NCAA College Football 2004 Impressions [Archive]

TroyF

07-14-2003, 11:53 PM

Originally posted by Scholes
I got the game tonight as well... beat Mizzou 17-7 with the Huskers in my first game.

Simming a dynasty right now to check out recruiting.

The thing that stuck out in my mind right away is how these guys can JUMP. DB's and WR's leap, well, like real college athletes to get to balls. Good addition.

And the option pass actually works now.

Two of my QB's got hurt in that first game... probably because I run so much option.

The Sports Illustrated thing is cool too. Preseason polls, Preseason All-Americans, Heisman Predictions... etc. Should be even better with real names.

Exactly right on the last part. I'll sim through 5 seasons or so to get all of the "real" players out of the system. I have no desire to play with the real guys anyway. I'll probably just turn coaching contracts off. I know when I deserve to be fired. :)

TroyF

Godzilla Blitz

07-14-2003, 11:54 PM

There really isn't a mid-game save feature yet? Not even at the half? Doesn't anyone on the development team have a baby?

Madden has had one for years. I wonder why this is hard to do with NCAA? Maybe it has something to do with the larger number of games on a given weekend?

sabotai

07-14-2003, 11:59 PM

How many years can you play for in dynasty mode?

korme

07-15-2003, 01:01 AM

i want this game

::must resist urge to wake up dad at 2 AM desperately to fix ps2::

mckerney

07-15-2003, 01:02 AM

That does kinda suck Shorty, but don't you have cash to go out and buy an X-Box?

korme

07-15-2003, 01:08 AM

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

mckerney

07-15-2003, 01:13 AM

That really sucks then. I've thankfully got a decent amount of cash right now thanks to the liquor store paychecks. Goodtimes.

After work tomorrow I'm gonna have to make another check at local stores to see if anyone has it on the shelves yet.

Neuqua

07-15-2003, 01:18 AM

Shorty, you plan on buying an XBox or just going to get your PS2 fixed?

mckerney

07-15-2003, 01:39 AM

I've been telling him to just buy an X-Box, but he probably won't listen.

Celeval

07-15-2003, 01:55 AM

I'm loving it so far. Played one game (5mQ on Varsity - nice and easy) and liked the feel of the controls. Punt/Kick returning has improved - now when I get stopped for a yard or two on a gain, it feels earned by the D rather than "why the hell didn't my guys block him". The new animations for play-action fakes will take some getting used to - if it works, it almost feels like you just ran a flea-flicker or something from the way control shifts. Recruiting - a 4-star GT team coming off an 8-5 (6-2) simmed season; I was able to recruit one 5-star - a HB from Florida who will probably start right away (pitched him on Playing Time). I ended up with the #24 ranked class (1-6-6-2-0), while UGA had #23 (2-4-4-5-4). Of my 15 recruits, 8 were from GA... I started by pitching location on all of those, and only a couple bit; had to switch elsewhere to keep some other interest. As a side note, I got at least one late signing who signed despite pitching something he didn't care about.

I love the Sports Illustrated issues - not just the covers, but each 'story' has a pic to go along with it.

More impressions after I've played for a while.

illinifan999

07-15-2003, 06:31 AM

Originally posted by sabotai
How many years can you play for in dynasty mode?

60.

Bee

07-15-2003, 08:16 AM

I think we definitely need more first impressions. :D

Cards4ever

07-15-2003, 08:38 AM

I'm sure we'll get plenty in the next few days Bee!

Butter

07-15-2003, 08:38 AM

I hope my local EB's got it today.

*crosses fingers*

Bee

07-15-2003, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by Cards4ever
I'm sure we'll get plenty in the next few days Bee!

I don't know...they might be too busy to post. ;)

Radii

07-15-2003, 08:46 AM

"I ended up with the #24 ranked class (1-6-6-2-0), while UGA had #23 (2-4-4-5-4)."

What do the numbers mean in parenthesis for the class rankings?

ice4277

07-15-2003, 08:49 AM

I'm thinking they mean the number of stars each recruit has, five-star down to one-star, and how many each team got.

Rich1033

07-15-2003, 08:54 AM

Originally posted by Radii
"I ended up with the #24 ranked class (1-6-6-2-0), while UGA had #23 (2-4-4-5-4)."

What do the numbers mean in parenthesis for the class rankings?

I dont have the game yet(FedEx tracking said the game went to the delivery truck and is headed to my house as of 8:42 am), but based on last years game those numbers should mean how the recruits are rated. For example, the first number would be the number of 5 star players recruited, the second would be for 4 stars players, and so on.

Rich1033

07-15-2003, 08:59 AM

Seems Ice beat me to it.

Anyways I hope you guys are happy. I was fully into playing Tiger Woods 2003 before I read this thread, now I am waiting for a FedEx truck. Plus I am supposed to write my letter of intent to be promoted to supervisor by 10 pm tonight. I have no idea how I will get that done.

Balldog

07-15-2003, 09:14 AM

My game is sitting at home on my porch for the next 5.5 hours......got to quit looking at the clock.

mrsimperless

07-15-2003, 09:25 AM

Well, I had anticipated not getting much sleep last night, but things didn't work out as planned. Perhaps tonight will be my marathon. Here are my impressions from the little time I did manage to spend with the game yesterday.

I started off and created a dynasty with IU. The first thing I noticed were the SI covers that are available from the start of the season. Some may not care about this feature, but I think it is the greatest addition to the game. It helps to deepen the immersion factor immensely for me and I love it. I was expecting to see just one SI cover for each week. While this is true, there is only one cover a week, there are also 5 or 6 "features" each week as well that are very similar to the covers. The cover is displayed on the right side of the screen next to the dynasty main menu, so you are always looking at the cover for that week if you back out from the play week screen. Then, if you select the SI option you are taken to the screen where you can access the BCS rankings, top 25 polls, weekly award winners, heisman hopefuls, and conference standings. When you move the cursor from option to option a different SI "article cover" emerges with a headline and picture. Very cool!!

Now, when I play NCAA I don't control my players. I simply call the plays and watch them play out from the sideline view. One thing I did with 2003 was jack the level up to heisman so the computer-controlled AI was at its highest for both teams (more jukes, better decisions by ALL players for both teams, etc), and I plugged a second controller in and put that controller on my team to get rid of the AI speed cheat. I set up things the same way for my first game against UCONNin 2004, and I got completely stomped. I was hoping that the computer would control both teams equally, (like it did in 2003) but I am not sure this is the case. Going into the game we (IU) were ranked #88 and UCONN #79. We were at home so I expected a fairly close matchup. We ended up getting trounced 44-0 and had only like 40 yards of total offense! I think my QB threw something like 5 interceptions. My players could do nothing right, and I am worried that I won't be able to "coach" from heisman this year. More testing is definitely needed to figure out what the deal was. I then quit the game before the 4th quarter was over and simmed it. IU ended up winning something like 35-17 and my QB threw for 300 yards. Very strange. I then simmed the season out through like week 10 or so before getting caught up in other things and having to stop playing. One of the things I was looking forward to the most was the enhancements to the crowd hypeness. But playing at IU with a less than half filled stadium I don't think I was able to experience this.

Coolest things I saw so far:

- SI Covers
- pre-season all-americans
- Tackling animations (wow!)
- fumbles (When my HB fumbled the ball, EVERY UCONN player in the immediate vicinity tried to dive on it. Something like 5 guys. Very cool to see!)
- Loading screen before the game shows key players and key injuries for each team

Biggest disappointments so far:

- For some reason I did not see my players run onto the field like in the trailer with Michigan. Granted I'm playing with IU, but there should be something!
- "coaching" at a high difficulty level does not seem to produce realistic or fair results. (Still too early to determine this for sure)
- SI covers cause menu lag while waiting for each cover to load - pretty minor annoyance, but I could see some people wanting to turn these off
- Still no option to generate a fantasy league with fake player names rather than numbers. I hate numbers.

Esquared1

07-15-2003, 09:59 AM

Sorry guys, I was playing most of the night, and I needed to be responsible until I find a new job. :)

Anyhow, I love the new defensive plays within each formation. I love playing nickel/dime on 3rd down, and there are more ways to blitz, play man, play zone, and combonations of all three. For instance, you can play cover 3 deep, 3 under, and blitz 1 from the outside. I love calling defensive plays, so this game really feeds my appitite.

On the flip side, it will make it much harder to read defenses, and I got caught on a blitz while passing. In 2003, if I saw Cover 3, I knew I had time to pass. In 2004, was all of a sudden sacked by a blitzing CB.

I did not sim any games or anything like that, so I don't know much outside of this.

I noticed one other thing. I had a receiver running down the sidelines, and he tried to "tip toe" down the out of bounds before his momentum took him out. It looked very cool.

I look forward to having the "televised games" to see if they added anything to the commentary. I liked how it tended to lively and relatively diverse, compared to Madden 2003.

lcjjdnh

07-15-2003, 10:07 AM

Got the game last night and have played one game plu simmed a view seasons. So far it looks good.

Some Comments:
1)The new playaction is awesome. The first few times I ran it, it tricked me up and I knew what the play was. It really looks like the RB gets the ball and there's a bit of delay before the passing buttons come up.
2)The Animations seem to be a lot better, blocks look great, receivers looking up for the ball over the shoulder as it comes down
3)Don't know whether this was a problem in Madden 2003 only, but NCAA 2004 does record pancake blocks in simulated games, not sure if it was included last year.
4)Another nice recruiting feature is not only do your scouts give you the usual, "faster than expected" or "Benches less than we thought", they actually give you the updated numbers for the report.

Also if anyone wants to play a game online, post here or PM me, I should be home pretty much all day.

sturmie

07-15-2003, 10:10 AM

i posted this is the other NCAA thread, but i really liked that the receivers whip their heads around for the ball now...pretty cool.

i also really like that the option pass is FINALLY effective - hit a 76y TD w/ McNeal from Texas A&M.

i haven't played dynasty mode yet b/c i leave for vegas tomorrow and i need to get things done...would it be bad to take NCAA 2004 and the PS2 out to vegas w/ me, even though we're going for my bachelor party? :).

sturmie

Esquared1

07-15-2003, 10:19 AM

Originally posted by sturmie

i haven't played dynasty mode yet b/c i leave for vegas tomorrow and i need to get things done...would it be bad to take NCAA 2004 and the PS2 out to vegas w/ me, even though we're going for my bachelor party? :).

sturmie

Bad- No
Pathetic-Yes
Safer for your long-term health- Hell Yes
The only time your finance would prefer that you play video games- God damn right, Yes

JeeberD

07-15-2003, 10:44 AM

Originally posted by Balldog
My game is sitting at home on my porch for the next 5.5 hours......got to quit looking at the clock.

Must find out where Balldog lives and steal his game..... :)

tucker342

07-15-2003, 11:07 AM

Here's hoping that EA shipped the game out yesterday:crosses fingers:

How good is Iowa:D

mckerney

07-15-2003, 11:08 AM

Originally posted by JeeberD
Must find out where Balldog lives and steal his game..... :)

Forget it, I'm gonna get there first. His Location says he lives in a place called "Ohio" so I'm just going to go over there and see what I can find. There can't be that many houses with packages on the porch in this "Ohio", could there?

ice4277

07-15-2003, 11:08 AM

I'll be picking mine up in about two hours :D

Balldog

07-15-2003, 11:15 AM

Originally posted by mckerney
Forget it, I'm gonna get there first. His Location says he lives in a place called "Ohio" so I'm just going to go over there and see what I can find. There can't be that many houses with packages on the porch in this "Ohio", could there?

