The Ladder 2012 Season Thread

[chesapeake]

Very tough game at Purdue this week. My team doesn't tackle well, so I struggled mightily to stop the run. I had one play where the opposing back broke 3 tackles in the backfield. With a 5 point lead, I went for it on 4th and 1 with about 1:30 left on his 40. I made it and was able to kill off the game from there. My D was pretty tired at that point, and I'm not sure I could have stopped him if I had punted there.

[Kodos]

Teams have been running all over me. I wonder if the slider adjustment opened things too much for the CPU run game.

But then, my defense is nothing but a bunch of bums.

[MacroGuru]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Teams have been running all over me. I wonder if the slider adjustment opened things too much for the CPU run game.

But then, my defense is nothing but a bunch of bums.

They always have been able to run all over on me, but last week it was crazy...I would have 3 guys on the running back and they would all fall off or bounce off.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Teams have been running all over me. I wonder if the slider adjustment opened things too much for the CPU run game.

But then, my defense is nothing but a bunch of bums.

You adjusted blocking but turned down RB skill, right? It feels like the reverse happened.

[cartman]

Yeah, I just got lit up on the ground by Colorado State. Their guy went "LT against UTEP" on me, racking up 325 yards rushing. I didn't help my cause either, with my starting QB throwing 4 first half picks and the backing adding on two more in the second half.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

You adjusted blocking but turned down RB skill, right? It feels like the reverse happened.

Yes. I adjusted RB skill down one click, and blocking up two clicks. Maybe next week I should adjust blocking back down a click?

I wonder if there is a chance that this is one of the classic EA sports sliders-reversed problems, and that turning down RB skill actually makes them run better?

[MacroGuru]

$#*@

Despite JUCO RB Ingram rushing for 332 yds and 3 TDs we still lost this game, 41-29.

I can't stop crap...hopefully the 4* OLB I got to commit will help next season as well as other talent I hope to get.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Yes. I adjusted RB skill down one click, and blocking up two clicks. Maybe next week I should adjusted blocking back down a click?

I wonder if there is a chance that this is one of the classic EA sports sliders-reversed problems, and that turning down RB skill actually makes them run better?

Not sure. In my game against Fresno State yesterday, I did not have nearly the same problem with tackling, but I also have not checked their RB skill. Blocking hasn't been an issue, I can get to the RB, I just couldn't tackle him once there against Army (and apparently Rice against Colorado State).

[cartman]

Yeah, in my game against Army their RB had a couple of long runs where he couldn't be tackled.

[Eaglesfan27]

I couldn't figure out how to stop Cincinnati's offense in the 1st half, but our offense was even hotter. In the 2nd half, we ran the ball more and our offense slowed down, but our defense stepped up with a pick 6 and we pulled away for a 52-24 win. We are all set to advance.

[Kodos]

Week 8 Results

USF 34, Fresno State 14
Duke 21, Purdue 16
Kansas 61, Missouri 40
USC 52, Cincinnati 24
Indiana 45, Marshall 29
Western Michigan 41, Buffalo 29
Colorado State 63, Rice 28

[Kodos]

Here's the slate for Week 9.

Colorado (2-3) at #3 USC (5-0)
Colorado State (6-0) at #19 USF (4-1)
Minnesota (2-3) at #20 Duke (5-0)
#22 Kansas (5-0) at Army (1-3)
Iowa State (2-3) at Rice (4-3)
Indiana (3-2) at North Texas (3-2)
Idaho (2-2) at Buffalo (1-4)

[Eaglesfan27]

Heads up: I am on a cruise from March 30th to April 7th. I am expecting I will miss a week as a result.

[Kodos]

Thanks for the heads up. Depending how things fall, we can try to minimize the damage.

[gstelmack]

Well, we nipped Colorado State, but I'd've been ticked if we'd lost. Two WTF pick-6s thrown by us in the first half, one of which was a super-jumping LB one-handed stickum grab, and he somehow outran the whole team. Ugh, it's one of the pictures that was grabbed for the story. The other I shouldn't have thrown, but still shocked the defender got the pick AND ran it back.

We got our offense rolling in the second half, especially late. We did finally give up one solid TD drive to CSU, but got the last score to win it.

[chesapeake]

We're still struggling to tackle individually, but they were kind enough to give me the ball 3 times in their own end. It is a lot easier to call defenses when you have a comfortable lead on your opponent.

[Eaglesfan27]

We started out very slow against Colorado, and they took a 17-14 lead early in the 3rd. However, our team clicked in the 2nd half. We won 42-17.

