NCAA 2006 impressions thread

[Leebo33]

Honestly, in real life, most OTs do stay at the line in the UP position on all third down pass plays. VC goofed in 2k4 by having them do it for most (I can't remember if it was actually all) pass plays.

This reminds me of the time when I was at a Steelers game vs. the Bengals and correctly called run or pass on every play that I could see the Steelers' right tackle Jamain Stephens. We used to sit behind the visitors bench at the 40 yard line so I had a good view of him on a lot of plays. He would have his fingers touching the ground on running plays and leave them an inch or two off the ground on passing plays. He would tip the play every time even on first and 10.

I don't recall the tipoff in 2K4 being on all plays. If so, I'm glad I forgot about that because 2K4 is probably my favorite football game ever (and I believe won the Reader's Polls for Game of the Year here and OS as well). I remember there was also a problem with the game where you could run a dive play out of 3 wide out sets and never be stopped. Individual plays would be stopped for no yardage so it didn't ruin the game if you just limited yourself to running it occassionally, but you were guaranteed of getting 10 yards in 4 downs.

Back to topic, I like NCAA 06 a lot. I kind of agree with the people complaing about the long passes though. I don't have nearly the success as some, but the risk/reward for short and long passes is still off a bit. Otherwise, I think the game is fantastic.

[pk500]

Honestly, in real life, most OTs do stay at the line in the UP position on all third down pass plays. VC goofed in 2k4 by having them do it for most (I can't remember if it was actually all) pass plays.

Exactly. It was all pass plays.

Here's an example. I'm playing against Pittsburgh on a second-and-1, with Bettis in the backfield. I figure the CPU will hand off the ball to Bettis to get the first down, but as soon as I saw the two offensive tackles in the up position, I knew that the CPU was going to take the "free down" on 2nd-and-1 and pass.

It was not a "good thing" for me: It was a game-killer, almost like having the defensive coordinator in the CPU team's huddle every play.

You're right about 2K5, though. The problem was fixed. Too bad the DB AI was so crummy!

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

Blitzing may make your defense more successful in those situations, but I'm interesting in realistic football, too. I want to call Prevent in Prevent situations and have it work, not figure out some arbitrary rock-paper-scissors playcalling scheme that doesn't mimic real football.

Well, Bad's opponent wasn't exactly playing realistic football, either, unless this occurred very late in the game:

Last night I got my first taste of helplessness with this game when a guy completed 3 straight hail marys for tds against me. He had 4th and 27 on his own 20 and called hail mary.

Throwing a Hail Mary on fourth-and-27 on your 20 unless there's very little time left in the game? Yeah, that's realistic football.

Sometimes you need to pile on some Velveeta of your own to beat the cheese online. It's why I never play random opponents in online football.

Take care,
PK

[Badgun]

Badgun, try blitzing next time. QB's in this game are much less accurate under pressure. I was in the same situation last night with less than 30 seconds to play and a 1-point lead. My opponent had no time outs left and needed to go deep. Running wasn't an option (oh, I crack myself up). I put pressure on the qb and held on to my 1-point lead. Since the deep ball needs time to develop a blitz will usually get through in time.

I did, I tried Nickel - Monster Green and 3-3-5 Middle Blitz which both get real good pressure, but he ran backward and threw it.

[ScoopBrady]

There's an old saying in football. Playing prevent defense only prevents you from winning.

So NCAA teams usually blitz in long yardage situations instead of putting more backs in coverage, right?

There's a difference between playing long yardage situations and prevent defense. You can have a 4-man d-line with 7 db's and have one of the db's rush the qb while still having 6 back in coverage.

[Badgun]

^
bullshit

It is not bullshit. I have played about 30 games now online and offline and throwing the bomb may not be a money play, but they will get completed 75% of the time.