I'll give you a hint, its north of Cincinnati and south of Toledo. If you can find it feel free to take it, I'll just buy another one. :p

mckerney

07-15-2003, 11:18 AM

So that's where this Ohio place is. I'm on my way!

A-Husker-4-Life

07-15-2003, 11:19 AM

Just went down to my local game store and picked up the last xbox copy..... I was just in time.... Thank the good lord....

Right after work it's time to start my Husker dynasty...

DataKing

07-15-2003, 11:30 AM

My first impressions have played one game (beat the hated Misery Tigers with my Jayhawks, 31-10) and watching the demo a bit while eating dinner.

1. Blockers actually form a wedge on kick returns. Kick and punt returners still have a tendency to plow into the nearest tackler, however.
2. More tipped passes and the like by linebackers and DBs. Unfortunately, defensive linemen still seem to have heavy feet, as I haven't seen a D-lineman tip a pass yet.
3. Offensive linemen actually pull and let D-linemen go! Missouri called a screen pass, and I watched the replay as their left guard pulled off to his right, giving my DT a free line on the QB. The ball was gone before my rusher got there, as was drawn up. Very nice addition!
4. When players get injured and walk off the field, you get a close-up on them. Very cool, as you can see the pain on their faces and they favor whatever part of their body was injured (holding their elbow, limping to the sideline on an injured ankle, etc.).
5. Running backs will sometimes lunge forward for an extra yard or two at the end of the run if they are being tackled from the side or behind. Very nice.
6. I saw a reverse wide-receiver pass last night. Nice to see some new trick plays.
7. There seem to be more injuries. Now, maybe it was just because KU and Mizzou hate each other, but there were five injuries in the game (played with 12 minute quarters). Only one of those was a multiple-week injury, though.
8. Your linemen actually get a good number of pancakes on their stat sheet. My right guard and tackle (my two best o-linemen) had 4 pancakes each, I think.
9. Three cheerleaders (unfortunately male) run the flags when you score at home. Nice.
10. Though I haven't seen it in the game yet, the manual mentions that it IS possible to change conferences. If you do poorly, your team may be kicked out of its current conference. If you do well with a smaller school, you could be asked to join a more prestigious conference. My concern here is that I hope they aligned the conferences regionally. It would be bizarre if, after a number of seasons, UCLA was part of the Big East and UConn was part of the Pac-10, or some such nonsense.
11. One of the mascots they added was THE JAYHAWK! WOOHOO! DK is a happy camper. :D Now I have to get the Jayhawk Mascot Team pennant!

The one thing that I find incredibly annoying is the "Old Spice Red Zone" thing that comes up when you're in the red zone sometimes. I even heard the commentator say "The Old Spice Red Zone...when performance matters most." *sigh* I payed $50 for a cool football game, not another means by which to be assaulted by advertising. What's next? Commercial breaks during a PS2 football game? (Gads, I hope no advertising execs read this.)

Overall, I am quite impressed. The game play is good, though I should mention that I am playing the "coach-only" mode that mrsimperless mentioned. I have always done this, and usually end up playing it on one of the middle-two settings with heavily tweaked sliders for semi-realistic results. Basically I like to be challenged, but at the same time I don't want to get smoked by Nebraska 66-0 no matter what plays I call.

tucker342

07-15-2003, 11:39 AM

That would be terrible if they started having commercial breaks

HOW GOOD IS IOWA!?!?!

mckerney

07-15-2003, 11:45 AM

Originally posted by tucker342
That would be terrible if they started having commercial breaks

HOW GOOD IS IOWA!?!?!

They suck.

SunDancer

07-15-2003, 11:51 AM

Anyone give more on the school-specific enterances?

illinifan999

07-15-2003, 11:59 AM

"- For some reason I did not see my players run onto the field like in the trailer with Michigan. Granted I'm playing with IU, but there should be something!"

K, i think I know the problem with this. In last years game if you were playing a game like Indiana at UCONN that wasnt shown as being televised, then you only got the PA anouncers, and no little pregame stuff. Just straight to the coin toss. Don't know if that's the case, but that's the only thing I can think of right now.

Celeval

07-15-2003, 12:03 PM

Originally posted by DataKing
5. Running backs will sometimes lunge forward for an extra yard or two at the end of the run if they are being tackled from the side or behind. Very nice.

Almost forgot! This was the best part - running a goal-line pitch, third and goal... my RB was hit at about the three yard line at the sideline, looked like he was being brought down; but did some kind of lunge and stuck his arm out at the pylon, in for the score. GREAT play, looked incredibly real.

Kevin

bigjdotcom01

07-15-2003, 12:17 PM

I just picked up the game at lunch, but I am now back at work. Could someone check if Buffalo has pride stickers this year or not. I just cannot wait to get home and play!!!

Swaggs

07-15-2003, 12:24 PM

Originally posted by mckerney
So that's where this Ohio place is. I'm on my way!

Meanwhile, Shorty is probably already playing it. :)

Bee

07-15-2003, 12:25 PM

I just went out to pick it up at lunch as well. I was told they were out of stock and another shipment would be in Friday.

Maybe I'll try another computer store on the way home.

DataKing

07-15-2003, 01:04 PM

Originally posted by bigjdotcom01
I just picked up the game at lunch, but I am now back at work. Could someone check if Buffalo has pride stickers this year or not. I just cannot wait to get home and play!!!

The demo game I watched last night while eating dinner just happened to be UConn vs. Buffalo. Unless my memory has completely failed me, then yes, the Bulls do have pride stickers on their helmets.

bigjdotcom01

07-15-2003, 01:06 PM

Originally posted by DataKing
The demo game I watched last night while eating dinner just happened to be UConn vs. Buffalo. Unless my memory has completely failed me, then yes, the Bulls do have pride stickers on their helmets.

Thanks, I just cannot do anything here at work today except web surf, damn. Must....control......urge.....to....leave.

illinifan999

07-15-2003, 01:07 PM

Any new options on create-a-player, or create-a-team. I already know about the mascots, and alternative jersey's, but anything else. I really wish they gave the option of adding a conference patch to your team's jersey's.

JeeberD

07-15-2003, 01:18 PM

Originally posted by Balldog
I'll give you a hint, its north of Cincinnati and south of Toledo. If you can find it feel free to take it, I'll just buy another one. :p

Hah, I've got a heads up on you, mckerney! I've already gone through all the Ohio high school girls softball websites and found the one school that has a hot chick playing for them! So now I know the town. Just gotta find Balldogs house now...

A-Husker-4-Life

07-15-2003, 01:42 PM

I just got thru playing one half of a game and I had to go back to work :( Oh well, I just paused it and I'll be back at it after work....

All I have to say is, this game is the best... Much better than last years version.... Currently I'm playing the First week of the Huskers schedule, OSU and I'm beating them 6-0... I can't wait to go home and finish the game....

tucker342

07-15-2003, 02:10 PM

hey, now that's a little bit harsh:)

At least they're not as bad as Indiana...

Swaggs

07-15-2003, 02:25 PM

Can we get an official head count on how many times tucker asked "how good is Iowa?" :)

korme

07-15-2003, 03:21 PM

BEST.NEWS.

On the phone with my mom.

Shane: Dad needs to look at the PS2 again but this time it's a different problem (I broke it completely I think guys but shh)
Mom: Well if he can't fix it then we'll have to just buy a new one. The prices can't be that expensive anymore.

Woohoo. My mom is a baller.

Marmel

07-15-2003, 03:25 PM

Does she know you like goats?

korme

07-15-2003, 03:25 PM

top secret.

Marmel

07-15-2003, 03:29 PM

I won't tell....just ship Patsy back when you are done.

Balldog

07-15-2003, 03:51 PM

Whew, I got my copy before anyone else got their hands on it.

Just played OSU at Michigan, this game kicks ass. I was up 24-13 in the 4th Qtr when Navare went deep down the sideline against Gamble, well the WR started drifting out of bounds so I lined Gamble up to make the pick. The WR cut back in bounds and made the catch for the score. I was pissed, then I seen a flag was thrown. Inadvertant touching was called!

I returned two picks for TDs, Gamble had 1 for 95 yards which killed Michigan when I was up 10-0 and they were about to score.

Cards4ever

07-15-2003, 04:07 PM

Originally posted by Balldog
The WR cut back in bounds and made the catch for the score. I was pissed, then I seen a flag was thrown. Inadvertant touching was called!

Must be the same ref that was at the championship game.

Neuqua

07-15-2003, 04:43 PM

Quick question:

In my dynasty if I go ahead and simulate 4 years to get all the #s out of the way, and I export each draft class, what should I be expecting the rookies names be in Madden?

Are they going to be exported as #s? Real Names? Fake names?

RainRaven

07-15-2003, 04:49 PM

Damn you all, I had to run out and buy it :p Now I will be forced to kick all of your asses in online play ::cackles:: adem.. err see ya on the playing field boys :)

illinifan999

07-15-2003, 05:05 PM

Neuqua, I believe they will be numbers.

Bad News: $50 poorer

Good News: GOT IT!!!!!!!! Didnt even pre-order it. :)

MizzouRah

07-15-2003, 05:09 PM

My first impressions have played one game (beat the hated Misery Tigers with my Jayhawks, 31-10) and watching the demo a bit while eating dinner.

Get it off varsity! :)

Todd

Neuqua

07-15-2003, 05:10 PM

Originally posted by illinifan999
Neuqua, I believe they will be numbers.

Dohhh.

I guess I may send off my memory card to one of these roster-makers after all.

sabotai

07-15-2003, 05:39 PM

I just got it. SO far, I'm impressed with all the options. I did the Create-A-School thing.

For those who don't know, it allows you to pick a logo (any NCAA logo, Letter, Greek Letter or some custom logos they made). You get to choose the colors (2) for the logo. And 1 color fo the flag background.

School Name, Nickname, City, State, Stadium name. You can have one of several stadium layouts. Like a dome, horseshoe, just bleachers on both sides, etc. You can choose to have track go around the field. There's alos a lot more.

And you can color the entire uniform for hoem and away Plus 2 alternates. And there are several different styles of jersey sleeve to pick from, several different helmet styles (just one stripe, player's number, triple strip & logo, etc. etc.)

It's pretty neat IMO.

Right now I'm just simming through several seasons to get the numbers out.

SegRat

07-15-2003, 06:18 PM

One thing I really liked was an injury to the QB from West Virgina. In the first quarter he had a shoulder injury. He missed one play and was right back in there. Then in the third quarter he had another shoulder injury. He missed the rest of the series. Then at the begining of the fourth quarter he had another shoulder injury. Now he is out of action for the next 5 weeks. The kid had heart, but it cost him.

CamEdwards

07-15-2003, 06:51 PM

I'm playing as Oklahoma State and so far have finished two games. Game One against Nebraska, I won in a minor upset 24-17. Game Two I trounced Wyoming 45-20.

I'm playing on All-American with 8 minute quarters, and having a great time. The animations are much better, it's a deeper experience all around, and much more like a college game instead of Madden with mascots.

MizzouRah

07-15-2003, 07:34 PM

Originally posted by CamEdwards
I'm playing as Oklahoma State and so far have finished two games. Game One against Nebraska, I won in a minor upset 24-17. Game Two I trounced Wyoming 45-20.

I'm playing on All-American with 8 minute quarters, and having a great time. The animations are much better, it's a deeper experience all around, and much more like a college game instead of Madden with mascots.

Great to hear, indeed! Too bad they didn't implement the accelerated clock like Madden has this year. :(

Todd

tucker342

07-15-2003, 07:37 PM

Game sounds great. Still waiting for my copy though.....

ice4277

07-15-2003, 08:29 PM

Originally posted by Balldog
Whew, I got my copy before anyone else got their hands on it.

