NCAA Football 12

[TCrouch]

Yeah, it really starts to make sense after a while. What you have to do is discard everything you thought you knew and start from a clean slate. I'm just now starting to be efficient (10 yards per completion, low TD:INT ratio, 60% or greater pass completions, and low sack totals) near the end of my 2nd season as the starter.

I'll still have some stinkers, but I am at least able to shred the mediocre defenses I face at this point. I think RTG QB is the absolute best way to learn to play quarterback in this game--because you start out with all the tools in high school, but when you get to college, everything gets stripped away. You really learn to appreciate simply being able to hot route a receiver, or even see the play art (my very first start was on the road against an undefeated Oregon team. All of my wide receiver routes in the pre-play diagrams looked like epileptic earthworms on crack. I've never seen the play art jump around that badly).

In my last game against #25 Washington, I was 17 of 23 for 206 yards, 4 TD's and 0 INTs with 2 sacks allowed. But getting to that point has been a very slow progression. I'd do very well for most of a game, then throw a back-breaking pick near the end. And don't ignore the threat of using your feet as the passer, either. Even as a pocket passer I can step up through the line and pick up 15 yards if they're coming hell-bent on sacking the QB. A few of those and the defense backs off a bit.

I'm just amazed at how much you have to learn to play efficiently, even on AA. I'm sure there are money plays still around, but since I'm not actually CALLING my plays, I'm at the mercy of my offensive coordinator. You'd be shocked at how much better you get over the course of a couple of seasons playing nothing but QB. Starting off with no tools (only the ability to run the play called) was very sobering. But when I finally got the ability to hot route my receivers at home or on the road, choose from 2 extra plays 20 times a game, I was more efficient with them. I didn't rely on the audibles as much as I used to, because I could execute the play called much better. I can barely wait for my Junior and Senior campaigns. Cal has gone from 3-9 my first season (1-7 as the starter) to 6-4 this year, with 2 of the 4 losses coming on last-minute comebacks by the CPU. I had either tied or taken the lead in the game late in the 4th, only to watch my defense crumble. The only crushing defeats I've had this season were on the road against Ohio State and Oklahoma, which is to be expected with Cal.

If they can recruit some better talent on the line and at wideout, I feel like I could make a National Championship run with this team. And let me tell you, it'll feel like a hell of an accomplishment coming from where I started in this game--and that's about the highest compliment I can give the game. Every other year, I won the National Championship almost immediately at QB and rarely lost a game. This year, it took a month to crack the starting lineup (thank God the Cal QB's are mid-70's as far as rating goes, or I might have sat on the bench my entire freshman year), and only notched a single win in my first year. I got so frustrated I wondered what I was doing wrong.

Eventually I just focused on the short gains and the cliched "take what they give me" instead of forcing seam routes and post routes, and suddenly I felt much more in control of the offense. I knew WHEN to take my shots deep (which may only happen 4 or 5 times a game now), and that changed the entire experience for me.

Teal and I played a game last night with NIU vs...somebody. North Texas perhaps LOL

It was staggering how much we've both obviously learned since we played on day one. Even with crappy teams, we were moving the ball very well, but making just enough plays to really force the other guy to work for it. It all came down to a kick return TD just after he scored a touchdown to take the lead, in retrospect. But when you're talking about a 13-10 game that's won on a last second FG with hardly any turnovers (he might have had one pick, I had one fumble) using crappy teams, it actually feels like efficient ball.

[pigpen81]

Correct,

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

How do I unlock some of the controls?

I am an idiot. "locked" in the menu means that I cannot button map them. I took it as I couldn't use those commands

BTW, Terry, you are the MAN. I love reading your thoughts.

I am quickly getting better at QB on the AA level. My Aztecs thumped Washington State last night and then I played conservative and had redemption against Brady Hoke and Michigan by beating them 23-10 at the Big House

This is playing a fine game of football. Major fun!

[Teal]

It was Hawaii, Terry...boy, you've got some short term memory loss, dont'cha?

Yeah, that game was nip, tuck the whole time. But the game flew by, didn't it? Our last game wasn't nearly that short. I get all happy because of that TD pass in the back of the end zone, how I lofted it just perfectly over your head, how the receiver tiptoed the line...and then you blow it all to hell on a 99 yard kickoff return...

[TCrouch]

Thanks, pigpen

And yeah, Teal. Apparently I do have short term memory loss--probably why I make a good QB

Especially since we were commenting on how cool Hawaii's stadium was. I just remembered the green uniforms...which is even funnier, because they were black with the green numbers. Hell, I hadn't even had many beers last night when we played that! Agreed on the length. It was a very fast game. But that's because we were both efficient at QB, completing short passes and runs and taking our shots where necessary. Certainly runs the clock faster than a bunch of incomplete passes where the clock is constantly stopping. We just managed the game much better on both ends, I think.

