NCAA Football 12

[sportdan30]

Wilk, Toon, and T,

Thanks for the suggestions and advice! I hadn't thought of varying my snap count, mainly because I thought that would only be effective versus a human opponent. I'm definitely going to give that a try this evening. Also, last night towards the end of my gaming session, I was really trying to focus in on the receiver in single coverage. I still wasn't very successful, but I did have a couple lucky grabs.

I'd love to see them implement the wide receivers to come back towards the ball and actually fight for the reception. As it is, they run their routes and don't come back if the ball is thrown short.

[Naples39]

So what is the best deal to get this game?

[TCrouch]

Wilk, Toon, and T,

Thanks for the suggestions and advice! I hadn't thought of varying my snap count, mainly because I thought that would only be effective versus a human opponent. I'm definitely going to give that a try this evening. Also, last night towards the end of my gaming session, I was really trying to focus in on the receiver in single coverage. I still wasn't very successful, but I did have a couple lucky grabs.

I'd love to see them implement the wide receivers to come back towards the ball and actually fight for the reception. As it is, they run their routes and don't come back if the ball is thrown short.

There's really a groove you have to get into to have a good passing game IMO. I'm much better now than I was the first dozen or so games I played. Agreed on the receivers not coming back for the ball, but I always switch and try to get position anyway. It helps on comebacks or post routes, but on the hitches where I don't have enough time to switch--I think half my picks have been on routes like that where I throw and don't realize the CB is just staring me down, waiting on me to fire the ball at him.

That's another thing I've seen...if the defender has his back to you, you can actually throw the ball at him and have good success. If you throw the ball at a defender that's looking right at you--not so much. Little things like that have really impressed me over the course of the past week. I've lobbed some balls that a LB or DB easily could have picked off, but it sailed right past their head to my receiver because they were staring the receiver down.

[JRod]

Wilk, Toon, and T,

Thanks for the suggestions and advice! I hadn't thought of varying my snap count, mainly because I thought that would only be effective versus a human opponent. I'm definitely going to give that a try this evening. Also, last night towards the end of my gaming session, I was really trying to focus in on the receiver in single coverage. I still wasn't very successful, but I did have a couple lucky grabs.

I'd love to see them implement the wide receivers to come back towards the ball and actually fight for the reception. As it is, they run their routes and don't come back if the ball is thrown short.

There's really a groove you have to get into to have a good passing game IMO. I'm much better now than I was the first dozen or so games I played. Agreed on the receivers not coming back for the ball, but I always switch and try to get position anyway. It helps on comebacks or post routes, but on the hitches where I don't have enough time to switch--I think half my picks have been on routes like that where I throw and don't realize the CB is just staring me down, waiting on me to fire the ball at him.

That's another thing I've seen...if the defender has his back to you, you can actually throw the ball at him and have good success. If you throw the ball at a defender that's looking right at you--not so much. Little things like that have really impressed me over the course of the past week. I've lobbed some balls that a LB or DB easily could have picked off, but it sailed right past their head to my receiver because they were staring the receiver down.

You know what doesn't work...playing the game like an old NCAA. Before, you could just chuck it and as long as you know the route and what the AI was capable of you'd be okay. Like knowing an out route. I still think that defenders are able to go around WRs a little too easy for picks that shouldn't be picks.

I love to dive tackle and that doesn't work.

[TCrouch]

I just had to go on the road against Oklahoma with my Sophomore RTG QB. After my debacle of a game against Ohio State, I decided to intentionally play it safe and go with dumpoffs to try to work up a rhythm, then take my shots downfield if the playcalls were coming in that allowed it.

Starting off, they naturally drive right down the field and score an opening TD. My offense is actually running the ball fairly well--getting 4 or 5 yards a clip and I only have to throw twice on the opening possession, but it bogs down just outside of FG range. After forcing a punt, I go on another sustained drive, this time punching it into the end zone. Naturally, the Sooners sit up and take notice that it's 7-7, and go with another fast drive right back down the field. With under 2 minutes left in the half already, my coach starts opening up the playbook and I hit a couple of deep strikes down the heart of the defense, leading to another TD and a 14-14 halftime tie.

This is where it got really interesting for me.

With the game hanging in the balance, my defense held, but I was stuck into a 3rd and 18 after a toss attempt that got destroyed and a false start. I had to really force myself to be disciplined here, and checked down to the running back, knowing it wouldn't be a conversion. Of course it got all of about 7 yards. Oklahoma immediately jammed another TD down my defense's throat, and then on my ensuing possession, with the entire game hinging on that possession, my TE dropped a simple catch over the middle on 3rd and 8.

I've never seen one play so completely change a game. Had he caught that ball, we're almost in the red zone, down 21-14, late in the 3rd quarter with a chance to keep trading punches. But he didn't. He dropped it, and the Sooners struck quickly again, making it 28-14 in the 4th quarter, and it just felt like the wheels were coming off.