Just played OSU at Michigan, this game kicks ass. I was up 24-13 in the 4th Qtr when Navare went deep down the sideline against Gamble, well the WR started drifting out of bounds so I lined Gamble up to make the pick. The WR cut back in bounds and made the catch for the score. I was pissed, then I seen a flag was thrown. Inadvertant touching was called!

I returned two picks for TDs, Gamble had 1 for 95 yards which killed Michigan when I was up 10-0 and they were about to score.

Too bad that's the only time that will happen this season :D

I always love playing the OSU/Michigan game in my dynasties, and I'm really looking forward to it this year.

cthomer5000

07-15-2003, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by sabotai
31-0 losing against Rutgers.

Good to see EA got Rutgers right! :D

Swaggs

07-15-2003, 08:45 PM

Originally posted by SegRat
One thing I really liked was an injury to the QB from West Virgina. In the first quarter he had a shoulder injury. He missed one play and was right back in there. Then in the third quarter he had another shoulder injury. He missed the rest of the series. Then at the begining of the fourth quarter he had another shoulder injury. Now he is out of action for the next 5 weeks. The kid had heart, but it cost him.

Too bad he wasn't from Pitt or Syracuse. That would have been better.

FBPro

07-15-2003, 08:53 PM

Well, game one of my UGA dynasty went well.....defeated Clemson 33-27. :)

illinifan999

07-15-2003, 09:15 PM

Ok, played through my first season. THe new tackling animations are the shit! They are awesome. I can't count how many times I watched replays of tackles. Special teams is much more improved. I actually returned a punt! :eek: The new runnniig animations are awesome. Watching your RB get tackled, while he tries to dive the extra yard for the first down is awesome. The tunnel entrances are cool. The SI covers are the best new thing IMO. The guy who came up with that idea needs a bonus. Add's a ton. I though it was great as Marshall was tearing through the MAC, and the covers were saying how they got little love, etc. Recruiting is way better now. Best.Game.Ever. :D

sabotai

07-15-2003, 09:35 PM

I played my first game. Made the mistake of setting the quarter minutes too long. 13 minute quarters takes about 2 hours to play. Was a 48-40 victory over Oregon State with my custom made team. Yeah, the sliders need a little work. :)

But was cool. Leading 48-32 with under a minute to go. I get a bogus pass int called on me. I'm hoping the game has some sort of fuzzy logic in it where it'll call close but bad calls. My defender tipped the pass, but about 0.5 seconds after that another defender tackled the receiver. SO I'm hoping it was an int called because it was close, not becuase the game will call int when the ball has been tipped.

Anyway, they score, get the 2pt conversion, get the onside kick but I hold for the win.

Playing the Option is FUN!

I definatly has a college feel to it. My home game against Oregon State barely had anyone there. It was not televised so I didn't get any annoucers. At first I was like "What?" but then I was like "It's actually cool.":)

illinifan999

07-15-2003, 09:40 PM

Did this game show up as one of your greatest games?

sabotai

07-15-2003, 09:44 PM

No, it didn't. Maybe because it wasn't so great. :) Turnovers all over the place. 5 apiece, I think it was.

mckerney

07-15-2003, 10:07 PM

Originally posted by Shorty3281
BEST.NEWS.

On the phone with my mom.

Shane: Dad needs to look at the PS2 again but this time it's a different problem (I broke it completely I think guys but shh)
Mom: Well if he can't fix it then we'll have to just buy a new one. The prices can't be that expensive anymore.

Woohoo. My mom is a baller.

Shorty, I think I may have some bad news for you though. I'm not exactly sure what your mom was saying on the phone due to all the yelling, but it went something like this:

Me: Yeah, Shane was talking the other day about how he used to like Corona, but now he sticks to cheaper beers...What, you didn't know about his drinking problem? Well, get him to tell you the stories about when he and his friends were really sloshed and throwing up on each other...What? Now you're not going to buy him a new Playstation? That's really too bad, I know how much he wanted one. Oh well, good bye...Oh wait, I hope you're still on but I almost forgot that. He also said that he broke the old Playstation completely, I know this doesn't matter much now but I thought I should let you know.

JeeberD

07-16-2003, 01:40 AM

My resistance is fading.....................................

Honolulu_Blue

07-16-2003, 01:43 AM

Originally posted by JeeberD
My resistance is fading.....................................

Resistance is futile. Everybody knows that...

MrBug708

07-16-2003, 01:46 AM

Mine is up since I dont have a PS2 or an Xbox

Archer219

07-16-2003, 03:07 AM

Very Impressed so far. Just got done playing for 6 hours.

Overall the gameplay seems improved. It is much harder to beat the top team with a really bad team, but give me time before I deem it impossible. This is big for me, as it is something I have done in NCAA 2003.

Played a dynasty, on Heisman dificulty. Started as the Arizona Wildcats, went 4-7 (2-6 simmed, 2-1 played) and lost my job. :-(

Signed on with UCon, went 9-3 (8-2 simmed, 1-1 played) in my first season. Got some nice recruits went 11-2 (9-2, 2-0), won the Silicon Valley Classic.

After the season I got invited into the MAC to replace Eastern Michigan, which was really cool.

On a side note, Miami has been to all three national championship bowls and has won the past two. Ohio State beat Miami in Season 1, and Miami has beat Tennesse the past two seasons.

Butter

07-16-2003, 08:09 AM

I can't decide who to take for the crappy dynasty. I started out with Arkansas State, but I couldn't get into it. I was going to go with Furman, but the game really doesn't replicate I-AA (i.e. playoffs, unless I'm missing something you have to just replace an entire I-A conference with your I-AA conference and they all go to bowl games just like the I-A teams).

I started a test Arkansas State dynasty. Year 1 the Heisman was won by Boise State's star RB and Oklahoma beat Miami in the title game. After my first unsuccessful year, Army wanted me to be head coach, and I said no thanks. Year 2, Miami beat Kansas St. in the title game, and I got a 3 year extension offer after a bowl appearance in the New Orleans Bowl. I took it, since I really didn't want to keep this dynasty anyway. Ohio St.'s Maurice Clarett won the Heisman this year. Year 3, Louisville made it to the title game as #1, but lost to Kansas St. I didn't fare particularly well in that year, but Pitt offered me their job at the end of the season after finishing 2-11. Normally, in a dynasty like this I would take that, but mainly I was running this to see if anyone would switch conferences. Year 4, Louisville again made it to the title game, and Southern Miss finished #3. That worries me about the mid-major bug from last year. Let's face it, 2 CUSA teams in the pre-bowl top 3 is ridiculous. Louisville did lose again to Miami this time. No switches through 4 years, and recruiting is a bit tougher and more realistic, I think.

I'm having trouble deciding who to run a dynasty with so far. I've got it narrowed down to a few, I'd like feedback if anyone wants to give me some:

Rice
Boise State (on second thought, I can't handle the blue field so scratch that)
Rutgers
Vanderbilt
Baylor
North Texas
Troy State
UConn
Army
Navy

I like running the option, but haven't yet tried it in this game. I also want a team I can stick with a few years and try and get them in a conference.

Anyone with specific "nit-picky" type questions, feel free to ask me via PM as I am going home this afternoon for a 2 hour lunch to play the game (I skipped lunch yesterday just for this), and I could probably look at a few issues, like does such-and-such stadium have a sign where it's supposed to be and stuff like that.

First impressions of gameplay are good, All-American is harder this year, Washington was kicking my behind as Ohio State because I couldn't get the hang of throwing with the new "leading the receiver" feature. First running play with Clarett, I broke a beautiful sweep for 20 yards, then they shut him down. The game also feels more college-y, with the crowd more into it, the band playing a bit more often, and the gameplay itself just feeling more like a college game. The blocking is much better this year, although the CPU still didn't run a whole lot from what I've seen so far. I think it's an upgrade, and with EB Games offering me a 25% trade-in bonus for Splinter Cell and NCAA College Basketball 2K3 (a major disappointment--how can the CPU not foul down 1 at the end of a game?), I ended up getting the game for about $25 without pre-ordering.

ColtCrazy

07-16-2003, 08:42 AM

I've been doing mostly editing (10 custom teams, rosters) but I played one game on the easiest setting just to get a feel for it. It seems quicker paced than last year's, which will take some getting used to, but I love how the tackling and punt returning has improved. The playbooks look good too.
Another little thing I noticed. I was playing against Ohio St. and stomping them 44-13 (the easy level is WAY TOO EASY) when I noticed Clarett was out. He hadn't been injured, and I had just finished a long drive so he couldn't have been fatigued. I wonder if they subbed him automatically in the blow out. That would be a great feature if it's true. Anyone else notice that?

bigjdotcom01

07-16-2003, 09:03 AM

Originally posted by DataKing
The demo game I watched last night while eating dinner just happened to be UConn vs. Buffalo. Unless my memory has completely failed me, then yes, the Bulls do have pride stickers on their helmets.

They didn't include the pride stickers for Buffalo, and they also didn't include their blue socks, oh well. They game play is awesome so far.

I love the fact that you can actually throw screen passes this year and have receivers turn 5 yard passes into 60 yard TD's.

Marmel

07-16-2003, 09:17 AM

It is better than 2003, but not significantly better.

I have played 4 games on varsity difficulty with a created school, starting at cupcake level.

I am 0-4, no game was even close. In 2003 I started as an academic (C grade vs. D now), so I cannot really compare the difficulty. I tried starting on All-American and was down 17-0 to USF 2 minutes into the game and decided I better turn it down a notch.

The graphics are a little better, and the animations as well. the play book is deeper, which is very nice. I wish there was a printout of all the plays in the manual though.

The create a school and everything else is pretty much the same as 2003 so far, but I do look forward to some conference changes in future offseasons.

Good game so far, but not worth the hype.

CamEdwards

07-16-2003, 09:26 AM

The one bad thing I've noticed so far is that much of the commentary is the same, down to the "Automatic Touchdown Machine" comment by Corso, followed by Herbstreit's "Where do you come up with this stuff?"

Could we at least get some new one liners for our $49.95?

Butter

07-16-2003, 09:32 AM

I noticed that too, Cam. I rolled my eyes when I heard Kirk repeat the exact same stuff in the same tone from last year. They could at least change the wording and have them re-record it so it sounds new.

DataKing

07-16-2003, 09:39 AM

Well, I've encountered my first problem. I sincerely hope that this is a problem with my console, and not with the game itself.

Last night I started my dynasty as the Kansas Jayhawks (I have tweaked the sliders a bit since beating Mizzou on Monday, and will continue to do so until it feels "right"), and started the season off at home, hosting Northwestern.

What probably looked like a ho-hum game no one would care about, turned into a great matchup. We were down 14-0 at the end of the first quarter, but rallied in the second to knot it up at 17-17 at halftime. The third quarter was all Kansas, and we looked pretty safe with a 38-24 lead. However, a touchdown by the Wildcats and then a coughed-up punt return on our end later in the half allowed Northwestern to tie it up with a 20-yard touchdown pass with under a minute to play. The QB was sandwiched on the play and knocked out for three weeks.

So I braced myself for overtime, tied at 38-38, but figured we had the edge, since their starting QB had been knocked out. But the damn thing froze on me! As it was about to list the "End of 4th Quarter" score, it locked up! *sob* A great game, lost.

I sincerely hope this is just a problem with my console (I've had the occasional lockup problem in the past) and not with the game itself. Has anyone else had a game go to overtime yet? Any problems?

DataKing

07-16-2003, 09:41 AM

Originally posted by Butter_of_69
I noticed that too, Cam. I rolled my eyes when I heard Kirk repeat the exact same stuff in the same tone from last year. They could at least change the wording and have them re-record it so it sounds new.