Last night I got my first taste of helplessness with this game when a guy completed 3 straight hail marys for tds against me. He had 4th and 27 on his own 20 and called hail mary. I called Dime prevent because it usually works against the deep ball in every other game. The guy, without hesitation, threw to the guy in the slot and I had two guys on him and I decided I would not intervene and let the CPU make the play. Result? TD. So I get the ball back and put together a decent drive and score and make it 7-7. He gets the ball back and calls Hail Mary on 1st down. I called prevent again and he went back to the same guy. This time I hit the B button and switched to the front guy and tried to swat the ball. Result? TD. So now I'm really feeling helpless, but I'm pissed as well. I get the ball back and call Hail Mary on first down. I just chuck the ball to my fastest receiver. Result? TD. The guy then pauses the game and types up "LUCK". So I type back, "So I guess yours are skill?"

I kick off again and again on first down, he calls hail mary. This time I called Dime - Cover 4 or something like that and the result? TD. After that I just quit. I've taken 45-3 beatings and not quit, but it was obvious this guy wasn't there to play football so I just quit. The only difference between this guy and the rest of the guys that play the game is this guy does it every down while most everyone else will only do it 2 or 3 times a game. I don't blame people for going to it because it is the closest thing to money in the game. Why bother with the short passes that aren't going to get caught anyway when you can go deep and almost guarantee a completion.

So Weaver, tell me how to stop the bomb, my friend.

I had someone try this against me the other night, in the one random game I played. After I picked him off on 3 consecutive hailmary attempts he quit.

So what Defense did you call? It also might matter that the guy was using USC with a 99 rated qb. That's exactly why I refuse to play anyone with USC again. It takes no skill at all to win with them.

[Badgun]

So Weaver, tell me how to stop the bomb, my friend.

Take control of the DB and play defense, it is very easy unless you have terrible hand /eye skills.

If you don't want to control the DB, then blitz. Pressure equals bad throws in this game.

I'm 45...my better joystick days are behind me. I can't even pull off a celebration.

[ScoopBrady]

Take control of the DB and play defense, it is very easy unless you have terrible hand /eye skills.

If you don't want to control the DB, then blitz. Pressure equals bad throws in this game.

I'm 45...my better joystick days are behind me. I can't even pull off a celebration.

Talk to matthewk. He knows of a few good sites you can go to that will help improve your joystick skills.

[Inuyasha]

Throw bombs, the CPU cannot defend deep pass plays. The fly route is gold in this game.

^
bullshit

It is not bullshit. I have played about 30 games now online and offline and throwing the bomb may not be a money play, but they will get completed 75% of the time.

Last night I got my first taste of helplessness with this game when a guy completed 3 straight hail marys for tds against me. He had 4th and 27 on his own 20 and called hail mary. I called Dime prevent because it usually works against the deep ball in every other game. The guy, without hesitation, threw to the guy in the slot and I had two guys on him and I decided I would not intervene and let the CPU make the play. Result? TD. So I get the ball back and put together a decent drive and score and make it 7-7. He gets the ball back and calls Hail Mary on 1st down. I called prevent again and he went back to the same guy. This time I hit the B button and switched to the front guy and tried to swat the ball. Result? TD. So now I'm really feeling helpless, but I'm pissed as well. I get the ball back and call Hail Mary on first down. I just chuck the ball to my fastest receiver. Result? TD. The guy then pauses the game and types up "LUCK". So I type back, "So I guess yours are skill?"

I kick off again and again on first down, he calls hail mary. This time I called Dime - Cover 4 or something like that and the result? TD. After that I just quit. I've taken 45-3 beatings and not quit, but it was obvious this guy wasn't there to play football so I just quit. The only difference between this guy and the rest of the guys that play the game is this guy does it every down while most everyone else will only do it 2 or 3 times a game. I don't blame people for going to it because it is the closest thing to money in the game. Why bother with the short passes that aren't going to get caught anyway when you can go deep and almost guarantee a completion.

So Weaver, tell me how to stop the bomb, my friend.

i had the same problem in the beginning, but i figured it out. when you are on d vs the cpu long pass one vs one, take control of your db, and to swat or int the ball, press the button like a second before the ball will get to the wr. if you do it like the older games and press it right at the time when the ball gets to the wr it'll be too late.

they changed it this year for some reason that you have to press the button earlier than before.

as for the my offense on long passes, they dont work for me at all. they usually get int unless my wr is a stud and has the impact player circle gold

[Brando70]

I am getting killed and a bit frustrated with this game. There is a huge disparity between how well the computer's defense plays and my defense plays. My fuckheads won't do anything unless I immediately switch to the player and make the play myself. Every DB drops passes thrown right at them. Fair enough, but then I watch as every stone-handed CPU LB makes amzing interception after amazing interception.