But that pass was gorgeous. I thought for sure it was picked when it left your hand. I just couldn't square up on it and it came down like mana from heaven to your wideout. I haven't seen touch make such a big difference from throw to throw before. That's another thing we haven't really touched on--has anybody else notice how many passes get knocked down at the line of scrimmage by D-Linemen, or by LB's if you bullet the pass now? Almost every throw has so many things that go into it--receiver, coverage, velocity, positioning, etc. That pass from Teal from about the 20 yard line to the back of the end zone was a ridiculously well-placed ball. If you put a lot of heat on the ball, you better have a throwing lane. If you let up just a tad and float it, you can get it over the linemen and backers, but then you better make sure the safety isn't in position to charge it. It just got a whole hell of a lot more realistic this season, IMO.

[MizzouRah]

Mine arrived today I believe, I'll see once I get home.

If so, is MIZ ZOU time and I'll have some impressions!

[bdunn13]

Like Terry says, the game is hella hard.... playing QB is difficult. You can't just sit down and play, you have to sit down and think.

I have lost two games in my dynasty already.. one to Boise and the other to UT on a last second FG after a long fluke pass.... I have lost a couple in my RTG.....

When I move the ball, I feel like I have done something... When I get field position after being back up deep... I try to pin them deep and force a 3 and out in order to keep field position. Field position in this game seems bigger than any other FB game I have ever played. I don't get many long drives. When I move the ball 40 yards, I feel like I should get some points as it was work...

[Lancer]

After a string of 6 good games i finally had a stinker. I was playing SJSU on the schedule, who is rated D in all categories, and blew them out 34-10. Reminded me of previous years blowouts which was not fun to play.


But I'll take 1 stinker for every 6 good games.

The CPU really puts together realistic long drives this year. They aren't invincible to stop, but they're hard to stop, and it's a good challenge.

I can say that it's more fun losing in this game than winning like this.

[MizzouRah]

Jumped right in as head coach of Missouri and beat Miami U 30-3, this was on AA defaults, 8 minute quarters, just like I played NCAA 11 with.

The game really feels like college even more this year.. although I want the crowd to really get loud, they seem a bit quiet to me. Love how the band now plays in between plays!

Anyone know why after a TD, I don't get the blast of the cannon like I see in the IGN review? I get the band sometimes?

Gameplay is definitely much tougher and I can really tell who I'm playing and who is on the field, love the new tackling and how much harder it is to pass - I threw 2 INT's on out patterns that used to be fairly high completion passes. Kickoffs and punt reuturns are much better too as is the running game.

It's only game one, but thus far I'm impressed.

I play #25 Arizona St. on the road next week, so I'll see just how tough this game really is.

[MizzouRah]

Ok, I sound like a kid, but this is bugging me.

Anyone with the game, do me a favor and play a game with Mizzou until you score a TD and tell me if they do the cutscene with the ROTC guys shooting off the cannon.

It's not happening in my games, I get a cutscene of the band or nothing. Granted, I've only played 1 dynasty game and two games against my neighbor.

This is the x360 verison - the IGN reviewer showed a clip of it, but he was reviewing the ps3 verison.

[Danimal]

Terry you're killing me with your messages. Away on business all week and when I get back I am probably going to get my ass handed to me by you in online games now.

Ugh.

[DookieMowf]

I cut my sacks down to 3 yesterday.

[TCrouch]

Nice, Dookie!

And Dan, I wouldn't be so sure. The servers were killing Teal last night, so we couldn't get in any game despite like 15 attempts, but I certainly regressed. I played a game as my RTG QB against Stanford, and then our Online Dynasty game as the OC of Vanderbilt against Ole Miss.

I threw like 6 INT in those two games combined.

I ignored every piece of advice I've handed out--started rolling out, forcing throws, audibling and relying on slants and deep tosses. Lost my Vandy game 28-21, and got annihilated by Stanford 38-7. I was laughing with Teal about how I should follow my own advice, because I couldn't do a thing right in the passing game last night.

I've had very few games where I just feel dominant. Even when I FEEL dominant, I look at the scoreboard and more often than not it's a 10 point (or less) differential!

[sportdan30]

Mizzou,

It's funny because it seems like there are a lot more cut scenes on the 360 version compared to the PS3 version. Especially after touchdowns. I am returning my PS3 rental today, but perhaps I'll check for you this evening on your inquiry.

I will say after extensive use with both versions, while the 360 is definitely the better looking of the two versions, the PS3 plays smoother. It just seems a bit more responsive.

[MizzouRah]

Mizzou,

It's funny because it seems like there are a lot more cut scenes on the 360 version compared to the PS3 version. Especially after touchdowns. I am returning my PS3 rental today, but perhaps I'll check for you this evening on your inquiry.

I will say after extensive use with both versions, while the 360 is definitely the better looking of the two versions, the PS3 plays smoother. It just seems a bit more responsive.

Would appreciate it if you get a chance. Just play on varsity and throw a bomb to TJ Moe.

[ScoopBrady]

I have a very limited sample size but so far two things that concern me are:

1. It is too easy to pass to the middle of the field. It seems as if improving the coverage on the flats has really opened up the middle of the field.

2. Scoring seems to happen with more regularity late in the game. Feels weird to hold a team down for 3 quarters and then all of a sudden they start scoring easily.