Kirk was busy recording all the audio for that new "NCAA 101" section that no one cares about. :p

Butter

07-16-2003, 09:42 AM

Anyone notice the Florida fight song? It sounds great until they get to the "Go Gators" part, then it sounds less like a crowd and more like a couple of drunk guys yelling it.

Also, there's not a much better fight song than USC's "Victory March". Makes me want to do a USC dynasty just to hear that a few times a game.

mrsimperless

07-16-2003, 10:08 AM

Just wanted to stroke the game some more.

I finally made it through a season, and the depth and number of options that shows up in the "Sports Illustrated" screen is awesome. As the season nears its close bowl projections make it out to show you who will likely wind up where. Also, it comes up with awards semi-finalist lists consisting of 12 guys for each award. After a couple more weeks it narrows the lists down to three finalists each. Then the winners are announced after the season. Very cool!

I found that it takes me 3-4 times longer to complete a season now (simming games) than it did before. This is a good thing because the main reason it is taking longer is because I am so much more immersed in things than I was in last year's game.

Recruiting took longer as well, and I like the addition of the new pitches. It provides you incentinve to spread your points out more to talk to as many guys as you can rather than just concentrating on a select few. The reason for this is that once you talk to a guy you find out if the pitch you are using is effective or not. So the earlier in the recruiting process you talk to someone the better chance you have of nailing the correct pitch. Also, the total recruiting points available to your team degrades each recruiting week now. I found that in later weeks I had trouble coming up with points for all of the guys I had targeted from previous weeks. It is too soon to issue a verdict on recruiting yet, but so far things have been easier. I landed 24 recruits with my UAB team and had the #36 class with (0-1-14-8-1).

One other quick glitch to note on the bowl projections. After losing my last game of the season I was dropped from all bowl games. However, once the final week was finished I ended up reciving a bowl bid anyway even though none of the teams in my conference played that last week. Very weird. I think there are still some problems with conference tie-breakers.

mckerney

07-16-2003, 11:27 AM

Originally posted by DataKing
What probably looked like a ho-hum game no one would care about, turned into a great matchup. We were down 14-0 at the end of the first quarter

Yoiu could have just hit reset, then you'd be STILL UNDEFEATED!!!

korme

07-16-2003, 11:30 AM

Originally posted by mckerney
Shorty, I think I may have some bad news for you though. I'm not exactly sure what your mom was saying on the phone due to all the yelling, but it went something like this:

Me: Yeah, Shane was talking the other day about how he used to like Corona, but now he sticks to cheaper beers...What, you didn't know about his drinking problem? Well, get him to tell you the stories about when he and his friends were really sloshed and throwing up on each other...What? Now you're not going to buy him a new Playstation? That's really too bad, I know how much he wanted one. Oh well, good bye...Oh wait, I hope you're still on but I almost forgot that. He also said that he broke the old Playstation completely, I know this doesn't matter much now but I thought I should let you know.

:eek:

JeeberD

07-16-2003, 11:40 AM

You guys are making it so hard for me to save my money... :mad:

Does Blockbuster have it yet? If I rented it that would probably soothe my cravings for a little while...

mckerney

07-16-2003, 11:43 AM

Originally posted by Shorty3281
:eek:

Your mom wouldn't get that mad if she were to find out, would she shorty?

Why do you think I left out the goat part?

Kodos

07-16-2003, 11:58 AM

Primelord and I played online last night. First game, my Hoosiers just barely edged Missouri, but primelord got his revenge in a 28-14 whupping where his QB ran all over my team. Damn scrambling QBs. :)

SegRat

07-16-2003, 01:17 PM

Originally posted by DataKing
Well, I've encountered my first problem. I sincerely hope that this is a problem with my console, and not with the game itself.

So I braced myself for overtime, tied at 38-38, but figured we had the edge, since their starting QB had been knocked out. But the damn thing froze on me! As it was about to list the "End of 4th Quarter" score, it locked up! *sob* A great game, lost.

I sincerely hope this is just a problem with my console (I've had the occasional lockup problem in the past) and not with the game itself. Has anyone else had a game go to overtime yet? Any problems?

I had this problem with NCAA 2003. I ended up trying 3 diffrent copies and they all froze up on me. I couldnt get into the game after that. I have yet to have the problem with 2004. Right now I enjoy the game a great deal, but this issue would kill it for me.

GrantDawg

07-16-2003, 01:18 PM

Originally posted by Butter_of_69
Anyone notice the Florida fight song? It sounds great until they get to the "Go Gators" part, then it sounds less like a crowd and more like a couple of drunk guys yelling it.

That is not on the game. That is just a live feed piped in from the Swamp. :)

Ok, I've played three games and ran through a couple of seasons on "Dynasty" mode, and here is my take. (Keep in mind, I play a "coach only" style of play).

1. Love the SI stuff. I really thought that sounded dumb, but it really does help you immerse yourself in the game world.

2. Played my first game as Georgia/ GT rivalry game. I won pretty easily (Varsity setting, not touching the sliders), and the main thing I noticed was that sacks are definitely up. I got 6 team sacks, and was sacked 4 times. Woo-hoo! That and the fact pancakes are recorded makes this game worth the money.

3. I switched to All-American (what I played last year) and played a few minutes of a 1980 UGA/ 1990 GT game. The rosters for these games suck! They rated Hershel Walker exactly the same as whoever the running back for Tech was that year (I don't remember who it was, but he was not an All-American or even an All-ACC player and holds no school records). Most of the Players are exactly the same except for numbers (and an alteration here and there for a standout). What a waste of space if they were not going to make these legit.

4. Playing against Clemson on the first game in a dynasty, I notice a MAJOR bug. I force Clemson to punt from there 48, so the kicker does a high punt and players get down there to try and down it (they do this much better than last year). My player gets in the way of the guy trying to down the ball at the goal line. A flag is thrown, my guy gets a "interfering with a catch" penalty, and Clemson gets the ball ON THE GOALLINE. That Sucked! I hope that glitch doesn't happen very often.

5. Passing completions are way to low when you allow the computer to handle things. He holds the ball to long and ends up trying homerun passes after homerun passes, throwing too many interceptions and ending up with a sub-40 completion percentage and a 10+ per pass yardage average. In all the games I played, this was the trend. It was this way last year, though, so I'll just have to find the right sliders to help this.

All in all, it is a fun game. I'm going to do some more experimenting before getting to serious in a dynasty (I'm waiting for roster names). Well worth the upgrade.

Neuqua

07-16-2003, 02:20 PM

I'm tired.

I knew today that I didn't have work nor summer classes to take so I figured I'd have some sort of a marathon of NCAA last night.

Turns out I went 11 hours straight with the game and slept for a mere couple hours.

I started a dynasty with a made up school (DuPage Chaparrals) and proceeded to sim out the #'s. I started in the MAC but was let go after my 3rd season for, well, sucking. In my first season in the Independents I did end up with a 6-6 record which helped bump my prestige to 2 stars.

Currently, I decided to go ahead and watch how my team plays on the field. That's right, I'm so bad at this game I'd rather not screw my team over so I just put the controllers in between the two logos and watch teh game with a TV-style presentation (not much changed from last year.)

In the second game of the season, my Chaparrals (#93) were to square off against TCU (#16.) After losing the previous week to the #100 ranked Louisiana Tech I figured my team had no shot.

On their second possession, TCU scored a touchdown, and I figured "Ok here comes the onslaught." Luckily for me however, DuPage started making short little West-Coast style passes and I began to gain some yardage. On that drive I end up scoring a touchdown, 7-7. On the next possession, I sack TCU and they are forced to punt the ball on 4th and long. Now it's almost like I may actually have some momentum going. While I did gain some good yardage against their defense, my QB made costly errors (Throwing an INT on their 3 yard line :( ) which cost me a chance to pad the lead. TCU attempts a fake field goal at one point but my DE was right there to get the sack. Right before the half though, on 3rd and 8 one of the opposing LBs deflected a pass right into the hands of my fastest reciever, Aaron Spence. Spence made a few jukes and ran it up the sidelines to get the touchdown and make the score 14-7. And that was the score at halftime.

In the third quarter TCU and DuPage basically just switched possessions over and over again, with no one gaining any significant yardage. DuPage finally started to make progress into the TCU Redzone when once again, my QB proceeds to throw an interception. This is the 2nd time that's happened this game, the score could easily be 28-7 or atleast 20-7. I'm actually shouting at the TV at this point. Turns out that was the momentum shifter. TCU pretty easily on the next drive made it into the DuPage territory and scored another 7 points. I go 4 and out, gaining a mere couple yards. TCU comes back and scores another touchdown, 21-14 TCU.

Basically the game was over from there. The final was 24-14 as TCU managed to tack on another field goal in the final quarter. I had a blast watching this game however, showing as much emotion as I do the NFL every week. I have a good sense of who my good players are, and which players aren't so good. And while I'm too bad to be included into any of the SI articles, I could definetly see how they will help me out in a few years (hopefully) when I can become atleast a bowl contender.

Now, enough of this typing, DuPage (0-2) is up against #34 UConn (3-0.)

mrsimperless

07-16-2003, 02:43 PM

Neuqua,

I'm intrigued by your idea of watching, and not coaching. Maybe this would keep my team from playing so horribly and keep the games "fair" or at least on an equal footing. I will have to give it a try. One thing I have wished for since last year is the ability to call plays, but still use the TV-style presentation mode used when watching two computer teams duke it out. That would be very cool.

Out of curiosity, what length of quarters are you playing?

GrantDawg

07-16-2003, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by mrsimperless
Neuqua,

I'm intrigued by your idea of watching, and not coaching. Maybe this would keep my team from playing so horribly and keep the games "fair" or at least on an equal footing. I will have to give it a try. One thing I have wished for since last year is the ability to call plays, but still use the TV-style presentation mode used when watching two computer teams duke it out. That would be very cool.

Out of curiosity, what length of quarters are you playing?

I'm with you. How hard would it be to add a "coach only" mode to the game?

Another little thing, Screens are better in this game, but in just letting the game play, my QB has been sacked about 75% of the time I've tried one. I think the game hesitates (like it does in some other game-play issues) waiting for you to take over and that is just enough to end up a dead duck.

mrsimperless

07-16-2003, 02:56 PM

Originally posted by GrantDawg
I'm with you. How hard would it be to add a "coach only" mode to the game?

Another little thing, Screens are better in this game, but in just letting the game play, my QB has been sacked about 75% of the time I've tried one. I think the game hesitates (like it does in some other game-play issues) waiting for you to take over and that is just enough to end up a dead duck.

Yeah, I've been quite disappointed with "coach mode" so far. In the two games I played with a friend last night in "coach mode" (7 minute quarters) neither one of us had more than 100 or so yards total offense in any game. Very discouraging. Hopefully slider tweaks can help it. Let me know if you come up with something that works, as I don't have the patience to mess with it.

Have you tried running a QB sneak yet? The one time I tried the QB just stood there and didnt move at all. The AI never took control of him and we lost the ball on 4th down. Grrrrrr

GrantDawg

07-16-2003, 03:01 PM

Originally posted by mrsimperless
Yeah, I've been quite disappointed with "coach mode" so far. In the two games I played with a friend last night in "coach mode" (7 minute quarters) neither one of us had more than 100 or so yards total offense in any game. Very discouraging. Hopefully slider tweaks can help it. Let me know if you come up with something that works, as I don't have the patience to mess with it.