At first, I passed it off on trying to play with Rice, which is a terrible team. So I played a couple Tulane/Southern Miss games, with me as Tulane. It seemed like a pretty even match. Tulane has a pretty good offense and a very good QB, but you wouldn't f***in know it from this game. I got off to a bad start because of some kicking snafus, so I restarted. For a bit, it was fine, 14-14, I even returned a punt. But I can't get over how quickly LBs are covering space in this game. It's like there's no such thing as separation in this game, unless I'm going over the top, in which case I had some success. I can't go over the middle because someone always gets a hand in there. I've tried bullet passes, lobs, waiting longer, throwing earlier, etc. Finally had to turn off the game in mid play because I was about to break it.

Anyway, I can tell it's a good game, but can't figure out why I am playing so badly -- worse than ever with a football game. I may need to go back to MVP until the frustration goes away.

[Zeppo]

FYI, Tulane/So. Miss is not an even matchup. So. Miss is an overall B, while Tulane is an overall B-. That may not sound like much, but it is quite a disparity, in fact. Even within even overall ratings, there is a lot of variation, so a difference among ovrall ratings, even just one 'notch,' is a pretty healthy difference. So. Miss is B- O, B D, while Tulane is C+ O, B- D. So really, you were playing an O. that is two notches down from the D you were facing.

Were you leading your receivers? I've found it really helps to lead the receivers, even on over the top lobs and drags across the middle. It's not 100% necessary 100% of the time, but it really does help when there is minimal separation.

[Inuyasha]

This is the first game, at least EA game, that I can remember where you have to actually fear the cpu running game. Also, you really have to gameplan on how to stop the cpu's impact players. I am really enjoying it because usually with an ea game, after a week or so, you pretty much know what the cpu will do in most situations.

[Bill_Abner]

This is the first game, at least EA game, that I can remember where you have to actually fear the cpu running game. Also, you really have to gameplan on how to stop the cpu's impact players. I am really enjoying it because usually with an ea game, after a week or so, you pretty much know what the cpu will do in most situations.

I have to fear the running game if the CPU has an impact HB. If they do, I can't stop him. It's truly hilarious at times to see what an impact player, even one who isnt rated all that high like the guy from Ohio University, can do. If the CPU doesnt havre an impact HB they rarely use him, IMO. But the impact guys leap tall buildings, run through 4 guys, and wavw kisses to the crowd on their way to paydirt. Impact WRs are the same. If the impact WR is pulsating, throw it deep to him --it's almost an auto 50 yard completion. I really think there are balance issues in this year's game.

[bkrich83]

So what Defense did you call? It also might matter that the guy was using USC with a 99 rated qb. That's exactly why I refuse to play anyone with USC again. It takes no skill at all to win with them.

I ran Dime Cover 4. Sat back took control of the DB and manually intercepted.

Also the USC bit is bullshit. I play as USC, and I get my ass kicked all the tiem.

[Sully]

So what Defense did you call? It also might matter that the guy was using USC with a 99 rated qb. That's exactly why I refuse to play anyone with USC again. It takes no skill at all to win with them.

I ran Dime Cover 4. Sat back took control of the DB and manually intercepted.

Also the USC bit is bullshit. I play as USC, and I get my ass kicked all the tiem.

Sure does.

[Badgun]

This is the first game, at least EA game, that I can remember where you have to actually fear the cpu running game. Also, you really have to gameplan on how to stop the cpu's impact players. I am really enjoying it because usually with an ea game, after a week or so, you pretty much know what the cpu will do in most situations.

I have to fear the running game if the CPU has an impact HB. If they do, I can't stop him. It's truly hilarious at times to see what an impact player, even one who isnt rated all that high like the guy from Ohio University, can do. If the CPU doesnt havre an impact HB they rarely use him, IMO. But the impact guys leap tall buildings, run through 4 guys, and wavw kisses to the crowd on their way to paydirt. Impact WRs are the same. If the impact WR is pulsating, throw it deep to him --it's almost an auto 50 yard completion. I really think there are balance issues in this year's game.