Other than that I am definitely enjoying the game. There are moments when the running game feels very realistic and it really draws you in. Good stuff.

[Inuyasha]

Picked this up and damn this game is hard. I'm doing rtg and having a hard time. I even wanted to go down a skill level but found I was playing on Varsity!

Toon is right about RTG - fun and addictive. My son and I created all the elementary schools in the area with correct colors names.

Btw. One guy from the south who posted here used the word hella. WTF isn't that a bay area word? I guess it's gone national? Credit Lincecum?

[bdunn13]

Btw. One guy from the south who posted here used the word hella. WTF isn't that a bay area word? I guess it's gone national? Credit Lincecum?

Don't know. I could easily give the word up as long as I can keep yall.

Dawgs or Die,
BD

[dbdynsty25]

Picked this up and damn this game is hard. I'm doing rtg and having a hard time. I even wanted to go down a skill level but found I was playing on Varsity!

Toon is right about RTG - fun and addictive. My son and I created all the elementary schools in the area with correct colors names.

Btw. One guy from the south who posted here used the word hella. WTF isn't that a bay area word? I guess it's gone national? Credit Lincecum?

Thankfully it isn't national...just lame. Lol. Norcal sucks.

[Inuyasha]

Picked this up and damn this game is hard. I'm doing rtg and having a hard time. I even wanted to go down a skill level but found I was playing on Varsity!

Toon is right about RTG - fun and addictive. My son and I created all the elementary schools in the area with correct colors names.

Btw. One guy from the south who posted here used the word hella. WTF isn't that a bay area word? I guess it's gone national? Credit Lincecum?

Thankfully it isn't national...just lame. Lol. Norcal sucks.

Carmagadeon

[Inuyasha]

My kid is too young to understand football but she loves the mascot mash-ups.

That is how my son learned football when he was 5/6, thru mascot mashup in NCAA 10/11.

[Aristo]

I have a very limited sample size but so far two things that concern me are:

1. It is too easy to pass to the middle of the field. It seems as if improving the coverage on the flats has really opened up the middle of the field.

2. Scoring seems to happen with more regularity late in the game. Feels weird to hold a team down for 3 quarters and then all of a sudden they start scoring easily.

Other than that I am definitely enjoying the game. There are moments when the running game feels very realistic and it really draws you in. Good stuff.

Are you playing on default All-American? Because the middle of the field is still pretty hard for me. It's definitely much harder than last year, when you could pile up yards throwing to your #3 and #4 receivers.

[GameSeven]

Anyone with the game, do me a favor and play a game with Mizzou until you score a TD and tell me if they do the cutscene with the ROTC guys shooting off the cannon.

I just played part of a game for you Mizz, and the second TD I scored, a 40 yard passing TD, the cannon went off. Not the first time though which was a punch in from the 1.

Edit: Ended up scoring about 7... saw the cannon that one time

[TCrouch]

The middle of the field is definitely the simplest spots to pick up your yardage, so I agree with Scoop there.

However, it's also the easiest part of the field to throw an interception in, as my 36 picks in just over 2 seasons as a RTG QB can attest to. I think it's almost perfectly balanced, personally. If I can diagnose a defense and know where the zones are, or if they're in man to man and know my guy is going to make his break, I can complete passes easier over the middle than down the sidelines or in the flats. But if I get pressured and have to try to force something a hair before I wanted to, or just rush something, then it's a nightmare.

I think it's a very strong balance there, personally. But I can see a better player than me having zero issues, so I can't say that it couldn't possibly have an issue there.

[MizzouRah]

Anyone with the game, do me a favor and play a game with Mizzou until you score a TD and tell me if they do the cutscene with the ROTC guys shooting off the cannon.

I just played part of a game for you Mizz, and the second TD I scored, a 40 yard passing TD, the cannon went off. Not the first time though which was a punch in from the 1.

Edit: Ended up scoring about 7... saw the cannon that one time

Thank you kind sir! I guess they have it so it only goes off everyone once in awhile.. that's lame!

[Aristo]

The middle of the field is definitely the simplest spots to pick up your yardage, so I agree with Scoop there.

However, it's also the easiest part of the field to throw an interception in, as my 36 picks in just over 2 seasons as a RTG QB can attest to. I think it's almost perfectly balanced, personally. If I can diagnose a defense and know where the zones are, or if they're in man to man and know my guy is going to make his break, I can complete passes easier over the middle than down the sidelines or in the flats. But if I get pressured and have to try to force something a hair before I wanted to, or just rush something, then it's a nightmare.

I think it's a very strong balance there, personally. But I can see a better player than me having zero issues, so I can't say that it couldn't possibly have an issue there.

I can see that. I'll also say that I've had more luck lobbing up long passes down the sidelines than I had last year. But the CPU is much more likely to jump up and nab it, too. The passing game does seem well balanced.

Play action actually works this year, too. It's not an automatic sack, and if you run the ball a few times, you will catch a safety cheating.

I think the next thing I should work in is pump faking. I have never really done it much, but I bet it will help create some separation.