Have you tried running a QB sneak yet? The one time I tried the QB just stood there and didnt move at all. The AI never took control of him and we lost the ball on 4th down. Grrrrrr

I'll let you know. I usually work hard at finding the right balance. I haven't been able to play much today (after a very late night), but I've already started a little tweak. What level are playing on? I found AA the best last year, as Heisman has more tweaks that goes against the player.

mrsimperless

07-16-2003, 03:03 PM

Originally posted by GrantDawg
I'll let you know. I usually work hard at finding the right balance. I haven't been able to play much today (after a very late night), but I've already started a little tweak. What level are playing on? I found AA the best last year, as Heisman has more tweaks that goes against the player.

I've bounced around, but I think I'm settling on AA as well. The first game I did was Heisman and it was laughable. The only thing I'm concerned about is that I had read regarding the 2003 version that the AI performs smarter all-around on Heisman and the games were more realistic. Hopefully the difference isn't that noticeable.

GrantDawg

07-16-2003, 03:07 PM

Originally posted by mrsimperless
I've bounced around, but I think I'm settling on AA as well. The first game I did was Heisman and it was laughable. The only thing I'm concerned about is that I had read regarding the 2003 version that the AI performs smarter all-around on Heisman and the games were more realistic. Hopefully the difference isn't that noticeable.

I wonder if it really is "smarter" or it just cheats more. I'm betting on the latter. Notice in the game as it is, if you audible a run play (from say the I formation with two TE) from one side to the other without moving a single player, the defense will stack whatever side you change it too. :rolleyes:

Neuqua

07-16-2003, 03:14 PM

I'm also playing my games at All-American difficulty with 9 minute quarters. It takes about an hour and a half per game.

BTW, UCONN 27 DuPage 0.

6 interceptions thrown by my QB.

mrsimperless

07-16-2003, 03:28 PM

Originally posted by GrantDawg
I wonder if it really is "smarter" or it just cheats more. I'm betting on the latter. Notice in the game as it is, if you audible a run play (from say the I formation with two TE) from one side to the other without moving a single player, the defense will stack whatever side you change it too. :rolleyes:

I'll give you that the AI cheats, but I thought it was supposed to be more than that. For example I thought I read somewhere that AI controlled halfbacks (for both teams) would juke better, spin better, etc. on heisman level. But I could be completely wrong.

GrantDawg

07-16-2003, 03:41 PM

Originally posted by Neuqua
I'm also playing my games at All-American difficulty with 9 minute quarters. It takes about an hour and a half per game.

BTW, UCONN 27 DuPage 0.

6 interceptions thrown by my QB.

Is that just watching? From just a little experimenting, I think decreasing the computer defense interceptions just a tad can make a big diference (though, your QB may be that bad).

korme

07-16-2003, 03:50 PM

Isn't just watching or coaching the games incredibly boring?

GrantDawg

07-16-2003, 03:58 PM

Originally posted by Shorty3281
Isn't just watching or coaching the games incredibly boring?

Watching can be (but this game and Madden are so realistic and can make you feel like your watching a real game), but coaching is much more fun to me than bashing buttons.

sabotai

07-16-2003, 05:49 PM

One thing I noticed.

Def Pass Interference is a little messed up. 2 plays that I got call for pass interference:

1) The QB scamples to the right and throws the ball out of bounds. My guy gets called for pass interfence. (Watched the replay, saw no contact)

2) I intercept the ball. PI called. I watch it, no contact at all from the guy called for it.

So I guess that slider gets turned down a bit.

One a positive note, I beat Iowa (they were supposed to crush me), and I got mentioned in the Top 25 Polls SI picture. Of course, they showed the Iowa coach, not mine. But hey.

Titled: "Can Anyone Survive?"
Caption: "In a day of upsets, Hawkeyes swallow a bitter pill in Psrey Stadium"

The #1 and #3 teams also lost to nonranked teams that week. I thought it was cool how it had the title "Can Anyone Survive?" on a day when a lot of upsets happened. Makes you know that they actually put a lot of effort into this and didn't just throw in some generic text to be randomly picked.

The cover of SI that week was:

Title: "Are They For Real?"
Caption: "New Mexico State defeats the Trojans of USC in non-conference action."

mckerney

07-16-2003, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by sabotai
Titled: "Can Anyone Survive?"
Caption: "In a day of upsets, Hawkeyes swallow a bitter pill in Psrey Stadium"

Is Iowa losing ever and upset? :D

Yes, that was directed at you Tucker ;)

sabotai

07-16-2003, 08:35 PM

*sigh*

The game froze on me. I had just sacked the QB, it went to a sideline view of my Coach, and it just froze. It would have to happen in the 4th quarter....

Airhog

07-16-2003, 08:39 PM

Since Im playing 2003, I will chime in and ask a few questions.

1. Have the improved the no-huddle offense? I hate the fact that sometimes my players cant get back to the line of scrimmage before the CPU runs a play.

2. did they add the ability to create your own playbook on offense? I havent heard anything about this so I would assume no.

3. If you create your own school, do you get a good number of Freshmen? Both times I have created my own school, and I have wound up with just a few Fresment.

4. It still sounds like they have some quirks with penalties in general.

sabotai

07-16-2003, 08:44 PM

"2. did they add the ability to create your own playbook on offense? I havent heard anything about this so I would assume no."

Not that I know of.

Can't answer any others since I didn't play 2003

jetpunk2000

07-16-2003, 08:45 PM

How exactly do you set the game to coach only mode? I couldnt find anythign in the book, and I can't seem to find it within the game.

MizzouRah

07-16-2003, 09:02 PM

AA was the perfect difficulty for me last year and most people's tastes. Bill Abner had some great sliders and I'm wondering if they will work just the same this year? My game should be here tomorrow or Friday, I recieved my EA email today and a tracking #, it's on its way here.

For anyone wanting to try Bill's 2003 sliders, here they are.

Before I continue I should point out that each game I play uses All American difficulty, 9-minute quarters, with the following AI Slider adjustments:

CPU Offense:

Accuracy: +14
Pass Block: +5
Catching: +5
Run Block: +15
Run Ability: +15

Human Offense:

Accuracy: +5
Pass Block: +5
Catching: +5
Run Block: +5
Run Ability: +10

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CPU Defense:

Awareness: +15
Knockdowns: +15
Interceptions: +15
Break Block: +15
Tackling: +10

Human Defense:

Awareness: +9
Knockdowns: +15
Interceptions: +10
Break Block: +10
Tackling: +10
Special teams are set to default except for a lowering of Human FG Accuracy to +3. All penalties are raised +5 except holding and facemask.

GrantDawg

07-16-2003, 09:09 PM

Originally posted by jetpunk2000
How exactly do you set the game to coach only mode? I couldnt find anythign in the book, and I can't seem to find it within the game.

If you’re on offense, just snap the ball and let the computer do the rest. On defense, do nothing (except audible) and the computer will control your player. There is no official "Coach mode," though there should be.

jetpunk2000

07-16-2003, 09:13 PM

If you’re on offense, just snap the ball and let the computer do the rest. On defense, do nothing (except audible) and the computer will control your player. There is no official "Coach mode," though there should be.

Cool, Thanks. :)

tucker342

07-16-2003, 09:30 PM

The biggest thing that jumped out at me after playing through for the first time, is that defensive backs will actually intercept the ball and actually knock it down when they can't pick it off. It's also alot easier to get sacks.

mckerney

07-16-2003, 09:37 PM

Just got the game not too long ago and was playing Louisville when their QB ran an option left. He pitched the ball just before he got hit, and it went into the arms of my safety before the other teams runningback took it from him :(

Celeval

07-16-2003, 10:09 PM

Originally posted by GrantDawg
3. I switched to All-American (what I played last year) and played a few minutes of a 1980 UGA/ 1990 GT game. The rosters for these games suck! They rated Hershel Walker exactly the same as whoever the running back for Tech was that year (I don't remember who it was, but he was not an All-American or even an All-ACC player and holds no school records). Most of the Players are exactly the same except for numbers (and an alteration here and there for a standout). What a waste of space if they were not going to make these legit.

I agree about the rosters - I hope that one of the roster makers edits those as well (if possible..?).

FYI, leading rusher for Tech in 1990 was William Bell (161 carries, 891 yards, 5 TD). A solid back (third team all-ACC in 1993 behind Dorsey Levens (also from Tech)); played for the Redskins IIRC in the NFL for a couple years. Obviously not on Herschel's level, though.

Kevin

kingnebwsu

07-16-2003, 11:25 PM

Good impressions guys, keep it coming. The Blockbuster in my area should be getting it in today (Thursday).

sabotai

07-16-2003, 11:29 PM

Found a play that always works. The Option Pass out of the I-Formation has not failed to get me a long TD pass yet. It sucks because I like running the optiont, but if option passes never fail, then it takes the fun out of it.

Maybe I was lucky. I was playing a bad team. I have to try against Ohio State or Miami to be sure.

mckerney

07-17-2003, 12:47 AM

Woohoo! Landed a 4 star linebacker from California on my first contact, just having an assistant coach call him! Yipppiieeee!!!!

I do like the new recruiting, having to pitch part of your program is a good element.

kingnebwsu

07-17-2003, 12:52 AM

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/sports/ncaafootball2004/review.html

http://ps2.ign.com/articles/428/428982p1.html

There are some reviews from some internet sites.

Honolulu_Blue

07-17-2003, 04:03 AM

Originally posted by MizzouRah
AA was the perfect difficulty for me last year and most people's tastes. Bill Abner had some great sliders and I'm wondering if they will work just the same this year? My game should be here tomorrow or Friday, I recieved my EA email today and a tracking #, it's on its way here.

For anyone wanting to try Bill's 2003 sliders, here they are.

Before I continue I should point out that each game I play uses All American difficulty, 9-minute quarters, with the following AI Slider adjustments:

CPU Offense:

Accuracy: +14
Pass Block: +5
Catching: +5
Run Block: +15
Run Ability: +15

Human Offense:

Accuracy: +5
Pass Block: +5
Catching: +5
Run Block: +5
Run Ability: +10

Advertisement
CPU Defense:

Awareness: +15
Knockdowns: +15
Interceptions: +15
Break Block: +15
Tackling: +10

Human Defense:

Awareness: +9
Knockdowns: +15
Interceptions: +10
Break Block: +10
Tackling: +10
Special teams are set to default except for a lowering of Human FG Accuracy to +3. All penalties are raised +5 except holding and facemask.

Mizzou. THanks for the sliders. This may be a dumb question, but how do you know when you're adding "+15" as opposed to "+10". When I see the sliders all I see is a red bar. I have no idea what the + or - is. Any tips? Also is this +15 to default setting?

Balldog

07-17-2003, 05:11 AM

Originally posted by Honolulu_Blue
Mizzou. THanks for the sliders. This may be a dumb question, but how do you know when you're adding "+15" as opposed to "+10". When I see the sliders all I see is a red bar. I have no idea what the + or - is. Any tips? Also is this +15 to default setting?

First zero out all your sliders, then if it says +15 go 15 clicks to the right.

I don't know how well these will work because the DBs are a lot better this year.

Honolulu_Blue

07-17-2003, 05:26 AM

Originally posted by Balldog
First zero out all your sliders, then if it says +15 go 15 clicks to the right.

I don't know how well these will work because the DBs are a lot better this year.

Thanks, mate.

lcjjdnh

07-17-2003, 09:33 AM

Has anyone had any of there games declared a Greatest Game yet. I just finished one with my 3rd year Wake Forest team.