You are dead on, Bill. I use FSU and I have Leon Washington, an impact player, at halfback. Sometimes I feel guilty for what I can do with him in or out of the zone. I actually run the ball on 3rd and 10 a lot and it works.

Actually, I think Leon Washington might be the toughest running back in the game. I have had no trouble bringing down Peterson or Bush, but I have seen Washington carry 4 guys 10 yards and then break free and run for a td. I have had 355 yards rushing in one game with Washington online. But you are correct...the impact player crap is way overdone and yet another EA gimmick that probably plays into the hands of the cheesers more than anything else.

Sure, you can have fun with the game, but these balance issues with impact players and the bomb being almost a money play make this game laughable as a college football simulation.

[Danimal]

Take control of the DB and play defense, it is very easy unless you have terrible hand /eye skills.

If you don't want to control the DB, then blitz. Pressure equals bad throws in this game.

I'm 45...my better joystick days are behind me. I can't even pull off a celebration.

I'm 39 my friend, I am telling you, you can do it.

Try this next time you are caught in 1 on 1 coverage and the ball is coming in. Take your hand off the left analog stick, time it just right and hit B to switch to the defender, and then Y. After doing this a doizen times or so You will be swatting and picking off passes.

[Bill_Abner]

You are dead on, Bill.

Actually I think I am heavily in the minority. Everyone seems to be totally loving this game and I'm jealous as all hell because I want to be one of them! If the sliders actually worked I'd be a lot happier. Seriously, when I have a tackle slider set at 90-friggin'-9, I expect a good tackler to take down anyone that he drills square up. He should rarely miss with the slider that high, right? I think that slider is just for show. I really do. I've played with tackling at 0% and at 99% and I cannot tell one bit of difference. Between that, the QB stats, the poor as hell top 25 ranking AI, the dropped passes (there are still way too many, even with 99% slider catching; another apparantly useless slidier), I am really at the frustration boil point.

I am so sick of slider tweaking. I just want to sit down and play the damn game but every single game I play I see something that raises the Red Flag of BS. One game my HB runs for 200 yards, the next my QB can't miss, the next game the CPU goes 9/25 for 300 yards because I cannot defend the long ball. The next game my impact WR drops 6 passes.

I just want one game, just one, that plays like your run of the mill football game. A game where I run for around 100 yards, throw for around 200, see 2-3 drops total, and the CPU does about the same and neither of us score 30 points. I just want one of those games. Other people are seeing them, but I sure ain't. Every game I play is a shootout. I'd kill for one 21-17 game.

Sorry about the ranting guys. Whew, I do feel better though.

[MizzouRah]

My scores have been a tad high, but my schedule was soft at the beginning of the season. Just lost 17-7 to Oklahoma St. in my last game. It was nice to see a good defensive game.

[Inuyasha]

Ya the impact players can get out of hand in certain situations. One of the first impressions I put in this topic was how I had a impact player RB and I kept running and running him for at least 9-10 yards. He didnt' even get tired where the cpu would sub him out. He was ON FIRE ala Nba Jam. But this is toned down alot on Heisman.

Another gripe I have, it takes me at least 1 hour to play 1 game with 7 min qtrs. 5 min at least 50 some minutes.

[Badgun]

Ya the impact players can get out of hand in certain situations. One of the first impressions I put in this topic was how I had a impact player RB and I kept running and running him for at least 9-10 yards. He didnt' even get tired where the cpu would sub him out. He was ON FIRE ala Nba Jam. But this is toned down alot on Heisman.

Another gripe I have, it takes me at least 1 hour to play 1 game with 7 min qtrs. 5 min at least 50 some minutes.

LOL, that's what a friend of mine told me today. He said EA should go ahead and put flames on the ball when the qb is in the zone. The more I think of that impact player crap, the more I expect some radio dj voice to yell out "HE'S ON FIRE"!

[Sport73]

Can someone help me out?

I'm apparently too good for Varsity, but too bad for All-American.