My coach started calling insane pass plays since we were down by 14, asking me to throw 20 yards a clip each snap. That naturally led to a pick-6 with just under a minute left, which turns a hard-fought 14-14 game into a 35-14 laugher of a blowout. I've never felt so engrossed in a football game before--cursing my coach and tight end, apologizing to an empty room when I made a horrible decision and threw it to a guy in double coverage, only spotting the wide open guy after the ball had left my hand, etc.

The receiver routes were squiggly as all hell, I couldn't audible yet (but I CAN hot route, go me!), and it just felt like I was fighting uphill all damn game. If I could have just had one or two plays back...

I love this game.

[XXXIV]

I love this game.

Love it also

I havent eaten or slept for 76 straight days now.

All I do is play this game!

....and as the only other guy I know that has six level 85 WoW players, Terry knows what a HUGE seal of approval it is for this beautiful football game.

[Lancer]

I used the 20% off TRU coupon and got the game and believe the hype!

I only played 2 games but the game is much improved over last year.

The biggest difference I see is cpu pass defense. Last years slants and TE over the middle don't work as much now. The Defensive backs play tough!

I saw some late game clock management issues by the cpu but not a big deal. The games I played were very very fun and challenging.

First game I played I got shutout, I was Hawaii at Uconn, lost to UConn 13-0.

Next game I was Iowa hosting ISU, I won a close game 28-20.

Stats were perfect!

But the best thing I got out of my experience was HOW RELAXING the game is to play this year. I can sit back and just relax this year unlike previous years.

I dont know how Madden is going to top this and I had my heart set on Madden.

I haven't even delved into the new options so very happy with this game.

[icvu42]

Okay my biggest gripe with this game...there is no friggin' manual!!!!
I remember the basics, but have forgotten what buttons to do hot routes and the pre-snap defensive adjustments. Is there anywhere where this info is posted? The in-game manual only covers the basics.

Also, how do you set up to play as more than one team in a dynasty(offline)? I was playing around with career mode last night, but I never saw anywhere where it let me select the number of users. I generally like toplay as a big school and small school.

Otherwise I am really enjoying the gameplay this year. You can actually call play-action passes and have time to run them without getting sacked.

Rick

[vinny-b]

Okay my biggest gripe with this game...there is no friggin' manual!!!!
I remember the basics, but have forgotten what buttons to do hot routes and the pre-snap defensive adjustments. Is there anywhere where this info is posted? The in-game manual only covers the basics.

Also, how do you set up to play as more than one team in a dynasty(offline)? I was playing around with career mode last night, but I never saw anywhere where it let me select the number of users. I generally like toplay as a big school and small school.

Otherwise I am really enjoying the gameplay this year. You can actually call play-action passes and have time to run them without getting sacked.Rick

well gamefaqs will have all that info.

feel you, tho. Of any genre/title, football games represent most difficulty (button assigment) for me to remember

[pigpen81]

On my controller setup screen, there are lots of moves that are locked. Moves by my DT at the line, and others that are escaping me.

Am I missing something?

[Lancer]

the manual in on the disc - I don't know how to get to it though

[icvu42]

the manual in on the disc - I don't know how to get to it though

I've gone through the manual on the disc, but it is doesn't cover everything.

Rick

[pigpen81]

the manual in on the disc - I don't know how to get to it though

I've gone through the manual on the disc, but it is doesn't cover everything.

Rick

Correct,

there are no post snap defensive controls listed in the in game manual.

How do I unlock some of the controls?

[DookieMowf]

the manual in on the disc - I don't know how to get to it though

I've gone through the manual on the disc, but it is doesn't cover everything.

Rick

Correct,

there are no post snap defensive controls listed in the in game manual.

How do I unlock some of the controls?

There is a section in game, either under controls or settings those shows all the button layouts and how to do everything. Unless you are talking about the options while on the field? If so, you should be able to click one of the sticks I believe and it brings up the control fuctions that you can change by using the right and left stick.

My biggest problem with the game, is the CPU pass rush. In my North Texas dynasty I have been sacked 19 times more than any other QB and I was sacked 12 times a few games back. I know UNT has a horrible offensive line, but the defenses I am facing are not great. I try to mix up my snap count, but it seems every time I press the fake hike button more than once, I get a false start.

I am loving this game though. Having fun playing as an OC. The RTG improvements are a nice addition as well.

[TCrouch]

Dookie,

I know you don't suck, so some of these may seem redundant, but I'll say them anyway.

I had to completely relearn how to play this series. I had a habit of stepping to my right or left if I was throwing that direction, which led me right into a defensive end. With the suction blocking gone, a lot of times the tackles correctly "chuck" a pass rusher past the pocket, and if you're dropping back too far or to the left/right, you're going to get clobbered really quickly.