It was the first game of the season. I came in ranked #25 and Michigan was ranked #17. I was up at halftime 24-10 but some mistakes let Michigan come back to tie it. With like 1:30 left in the 4th quarter, Michigan intercepts me and drives to the 1 yd. line but has to settle for a field gold with 37 seconds left. After a poor return I manage to make a quick pass, call a To. I then throw a long bomb to get to the 10, have no TOs left so have to hurry to the line and with one play, I manage to score with 1 second left and win the game. It was great.

Anyway, the final game score was 963. Anyone else gotten one of these yet.

MizzouRah

07-17-2003, 09:40 AM

Not sure if the sliders will work this year, but I wanted to throw them out there.

Todd

Honolulu_Blue

07-17-2003, 09:54 AM

Originally posted by lcjjdnh
Has anyone had any of there games declared a Greatest Game yet. I just finished one with my 3rd year Wake Forest team.

It was the first game of the season. I came in ranked #25 and Michigan was ranked #17. I was up at halftime 24-10 but some mistakes let Michigan come back to tie it. With like 1:30 left in the 4th quarter, Michigan intercepts me and drives to the 1 yd. line but has to settle for a field gold with 37 seconds left. After a poor return I manage to make a quick pass, call a To. I then throw a long bomb to get to the 10, have no TOs left so have to hurry to the line and with one play, I manage to score with 1 second left and win the game. It was great.

Anyway, the final game score was 963. Anyone else gotten one of these yet.

This is sad. My poor Wolverines. Virtual HB will be depressed for a week.

Marmel

07-17-2003, 10:37 AM

Bad Bug:

I was winning a game last night (OK, it was against Princeton), and with a few minutes left in the game they tried the onside kick.

It did not go the necessary 10 yards, so they were penalized appropriately and had to re-kick.

Again it did not go the neccessary 10 yards, so I was to get the ball in sweet field position.

But the game gave me the ball on the opposite end of the field, on the 35 yard line (or wherever it was to be mark). That sucks, I would have been 25 yards better off just recovering the bad onside kick. Bad, bad bug.

illinifan999

07-17-2003, 12:07 PM

I just wish the computer would stop onsiding it when they are down 45-10. :(

Airhog

07-17-2003, 01:16 PM

Illinifan: that anwsers another question of mine.

I always hate that nearly always the CPU goes for it, even when they are down 2 or more scores.

Anrhydeddu

07-17-2003, 01:25 PM

Originally posted by Marmel
I was winning a game last night (OK, it was against Princeton),

Scheduling creampuffs for SU again? ;)

korme

07-17-2003, 02:58 PM

Update:

Shane: Alright, dad says he doesn't know what's wrong.
Mom: Ok. Check bestbuy.com and see what the price is.

{I check, $180, damn, more than I thought.}

Shane: Yeah, Best Buy is selling 'em for $180.
Mom: Wow, that's all?
Shane: :confused in a good way: Heh, yeah that's all.
Mom: You and your brother take my credit card and go buy one today. Oh, and pickup that new game you're talking about too.

WOOHOO

BY THE END OF TODAY I WILL BE BALLIN ON NCAA '04

Anrhydeddu

07-17-2003, 03:02 PM

Originally posted by Shorty3281
Isn't just watching or coaching the games incredibly boring?

Only for non-kewld00ds.

Marmel

07-17-2003, 03:04 PM

It sounds boring to me too.

Shorty, pick up a couple games while you are at it and have a credit card. GTA: vice City.

Ahnry, I am actually using a created school. The Margaritaville Pirates from Key West, Florida. :)

Anrhydeddu

07-17-2003, 03:10 PM

You two must have ever played text-based sports sims, huh? ;)

Margaritaville Pirates. I really like the sound of that.

Airhog

07-17-2003, 03:12 PM

Originally posted by Shorty3281
Update:

Shane: Alright, dad says he doesn't know what's wrong.
Mom: Ok. Check bestbuy.com and see what the price is.

{I check, $180, damn, more than I thought.}

Shane: Yeah, Best Buy is selling 'em for $180.
Mom: Wow, that's all?
Shane: :confused in a good way: Heh, yeah that's all.
Mom: You and your brother take my credit card and go buy one today. Oh, and pickup that new game you're talking about too.

WOOHOO

BY THE END OF TODAY I WILL BE BALLIN ON NCAA '04

Now watch them be out of NCAA 2k4 :D

korme

07-17-2003, 03:16 PM

Originally posted by Marmel
Shorty, pick up a couple games while you are at it and have a credit card. GTA: vice City.

Already have it darlin

korme

07-17-2003, 03:17 PM

Originally posted by Airhog
Now watch them be out of NCAA 2k4 :D

shit, never thought of that :o

ice4277

07-17-2003, 03:23 PM

Originally posted by Marmel
Ahnry, I am actually using a created school. The Margaritaville Pirates from Key West, Florida. :)

Is Jimmy Buffet your mascot?

Butter

07-17-2003, 03:25 PM

No, his mascot would be a middle-aged drunk guy who doesn't know when the party's really over.

Cornhuskerly

07-17-2003, 03:45 PM

I've only played a few games, but I seem to be one of the few to think that this game is unspectacular compared to what I thought it could/would be...if EA didn't go around parading through the streets with screenshots of their new animations, half of the new stuff would hardly be noticed (excluding the SI covers, which are a very nice touch). Maybe it will get more fun as I go along, but so far the game is more hype than substance for me.

<shies away into corner>

Anrhydeddu

07-17-2003, 03:48 PM

More hype than substance???? Noooooooo, say it ain't so. :rolleyes:

rexallllsc

07-17-2003, 03:55 PM

Originally posted by sabotai
Found a play that always works. The Option Pass out of the I-Formation has not failed to get me a long TD pass yet. It sucks because I like running the optiont, but if option passes never fail, then it takes the fun out of it.

Maybe I was lucky. I was playing a bad team. I have to try against Ohio State or Miami to be sure.

I've runit once...and I got sacked. heh

MizzouRah

07-17-2003, 04:13 PM

Wife just called and said I have something from EA in a box. "What's EA?", she says. "Something for work honey"

:)

Todd

FBPro

07-17-2003, 04:18 PM

Originally posted by MizzouRah
Wife just called and said I have something from EA in a box. "What's EA?", she says. "Something for work honey"

:)

Todd

Great call.......give 'em 6.... :)

CamEdwards

07-17-2003, 04:37 PM

I finally lost a game today. My 5-0 Oklahoma State Cowboys got spanked 49-35 by the #7 Kansas State Wildcats.

I'm really really enjoying this game, even when I lose.

Kodos

07-17-2003, 04:54 PM

Me too. Have you tried online yet? It's pretty smooth, even with my lousy 56K connection.

sabotai

07-17-2003, 05:08 PM

Another really cool SI cover. Beginning fo the season:

Title: "Attack Mode"
Caption: "With only one ball, can Cinquegrano keep his receivers happy in 2009?"

Cinquegrano is (obviously) the QB. He plays on Miami. After checking the rosters, I see that Miami has 4 receivers rated 90 or higher. There's only 13 in the entire nation. Yes, I'm still impressed with the game being able to spot these things. :)

mrsimperless

07-17-2003, 05:15 PM

Originally posted by sabotai
Another really cool SI cover. Beginning fo the season:

Title: "Attack Mode"
Caption: "With only one ball, can Cinquegrano keep his receivers happy in 2009?"

Cinquegrano is (obviously) the QB. He plays on Miami. After checking the rosters, I see that Miami has 4 receivers rated 90 or higher. There's only 13 in the entire nation. Yes, I'm still impressed with the game being able to spot these things. :)

Wow, very cool! I am constantly being amazed by new things as well.

Best. Sports Game. Ever.

ice4277

07-17-2003, 06:11 PM

Originally posted by sabotai
Another really cool SI cover. Beginning fo the season:

Title: "Attack Mode"
Caption: "With only one ball, can Cinquegrano keep his receivers happy in 2009?"

Cinquegrano is (obviously) the QB. He plays on Miami. After checking the rosters, I see that Miami has 4 receivers rated 90 or higher. There's only 13 in the entire nation. Yes, I'm still impressed with the game being able to spot these things. :)

Things like this are what I've always dreamed about having in sports games. Looks like we are finally getting to that point.

korme

07-17-2003, 09:22 PM

I think the game has gotten harder, or it may just be I have lost my skills.

I am a cupcake created school (from Alaska, so recruiting is tough too!), and got beat by #3 Miami in my first game, 38-7 on varsity. On '03, no matter the team, if I tried hard enough, I could win.. not the case anymore.

Also, Cincinnati went 12-0 and lost to unranked Utah in their bowl game. Sweet to see a crappy schedule did not give the #2 Bearcats the top bowl bid.

MizzouRah

07-17-2003, 11:00 PM

I lost my first game, 29-24 to Kansas. I could have sworn I saw the Tigers mascot, Truman, between plays, but he's not there on the replays. Wierd. I love the cannon going off after scores, the guys running around with the Mizzou flag, etc.

I'm going to have to up the running game on both sides again this year, not much except for my QB Smith who tore it up.

The new animations alone make the game worth getting, imo.... and FINALLY fast players who catch a ball, can go around slower players with ease! Blocking is much better as well, screens work when used sparingly and the option works!

So far, I'm impressed. After watching that Madden 2004 promo, I can't wait for August 14th either! :)

Todd

ScottVib

07-17-2003, 11:31 PM

I'm loving it too with 2 small exceptions. UConn's helmet is wrong in game... on the Stats screen they have it correct... but in game they've only got the C (it should be an interlocking U and C). Also they list the stadium as Memorial Stadium in Storrs, but it's definitely not Memorial Stadium... it looks to be much closer to the new stadium Rentchler (spell?) Field in East Hartford; then Memorial.

Just wish I wasn't moving so I had more time to play with it. :)

Scholes

07-17-2003, 11:47 PM

Well, I was doing quite well, played some exhibitions on AA, using all sorts of teams, and I won every time. 8-0. So I got some rosters from MaddenMania, and started my Pittsburgh dynasty. First game was against Kent State. Now I realize that it was Kent State, but I dominated them to the tune of 67-10, and their touchdown was scored with a minute left. 600 yards of offense, and I feared maybe it was too easy. I had my sliders set though, on what I thought they should be (i.e lowered interceptions, raised rushing for CPU, etc.) and kept them going into my next game vs. #11 ranked Maryland. I went into the game ranked #10. Oh, by the way, WR Larry Fitzgerald, he of the 93 overall rating and 7 catches for 186 yards and 3 TD's in my first game, ruptured a tendon in his ankle returning a punt in the third quarter in that game and was declared out for 8 weeks. :(

They beat me 47-10. Their QB had over 400 yards, and their #1 receiver had 230+ and 3 TD's worth of them. I would have been fine with that, but they kept lining up in the shotgun and throwing all game. They never stopped. Bruce Perry is their running back, one of the better running backs in college football and he carried the ball 8 times for 43 yards.

Is there any way that the computer will run more?

Either way, I seriously need to work on my pass D.

And I need Larry back.

Except for the Spurrier like computer (shotgun, pass, run up the score) I love the game. The SI covers rule, and are even better when you have the names in there.

That's it for now.

FBPro

07-18-2003, 12:10 AM

I think that the amount that a team runs the ball depends on the "pass/run %" in their profile and game situations.

Godzilla Blitz

07-18-2003, 12:13 AM

Damn you all.

Self control waning...

...and I have to go right past a Best Buy tomorrow morning on the way to a Kinko's...

Must not stop at Best Buy. Must drive right past Best Buy. Do not even look at Best Buy. Go directly to Kinko's. Must not buy game. Must not buy. Must not buy. Must not buy. Must not buy. Must not buy.

FBPro

07-18-2003, 12:27 AM

SuburbanPimp

07-18-2003, 12:51 AM

Originally posted by Kodos
Me too. Have you tried online yet? It's pretty smooth, even with my lousy 56K connection.

