

Run Danny run!

Nice dive, next time remember to take the ball with you.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:15 pm

Those are great!!

grtwhtsk · Post by **grtwhtsk** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 12:46 am

Brando70 wrote:This game is making a great impression...on my plasma screen.

EA's decision to keep the score bar up all the time has caused my first instance of image retention on my TV, after just a couple hours of play. Happened the other night in my Dynasty, happened again tonight after my league game.

It's not a big deal, as it is faint and I got it to fade after some regular TV viewing, but I wish there was a way to turn it off.

Same here, noticed it tonight.

Wilk5280 · Post by **Wilk5280** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:45 am

I haven't noticed any burn-in. Just wondering, do rear projection tv's have issues with that at all?

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 1:25 pm

Couple from my recent Dynasty game vs. Cal.

Damnit, another pick. I suck

My RB hit's Paydirt.

Trent Edwards throws for 6 on a goalline boot play.

Brandon Harrison drops the hammer.

bdunn13 · Post by **bdunn13** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 1:46 pm

Thanks MizzouRah....... I had a few more but I forgot the story behind them so I did not post...... pictures out of context are boring.

Boom, projection TVs will burn in. I have a 5 year old or so 47in WS Panny that was small white bars(very hard to see though) on each side of the TV from watching shows in 4:3 mode when I first got it.

BK, quit trying to out do me.. and the reason you suck passing is b/c your feet are not set

Those Stanford white unis are pretty sweet too.

THIS GAME KICKS ASS!

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 1:49 pm

bdunn13 wrote:Thanks MizzouRah....... I had a few more but I forgot the story behind them so I did not post...... pictures out of context are boring.

Boom, projection TVs will burn in. I have a 5 year old or so 47in WS Panny that was small white bars(very hard to see though) on each side of the TV from watching shows in 4:3 mode when I first got it.

BK, quit trying to out do me.. and the reason you suck passing is b/c your feet are not set

Those Stanford white unis are pretty sweet too.

THIS GAME KICKS ASS!

LOL.

The one where his feet weren't set, was the one he actually threw for a score.

I agree with you, this game does indeed kick ass.

Online game tonight?