[cartman]

Getting ready to start my game. Just got home from a week long trip.

[cartman]

Couldn't stop the Iowa State RB. He got 310 yards on the ground. But my offense was clicking, and the defense got a couple of key turnovers, and we won 45-31.

[Kodos]

Week 9 Results

USF 35, Colorado State 31
Duke 34, Minnesota 3
Kansas 45, Army 31
USC 42, Colorado 17
Indiana 63, North Texas 28
Idaho 55, Buffalo 8
Rice 48, Iowa State 31

[Kodos]

Here is the list of games for Week 10.

#19 Rutgers at #4 USC (6-0)
Yale (3-4) at #15 USF (5-1)
#14 Duke (6-0) at Northern Illinois (1-6)
Colorado State (6-1) at #18 Kansas (6-0)
Indiana (4-2) at Idaho (3-2)
Louisiana Tech (1-4) at Buffalo (1-5)

[Kodos]

Adjusted sliders starting in Week 10:
I knocked CPU run blocking down one notch (from 60 to 55) this week to try to slow down the super running attack.

All-American
Time: 8 min.
Game Speed: Slow
Speed Threshold: 25

Offense (HUM/CPU)
QB Acc. 15/25
Pass Block 50/50
WR Catch 45/45
RB Ability 45/80
Run Block 20/6055

Defense
Pass Coverage 40/50
Pass Rush 25/15
INT 25/30
Rush Defense 10/55
Tackling 15/15

Special Teams
FG Power 45/45
FG Acc. 30/35
Punt Power 50/50
Punt Acc. 40/40
Kickoff Power 50/50

[MacroGuru]

Solid game by UB, we won for our 2nd win ever and it was accomplished from all areas the field. The most complete game we have ever played.

That coupled with a 2 star and 1 star signing and a bunch of 3 / 4 star recruits thinking about us helped buoy my spirits.

[gstelmack]

We just dominated Yale. Another early pick by a super-jumping LB, but we settled down after that.

[Kodos]

I should be able to get my game in tonight.

[chesapeake]

I've had my in-laws in town and I have my regularly scheduled game night with some friends tonight. I expect to get my game in tomorrow. Sorry for the delay.

[Kodos]

Thanks for the heads up.

[Eaglesfan27]

I also need an extension if possible. I'm running around like crazy getting ready for the cruise, but I'll get up early and get the game in before work tomorrow morning if I can't find time to play it tonight.

[Eaglesfan27]

Never mind. Playing Rutgers now.

[Eaglesfan27]

Rutgers was our biggest challenge of the year, and they held tough with their very strong running game into the 4th quarter. However, a big interception by their QB led to our offense marching down the field for a 14 point momentum change. From there, they were down 35-24 and had to pass a lot in the 4th, and our defense played much better against their pass than their run. We won 42-24.

[Kodos]

EF27 - So when do you get back from your trip?

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Kodos

EF27 - So when do you get back from your trip?

Saturday, April 7th. If we advance by 5, I might be able to get my game in against Kent State when I get home tonight from work before I leave.

[Kodos]

I'll try to advance us as soon as Chesapeake gives me the okay.

[Eaglesfan27]

Set my recruiting assistance to auto so a missed week shouldn't hurt me in that regard. Hopefully, the simulated engine takes care of Kent State for us. Have a good week everyone!

[chesapeake]

What a disaster. Sacked 6 times, hurried 4 or 5 more and then, when I could actually get the ball out, my guys had 5 drops. I still had a shot to win at the end, but their safety made an amazing play to make up a huge amount of ground to get a pick and then broke 3 tackles to score a TD. Boo!

[Kodos]

Some of the interceptions the CPU makes are hard to swallow.

Will try to advance us at lunch.

[chesapeake]

The pick I could handle. Returning it for a TD was ridiculous. I scored a TD of my own 2 plays later to trim it back to 5, but I screwed up the onsides kick and never got the ball back.

[Kodos]

Week 10 Results

NIU 33, Duke 28
USF 38, Yale 13
Kansas 49, Colorado State 28
USC 42, Rutgers 24
Indiana 35, Idaho 28
Buffalo 55, Louisiana Tech 37

[Kodos]

Here is the schedule as we enter the final third of the season.