Could it be true? Can the few, the proud, the people with dialup connections compete with the fancy DSL/cable modem kids?

Maybe I should invest in one of those network thingies after all...

Mustang

07-18-2003, 07:48 AM

Sweeeeeeeeet...

Actually have seen a couple things in this game that I haven' t seen before.

1. A CB moving backwards with the receiver and breaking on the ball at the last moment for an interception.
2. A catch by the WR and the DB getting his hand in there to strip it out
3. Hitting the uprights on the goal post with the corresponding 'ting' as the ball bounces off. Granted, this may occur in 2003 version but, I never saw it so...

I notice the sound when music starts kind of stutters or echos. Could be my TV perhaps. Anyone else notice this?

Oh.. and as for the EA bio. Guess you can just leave your game on to build up time. I was playing a game, had to walk away for a few minutes and I forgot to pause the game but, turned off the TV. Well, I came back the next day and turned on the TV and an offsides penalty occured and I was thinking. 'Oh shit.. I left it on.' (I had 127 penalties at that point.). I backed out of the game and got Level 2 for EA for playing for. I now have 28 hours logged after only actually playing for 4 hours...

Kodos

07-18-2003, 08:49 AM

I think if the computer isn't successful early on the ground, it goes to the air. I think if you adjust the sliders so the cpu has early success running, they stick with the ground game better.

illinifan999

07-18-2003, 09:04 AM

I. Love. This. Game.

6 seasons in I won one national championship, 5 conference championships, and got invited to the Big Ten to replace Indiana. I was in the MAC. The championship celebrations at the end of the game are the same as last years. But it does feel like I'm playing in the National Title game. Last year's game just felt like a normal game with the added banners, patches, etc. Even though I hate Notre Dame, I made them my rival, and their entrance is awesome.

Can't say enough about the new animations, I love when I lob a pass I can see the receiver turn his head, and how the corner looks at the receiver's head like he's watching to see when the receiver's eyes get huge so he knows when to try to bat it away. Playing against Hawaii, my 3* linebacker who had 89 for speed, set the single game sack record. He got 8. Sports Illustrated cover noticed that and got him on it with a title like:

I think this is it.

SI Title: Records are made to be Broken!
Caption: Krause sacks 8, sets record in Rockets win!

Esquared1

07-18-2003, 10:32 AM

Originally posted by Godzilla Blitz
Damn you all.

Self control waning...

...and I have to go right past a Best Buy tomorrow morning on the way to a Kinko's...

Must not stop at Best Buy. Must drive right past Best Buy. Do not even look at Best Buy. Go directly to Kinko's. Must not buy game. Must not buy. Must not buy. Must not buy. Must not buy. Must not buy.

This is how I would justify your purchase. The game will cost roughly $50. Now, if you buy the game, you will choose to play it often for the next 4-8 weeks. Therefore, that $50 will pay for a large amount of entertainment.

Let us assume you do not buy the game. Imagine the amount of money you would spend during these 4-8 weeks. Beer. Chips. DVDs. Porn.

Clearly, NCAA College Football is the best value.

tucker342

07-18-2003, 10:37 AM

good point Esquared1:D

Godzilla, give into the dark side. It's alot more fun that way:D

Esquared1

07-18-2003, 11:14 AM

Originally posted by tucker342
good point Esquared1:D

Godzilla, give into the dark side. It's alot more fun that way:D

Godzilla, for Christ sakes, it's not like NCAA College Football is like Total Control Football.

*shudders*

Swaggs

07-18-2003, 01:46 PM

Anyone else finding an unusual amout (read: AI cheating) regarding interceptions and especially fumbles and dropped passes by wide open receivers?

Kodos

07-18-2003, 01:56 PM

Not really. Last year's version was picked on for poor DB AI and few interceptions. Maybe you should turn the interception sliders down a notch or two?

I've noticed both teams tend to fumble a lot.

Easy Mac

07-18-2003, 02:00 PM

Does anyone's blockbuster have it? I've gone to three in this town today, and none have any copies of the game at all. I'd buy it, but I can't afford to spend 50 on a game.

RPI-Fan

07-18-2003, 03:01 PM

Just picked this up today. My first ever football game for any new-age system (got this one for X-Box), so it'll all be new to me.

Godzilla Blitz

07-18-2003, 04:03 PM

Originally posted by Esquared1
This is how I would justify your purchase. The game will cost roughly $50. Now, if you buy the game, you will choose to play it often for the next 4-8 weeks. Therefore, that $50 will pay for a large amount of entertainment.

Let us assume you do not buy the game. Imagine the amount of money you would spend during these 4-8 weeks. Beer. Chips. DVDs. Porn.

Clearly, NCAA College Football is the best value.

Now this is some outstanding logic! I like this! Unfortunately, I have a horde of unplayed games already, so chances are I would just be playing something else instead of NCAA 2004.

But this morning I remembered that I had a $100 Best Buy gift certificate in my drawer somewhere, and so...

I am now a proud owner of NCAA 2004! I hope to fire it up this evening. The box sure looks cool.

Yee haw!

Does anyone know if you get job offers from other teams in the middle of a career? If you don't get job offers, can you manually make a switch anyway? If you get fired, do other teams offer you a job?

Now, just to figure out what team to play.

Neuqua

07-18-2003, 04:05 PM

I can confirm that you do get job offers from other schools in the middle of your career.. I plan on stickign with my team for a long time though so maybe somene else can answer whether or not you can make a switch just if you feel like it.

illinifan999

07-18-2003, 04:05 PM

Yes, you can get job offers before your contract expires.

Godzilla Blitz

07-18-2003, 04:08 PM

Originally posted by illinifan999
Yes, you can get job offers before your contract expires.

Outstanding! Simply outstanding! Thanks!

Anyone know what is the absolute crappiest school?

illinifan999

07-18-2003, 04:14 PM

Idaho?

illinifan999

07-18-2003, 04:15 PM

Or you can create your own 1* team taht will suck.

Airhog

07-18-2003, 04:16 PM

GB: I dunno about in 2k4, but in 2k3 any of the 1 star prestige schools are pretty damn crappy. Just pick one in a tough conference for added challenge.

I was thinking about making the game tougher last night. It seems that 4 schools in a small state make it harder to recruit instate which means less good talent for your teams. I would imagine the addition of one more 3 star school would make it really tough.

KWhit

07-18-2003, 04:21 PM

Originally posted by Godzilla Blitz
Outstanding! Simply outstanding! Thanks!

Anyone know what is the absolute crappiest school?

Iowa.

GrantDawg

07-18-2003, 06:21 PM

Originally posted by KWhit
Iowa.

Are you back from vacation? Have you picked up the game yet?

fflix

07-18-2003, 06:47 PM

easymac you have a pm

CamEdwards

07-18-2003, 06:55 PM

GB,

I'm in my 4th sim year and Rutgers has won three games over the past four seasons. I think it's fair to say they suck.

sabotai

07-18-2003, 06:59 PM

I just had me best game so far. My custom team (Stockton) against #6 ranked Tennessee. We are ranked 26th.

They drive down the field on us on the first drive, but we intercept it in the endzone. We take it and score on a 29 yard pass. They come back and kick a field goal and it's 7-3 Stockton at halftime.

1:53 left in the 3rd, Tenn takes over with a 10 yard TD pass to make it 10-7 them.

I get the ball, drive the length of the field (started at my own 12 because of clipping on kickoff). Only to fumble the ball away on their 15!

Our D holds strong and forces a punt. I then go on a New York Giants in Super Bowl 25 like drive just eating up the clock. Because I don't want them getting the ball back. I'm still amazed I held them to 10. Anyway, I manage the clock perfectly and we score on a 1yard TD run with 8 seconds left to take the 14-10 lead and the win. The drive ended up lasting just over 5 minutes. With a 25 second clock, that's pretty good. :)

My heart was pounding as I kept getting a little closer and a little closer to that end zone.

And I made the cover of SI! (My game was the game of the week). "A THIN WIN: The Ospreys inch past Tennessee, 14-10."

My only disappointment is that it didn't become one of my greatest games. :(

RPI-Fan

07-18-2003, 07:04 PM

Heh, my first game, a 10-9 defeat as Rice to Cornell made the greatest games list.:)

sabotai

07-18-2003, 07:07 PM

Hmm. I wonder what the criteria is.

Its Vanilla

07-18-2003, 10:07 PM

I think Duke is the worst team. In my Greensburg State(created as independent), they at one point had lost 47 games in a row. That's pretty bad.

korme

07-18-2003, 11:28 PM

David Tidwell, Senior.

11 tackles. 7 sacks. 1 interception.

game frozen with 2 minutes to play.

:mad: :mad: :mad:

best single performance i've ever done

sabotai

07-18-2003, 11:55 PM

I just got an Unsportsmanlike Conduct called on me. I think it was because I held the ball out at a guy on the other team when I crossed the goalline. :)

Shorty, I feel your pain. I've had that happen to me too.

mckerney

07-19-2003, 12:00 AM

I had an unsportsman like call against me because my running back struck a Heisman pose after taking a swing pass 28 yards for a touchdown. Wasn't a big deal, as the 15 was on the point after and not the kickoff.

Also, the computer got an illegal touching call against me, though it didn't matter because the ball was caught out of bounds anyway (the wideout had been out for a good 20 yards or so before the catch). I thought that the rule was you couldn't return to play and catch the ball, but the penalty made no difference (they would have had the ball same spot and down if I had declinded).

mckerney

07-19-2003, 01:26 AM

And you actually get credit for a sack this year when the QB fumbles. That makes 3 on the day for ROLB #46.

Godzilla Blitz

07-19-2003, 01:55 AM

Hummm...

Played tonight a game and a half tonight, messed around with some of the options, and practiced for a while. To be honest, although the range of options and attention to graphic detail is amazing, I'm nonplussed so far with the gameplay.

My main gripe is the passing game. The camera zooms so far back that I on offense I have trouble seeing my receivers, and on defense I have trouble seeing the defensive lineman I am playing. Also, the graphics are pretty much wasted when you are this far from the action. Sure, the replays look great, but when you are actually playing the game during a passing play, the guys are teeeeeny. Everything else is awesome, but since the passing game is half of the actual gameplay, I'm not sure this is a keeper for me.

I'm wondering though, am I missing something? Has it always been this way, and I'm just not remembering something correctly? Also, didn't the camera angles used to be more customizable? And wasn't there a "look left" and "look right" option? I tried the different camera angle options, but they didn't seem to matter once the pass play kicks in: zoom back, teeeny people, where are my receivers? Even if I see the guys, it's really hard to get a sense of depth this far back from the action, so I have little clue whether my receiver has any separation from the DB. I guess it's nice that I can see the whole field of play, but I'm not quick enough to cycle through four receivers anyway, so I'd be just as happy only seeing half the field and running or dumping a pass out if the two guys I can see are still covered.

I'm going to give it some more time, of course. I'm hoping I get used to the view, and part of the problem I'm sure is that I haven't played one of these games in a long time. I think the last time I played a lot was NCAA 2002 and Madden 2002. Maybe I just need to get my game eyes back.

Anyway, I don't mean to poop on the parade, and I'm really glad that so many people are having a great time with it. I'm really surprised that my reaction was as indifferent as it was.