My efforts on All-American left me with consistent ass-whoopings and constant interceptions, so I stepped down to Varsity. I've since won 5 straight against decent team with 2 utter BLOW outs (80+ to 7!).

Should I adjust sliders to make Varsity more difficult, or step up to All-American again (are there adjustments to give me a little more of an edge?)

Thanks in advance.

PS> Auburn is my team, and I'm a Heisman Mode QB.

[Badgun]

You are dead on, Bill.

Actually I think I am heavily in the minority. Everyone seems to be totally loving this game

Yeah, if you have a complaint, especially at OS, you're usually going to get told that:

A. You don't know how to play defense.
B. I'm not seeing anything like that, my game plays great.
C. You need to be using Jistics sliders
D. You need to be on Heisman
E. You need to manual catch
F. you need to go somewhere else and complain, the game is great.

I'm personally planning on abandoning online play with the exception of the DSP league, but I've already seen how online play can ruin the fun of the dynasty. I've got my sliders set pretty well and I'm just going to try and enjoy my franchise and pretend like I never saw what I saw online.

[Badgun]

Can someone help me out?

I'm apparently too good for Varsity, but too bad for All-American.

My efforts on All-American left me with consistent ass-whoopings and constant interceptions, so I stepped down to Varsity. I've since won 5 straight against decent team with 2 utter BLOW outs (80+ to 7!).

Should I adjust sliders to make Varsity more difficult, or step up to All-American again (are there adjustments to give me a little more of an edge?)

Thanks in advance.

PS> Auburn is my team, and I'm a Heisman Mode QB.

No, you have to play on AA. Even I am too good for Varsity.

Here's what I did. I turned the Human and CPU Passing ACC sliders up to 65%. Turned the Pass Catching slider up to 75%. Then I turned the human running ability and blocking slider down to 45%, but I left the CPU at default. If you find the CPU is running all over you, you might want to turn it down to 45% as well.

I turned INTs down to 10%.

I turned all penalties up to 100%. I started with 80% but still never saw any.

THen I started my Florida St. dynasty against Miami. THey scored first, but I tied it soon after. Then they scored again, but I countered with two straight TDs and I was up by 7. I was down 34-24 with 50 seconds remaining and completed a long pass, broked the tackle and scored. Recovered the onside kick, threw a couple of passes and kicked a field goal to tie and the end of regulation. IN ovetime, Miami shutdown my running game and I hit the upright and missed a FG attempt. Miami then ran three plays down to the 15 and kicked the game winner and won 37-34. I had great stats and the game played really well, but Miami only ran the ball 11 times. Other than that, I thought the game was great.

Again, I don't know your abilites, but I believe my 9 year old could win on Varsity. Bump it up on AA and if nothing else boost those human Pass and catch sliders if you don't do anything else.

[bkrich83]

You are dead on, Bill.

Actually I think I am heavily in the minority. Everyone seems to be totally loving this game

Yeah, if you have a complaint, especially at OS, you're usually going to get told that:

A. You don't know how to play defense.
B. I'm not seeing anything like that, my game plays great.
C. You need to be using Jistics sliders
D. You need to be on Heisman
E. You need to manual catch
F. you need to go somewhere else and complain, the game is great.

I'm personally planning on abandoning online play with the exception of the DSP league, but I've already seen how online play can ruin the fun of the dynasty. I've got my sliders set pretty well and I'm just going to try and enjoy my franchise and pretend like I never saw what I saw online.

I don't know about all those. But in my last 6 online game my opponents have thrown several deep passes, and have completed a grand total of 4..

I have completed 1 long ball in those games, and that was on a play where my opponent blitzed the house and I got a good WR on a SS.

As far as the drops and that stuff. I don't know what to tell you. In my RFTH, with Texas A&M, Reggie McNeal is completing 63% of his passes. Most of them are on curls, ins, digs, outs, slants and screen. I've hit the occasional post and wheel routes. For me the key is, if I see man coverage, to try to take advantege of the best matchup, and watch out for safety help over the top. If it's zone anticipate when the WR will hit the hole in the zone and deliver the ball on time.

My biggest thing was to tone down the run game in Dynasty play.

My online games have all been great so far. But I have only played OS/DSP people.