Kent State (3-4) at #3 USC (7-0)
Iowa State (3-4) at #9 USF (6-1)
#11 Kansas (7-0) at Kentucky (3-5)
Duke (6-1) at Tulsa (6-2)
Indiana (5-2) at Memphis (1-6)
Rice (5-3) at Fresno State (5-2)
Buffalo (2-5) at North Texas (4-3)

[Kodos]

Coaches Poll

Rank	Prev	TeamName	Wins	Losses	FPV	Points
1	2	Texas Tech	9	0	36	1500
2	6	Penn State	7	0	23	1293
3	4	USC		7	0	1	1284
4	5	Nebraska	7	1	0	1210
5	10	Virginia Tech	8	0	1	1178
6	1	Miami Univ	7	1	0	976
7	11	Utah		6	2	0	974
8	13	TCU		8	1	0	899
9	15	South Florida	6	1	0	817
10	16	Florida State	5	3	0	758
11	18	Kansas		7	0	0	747
12	9	Auburn		8	2	0	713
13	7	Oklahoma	4	3	0	705
14	8	Wisconsin	6	2	0	680
15	20	Pittsburgh	5	4	0	637
16	3	Oklahoma State	6	1	0	564
17	12	Washington	5	2	0	561
18	19	Rutgers		6	1	0	494
19	30	Michigan	4	4	0	494
20	24	Stanford	5	3	0	417
21	25	Tennessee	7	1	0	395
22	34	LSU		4	4	0	359
23	26	Texas		5	3	0	327
24	27	Georgia		6	2	0	293
25	35	West Virginia	5	3	0	255

[cartman]

Well, that game sucked. I had another RB get over 300 yards against me, and the CPU ran back two fumbles for TDs, one of them 100 yards, and the other on my first play of OT.

[MacroGuru]

Yeah...I don't know what happened from last week to this week. I lost Ingram for the game in the 1st qtr, multiple turnovers and a shitty North Texas team stomped me...

[gstelmack]

This was the best-rated AI defense I faced, and it showed. We did a decent job slowing their offense, only one WTF run where we had the RB wrapped up and he somehow squirted out for a 30 yard TD run, but we could not consistently move the ball ourselves. Thanks to a bad option pitch by their QB that hit one of my linemen in the back and another of my linemen picked up and ran 56 yards for a TD, we pulled out the win.

[Kodos]

Week 11 Results

EF27 breathes a sigh after USC wins in his absence.

Kansas 43, Kentucky 40
USC 23, Kent State 3
USF 24, Iowa State 14
Duke 24, Tulsa 16
Indiana 34, Memphis 27
North Texas 66, Buffalo 17
Fresno State 58, Rice 45

[Kodos]

#4 USC (8-0) at Wake Forest
#9 USF (7-1) at ECU (2-6)
Fresno State (6-2) at #10 Kansas (8-0)
Colorado (3-5) at Duke (7-1)
Indiana (6-2) at Louisiana Tech (2-5)
Buffalo (2-6) at Memphis (1-7)

[gstelmack]

My defense just smothered ECU, scoring a few TDs for me in the process. Early on they stuffed me twice on the goalline, but we got rolling after that. I lost 100 sportsmanship points because, with me leading 55-0 and second stringers in late in the 4th, they decided to score a TD to break the shutout. So once I recovered the onsides kick, I threw one up in the endzone. Incomplete, but the game decided that wasn't nice of me. Tough.

[chesapeake]

Is anyone else still having ridiculous numbers of missed tackles? I started counting in the 3rd quarter and had more than 20 before the quarter ended. It was at the point where if I didn't have at least 2 guys making a tackle on either the RB or the QB, my opponent just kept going. After giving up 270 rushing yards, I finally got a couple of solo tackles to stop a late drive and I was able to score to win by 1 point.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by chesapeake

Is anyone else still having ridiculous numbers of missed tackles? I started counting in the 3rd quarter and had more than 20 before the quarter ended. It was at the point where if I didn't have at least 2 guys making a tackle on either the RB or the QB, my opponent just kept going. After giving up 270 rushing yards, I finally got a couple of solo tackles to stop a late drive and I was able to score to win by 1 point.

Yes, I don't think the blocking / ball carrier adjustments were the key here. We have the CPU and Human tackling numbers pretty low in the sliders. One issue with sliders in this game is they keep releasing tuning updates to gameplay that work against whatever slider settings you have. So if they made it easier for ball carriers to break tackles in one of those, then we need to update the sliders for that to compensate.

[Kodos]

I've had troubles with missed tackles too. And when they miss a tackle, that often means "to the house!" because my guys rarely if ever track down an opponent from behind.

I will up the human tackling a bit. Does anyone think we should up computer tackling too? I think my RB has a higher YPC than he should, given his ratings.

[gstelmack]

I am okay with upping the CPU tackling some as well. I don't break very many tackles, but the ones I do often seem weird.