Staying in the pocket leads to some sacks from defensive tackles that just b*tchslap your interior line, though. If you have a poor offensive line, that becomes magnified. This is the first year I've used a LOT of OL shifts presnap. Roughly half the snaps I take in the game have some sort of OL shift in it now. If I see a defender showing blitz on the left side, it's LT+left. If I know it's a huge running down on 3rd and short, I set them to aggressive. If I see an all out blitz or my guards are getting killed, I'm pinching a lot and making sure I stay dead-set in the pocket. Calling hot routes for the backs or tight ends to stay in for pass protection is helpful, too. Some plays I only have 2 guys running routes, then a dumpoff to a back with 7 guys pass blocking. It's much more realistic than the years of "go 5 wide and chuck it" in the past.

The snap count is a big part of it, but if your guys aren't all that bright, false starts are a big problem. You may be SOL until you get some new blood along the line, but using a lot of OL shifts with the varied count and proper positioning in the pocket will pay huge dividends. There are some sacks you just can't get out of, but 12 sacks in a game means you're either dropping back too far or rolling slightly left or right--probably without even thinking about it.

Also stay away from long developing plays if your line is that bad. You shouldn't call anything that isn't a 3-step drop

[DookieMowf]

Terry,
It's probably just a mixture of things you pointed out. Playing it like the old way, not leaving guys into block and I never use my o-line shifts. I'll have to start remembering that. Appreciate the pointers. We should get some games in, playing you was always a blast.

[sportdan30]

I can relate to Dookie's limited time in the pocket frustration. I will count "one one thousand, two one thousand", and by that time I have a defensive tackle bearing down on me. I too tried varying the snap count and I incurred at least a half a dozen false starts yesterday. I do find myself more times than not scurrying out of the pocket and either throwing on my heels or on the run. I realize that is a recipe for disaster.

There are times that I feel as though the defense knows exactly what plays I'm calling. I don't do a lot of pre-snap changes (I'm not real sure how to call audibles), but I do ocassionally move my offensive line. I tried a couple hot routes and still did not have much success.

Prior to the snap, I don't get any drop down windows on offense except for the line shift. I know you can hit a button for audibles, but I can't see the play to choose from. Is it hidden and I have to change it somewhere in the settings? How many audible plays are there?

In addition, on defense, again I don't see the option to choose a different play after I've chosen the one from the selected screen. Generally, I'll just use the left trigger to guess pass or run. I have found if you choose run and it's a pass, you will get burned the majority of the time. Therefore, many times I don't select either. Is there an advantage or disadvantage by not selecting one?

[Wilk5280]

Click the right stick in to get the drop down menu's to show what audibles you can call, pre-snap adjustment controls, etc.

[Lancer]

In my North Texas dynasty.....

I think that's your problem right there

This year the gap between good and bad teams is very noticeable.

I really have no complaints about the CPU Def skill, I think it's just perfect. I'd rather have this than the swiss cheese CPU defenses in past EA football games. It plays more like a human player would on defense.

[sportdan30]

I agree Lancer. And while I've never been more frustrated in a football video game....EVER, it feels more realistic than any game I've played. As much as I want to throw the controller, I also want to get better. In the past, high scoring games became very stale rather quickly.

[sportdan30]

Click the right stick in to get the drop down menu's to show what audibles you can call, pre-snap adjustment controls, etc.

Thanks!

[DookieMowf]

In my North Texas dynasty.....

I think that's your problem right there

This year the gap between good and bad teams is very noticeable.

.

Yeah, but I'm playing equally bad teams.

[JRod]

My only real major compliant is how twitchy it seems to get, leading to some really big plays. On both side of the ball. In fact, big plays are pretty abundant in every game.

I was CU playing Stanford and beat them 34-24. Pretty much base sliders on AA. The RB for CU is rated 93 and fast. The problem is the WRs do not get open so I had to take Terry's advice and nickel and dime the defense with short passes. I went deep a few times just for the sake of it.

[dbdynsty25]

My only real major compliant is how twitchy it seems to get, leading to some really big plays. On both side of the ball. In fact, big plays are pretty abundant in every game.

I was CU playing Stanford and beat them 34-24. Pretty much base sliders on AA. The RB for CU is rated 93 and fast. The problem is the WRs do not get open so I had to take Terry's advice and nickel and dime the defense with short passes. I went deep a few times just for the sake of it.

How exactly do you nickel and dime the defense? Are you bargain shopping for offense? Dink and dunk, maybe...LOL.

[JRod]

My only real major compliant is how twitchy it seems to get, leading to some really big plays. On both side of the ball. In fact, big plays are pretty abundant in every game.

I was CU playing Stanford and beat them 34-24. Pretty much base sliders on AA. The RB for CU is rated 93 and fast. The problem is the WRs do not get open so I had to take Terry's advice and nickel and dime the defense with short passes. I went deep a few times just for the sake of it.

How exactly do you nickel and dime the defense? Are you bargain shopping for offense? Dink and dunk, maybe...LOL.

It's a saying...try to keep up.