______________

On another note, I think the hardest team to play--as some one else has posted--might be "Create a School" and make your team a cupcake level team. I tried that and was losing to Rutgers 34-7 at the half (varsity level). Ye gad, my team was horrible. Well, I'm horrible too, but after having played one game as UTEP, I thought the cupcake-level players were moving in slow motion. It was ugly. Rutgers hit an 80-yard TD pass on the first play of scrimmage, then returned and interception for a TD on my next play from scrimmage. Yikes. Rutgers, powerhouse of NCAA.

sabotai

07-19-2003, 01:58 AM

GB...get a bigger TV. :D

But seriously, I haven't had any problems seeing my receivers. I played the hell out of Madden 2003, and use pretty much the same view, so maybe it's just something you get used to over time. It's almost like a skill. The more you play, the more you just "know" where everyone is (even if they are teeeeny).

korme

07-19-2003, 02:59 AM

by the way, FOFC Glory is back for those who enjoyed it last time. Check out the dynasty section

mckerney

07-19-2003, 03:37 AM

I started my SMU dynasty by upsetting Texas Tech, but they lost at Baylor. My excuse there is being that the game was being played at Baylor none of my players could concentrate on anything or sleep at all being they were terrified of the basketball team.

Godzilla Blitz

07-20-2003, 02:14 AM

Originally posted by sabotai
GB...get a bigger TV. :D

But seriously, I haven't had any problems seeing my receivers. I played the hell out of Madden 2003, and use pretty much the same view, so maybe it's just something you get used to over time. It's almost like a skill. The more you play, the more you just "know" where everyone is (even if they are teeeeny).

Yeah, a wide-screen might help. Cost of game: $50. Cost of wide-screen plasma tv to play game: $1,500. Yikes. How silly would that be?

Although my post doesn't make it clear, I guess my disappointment isn't so much the difficulty of seeing the receivers, because I imagine I'll get used to that, but rather that it seems a shame to be so far back from the action when you pass, especially when you consider the incredible detail the game is capable of displaying. I feel like I am watching the game from the stands instead of conducting a drive as a QB. I don't feel like I'm there, on the field, running the offense.

Part of the problem is that my expectations were so high for this game. I'm going to play more tomorrow with some "revised" expectations, and see how I like it.

SunDancer

07-20-2003, 11:12 AM

I moved Montana up to replace Troy State, along with Harvard replacing a team in the Sun Belt.

Knocked off Harvard in week one, got hammered by a stingy Kansas State team in week two 56-14, who were on the cover that week of SI with the headlines reading "Not Part of the Plan" as they were upsetted by South Florida in the opening week. Now, time for our road trip to face the Golden Gophers.

Balldog

07-20-2003, 11:31 AM

Got my first unsportsmanlike conduct this morning after returning a fumble 54 yards for the score my CB high-stepped into the endzone and spiked the ball.

It was worth it, even though I needed to go for two but I won anyways.

Godzilla Blitz

07-20-2003, 12:32 PM

Does anyone know if the prestige of the conferences changes over time? If so, would it be possible to switch in, say, all the Ivy League teams into one conference, and have the conference's prestige drop accordingly?

Anrhydeddu

07-20-2003, 02:47 PM

GB, which is why in the few games of this nature that I have played, I always let QB throw on its own. At least it is better on a PC where you have much better clarity and details.

sabotai

07-20-2003, 02:51 PM

"Yeah, a wide-screen might help. Cost of game: $50. Cost of wide-screen plasma tv to play game: $1,500. Yikes. How silly would that be?"

Not silly at all. What kind of gamer are you if you can't make a commitment to your games!? :D

"I feel like I am watching the game from the stands instead of conducting a drive as a QB. I don't feel like I'm there, on the field, running the offense. "

Hmm. Maybe the 1st person view in the new SEGA NFL game might actually interest you then.

korme

07-20-2003, 03:10 PM

Ladies and gentlemen, our very own.. Glen "huve" Sharpe

http://hostmysig.com/data/unmlobos/73122.php

digamma

07-20-2003, 07:25 PM

Originally posted by GrantDawg
3. I switched to All-American (what I played last year) and played a few minutes of a 1980 UGA/ 1990 GT game. The rosters for these games suck! They rated Hershel Walker exactly the same as whoever the running back for Tech was that year (I don't remember who it was, but he was not an All-American or even an All-ACC player and holds no school records). Most of the Players are exactly the same except for numbers (and an alteration here and there for a standout). What a waste of space if they were not going to make these legit.

As you point out, the 1990 Georgia Tech team has the 1980 Georgia roster for it as well. I am unbelievably miffed by this. One of the reasons I ended up getting this game was to be able to play games with that 1990 team. While having Herschel play in white and gold would have been nice, it is really disappointing not to have the real 1990 team in the game.

It appears the 1980 Georgia team roster is correct with Belue (#8) at QB, Herschel in the backfield and Lindsay Scott at WR.

I checked a couple of other rosters and they appear to be right as well. Wuerfell and company are on the 1996 Gators. The bug appears to be putting the UGA roster in for GT. Again, I'm really disappointed.

Neuqua

07-20-2003, 07:48 PM

When was the last time huve actually posted here?

kingnebwsu

07-20-2003, 11:46 PM

Does anyone know if the "real" Arkansas fight song is in the game this year? It was missing last year and I was quite sad (cuz it's the same as my alma mater's, Wright State).

http://MyWebPages.comcast.net/pflyersboy/mp3/sec/Arkansas__Arkansas_Fight_Song.mp3

That's the fight song I'm looking for.

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to look! :)

mckerney

07-21-2003, 12:04 AM

Originally posted by Neuqua
When was the last time huve actually posted here?

5-3-2001 was the last post that could be found, but I think SkyDog banned him when he chose Miami over Georgia.

GrantDawg

07-21-2003, 04:15 AM

Originally posted by mckerney
5-3-2001 was the last post that could be found, but I think SkyDog banned him when he chose Miami over Georgia.

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Archer219

07-21-2003, 04:57 AM

Alright, I just finished year 2016, with the Connecticut Huskies. We're in the ACC now, and had an awesome passing attack coming into the season. I lost my first game to #6 Tennessee, but then proceeded to go 12-0 for the rest of the season beating, among others:

#1 Oklahoma
#1 Maryland
#12 Air Force
#5 Colorado State

So, in week 16, I was #4 (12-1) in both polls (behind #1 USC (12-0), #2 Texas (12-0), #3 SMU (12-0)). But in the BCS I was #2, behind only USC. The Sports Illustrated cover had a picture of Texas on it and read:

SNUBBED!
Who says Bowl Rankings are fair?

Then in the championship game week, same positioning for all the teams the Sports Illustrated cover had a picture of my team and read:

CONTROVERSY
The computers favor UConn (12-1) over Texas (12-0)

Of course, Texas won their championship game, and the controversy was over, but just for a while I envisioned the glorious headlines if I beat USC in the championship game and Texas and SMU went undefeated. I ended up beating #6 Maryland in the Fiesta Bowl.

Butter

07-21-2003, 11:09 AM

I'm also playing as Rice as someone else suggested. Boy, are they awful. If you want a challenge, go there. It's not too hard as to be impossible, but it is a process. I'm in year 2, after simming the first season through out of frustration. Just try and find a good option QB, let alone one that actually wants to COME to your POS school.

I ended up recruiting 3 lowly QB's by accident because I called a bunch frantically in week 5 of recruiting since I only had 1 returning QB on the roster.

Two good things about Rice... they're in the WAC, so there's a good shot at bowl bids, unlike being in the Sun Belt or MAC. The other is the recruiting area. All of the recruits in my first class (ranked #32 in the country, #2 in the WAC) were from either Texas or Louisiana (with 2 of the aforementioned crappy QB's coming from Fla.). Plus you don't have to play Boise State, one of the WAC's better schools. Didn't stop me from going 4-8, 2-6 in the conference, though. And watch out for that year 2 visit to Oklahoma.

Swaggs

07-21-2003, 11:29 AM

How often are you guys seeing conference changes? I am in the fourth year of a mostly simmed dynasty and have yet to see any changes.

Are you notified of changes or do they just happen?

ice4277

07-21-2003, 11:34 AM

Originally posted by Swaggs
How often are you guys seeing conference changes? I am in the fourth year of a mostly simmed dynasty and have yet to see any changes.

Are you notified of changes or do they just happen?

Personally, I hope they are something that only occurs very, very, rarely. If its realistic at all, you would only figure there should be, at most, one switch of conferences every five years or so.

Swaggs

07-21-2003, 11:41 AM

Well, there are minor switches from year to year. Marshall and UCF have joined the MAC. I believe Troy State joined a conference recently, the WAC and Mountain West have undergone changes within the last five years, I believe, as well.

It should be fairly common...but just not on a grand scale (like w/ Miami and Va Tech leaving to the ACC).

Butter

07-21-2003, 11:41 AM

One of the other forums on this game mentioned that conference changes seemed to only happen with the user team. I don't know how true this is, but I thought I'd share.

Balldog

07-21-2003, 11:43 AM

I put Florida A&M in the C-USA in place of Army, after the 1st year I was kicked out of the conference for Troy State.

Anyone else this Troy State's jerseys are sweet in the game? Their away jerseys have a sort of gray tint to them.

cthomer5000

07-21-2003, 11:55 AM

Originally posted by CamEdwards
GB,

I'm in my 4th sim year and Rutgers has won three games over the past four seasons. I think it's fair to say they suck.

I heard that. :mad:

BishopMVP

07-21-2003, 03:32 PM

Overall, I love this game, but I have 2 problems with it right now.
I am playing on All-American mode, with sliders jacked up +15 across the board on offense (CPU and Human) and INT's +8.

1. Running game still not realistic. I'm playing as Notre Dame, and they have a very good front 7, but it seems that other teams never gain 4-10 yards at all. I either stuff them or they get by my players and go 80 yards for a TD. Not even Vontez Duff (SPD:~93) can catch up to any of them. Meanwhile I run consistently for 3-10 yards, but have not broken a long TD run yet. Now I'm trying with CPU sliders for blocking +19 and RB ability +11. Hopefully now the CPU ends up with 25 carries for 80 yards where it is not just a 75yd TD run and then 24 carries for 5yds.

2. Using ND, I have Carlyle Holiday at QB. IRL, he is not an accurate passer but he did run for over 500 yards 2 years ago. Nevertheless, in the game he has THP/THA ~85 and Speed of 75. With this, I can't get the corner on any D-Lineman unless he is engaged by another blocker. He is faster than Defensive Ends in real life and he should be in the game.

Swaggs

07-21-2003, 03:57 PM

I noticed a bug/error...can someone else verify?

In the classic games section, the game with FSU vs UVA (the one where Warrick Dunn got stuffed on the goal line as time ran out), FSU is wearing Arizona State's uniforms. This happen to anyone else, or is this just on my disk?

illinifan999

07-21-2003, 04:01 PM

It's a bug on the game. A lot of people at NCAA Utopia are saying that other games are messed up like that sometimes. Usually it only happened once, then fixed itself.

korme

07-21-2003, 06:15 PM

God. I probably just finished a greatest game. But I'll never know.

Camera cuts to my create-a-team coach clapping, and whats this, a bunch of black and white flashes and now the field is black with white spots and everyuthing but my team logo is out of color. WTF?

Oh well, I can still finish the game I see.

So I do.

2 overtimes, I win by an interception, 26-23.

BUT THE PS2 LOCKS UP WHILE LOADING BACK TO THE MAIN SCREEN.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

This is probably the third time my create a team has screwed up the color/graphics and eventually froze.

WTF?

illinifan999

07-21-2003, 06:18 PM

I think you might need to buy a new PS2. ;)

tucker342

07-21-2003, 06:40 PM

Has anyone had the fans run out on to the field yet?

illinifan999

07-21-2003, 07:17 PM

No, and you probably wont. They had to take out the tearing down the goalposts feature. The NCAA frowned upon it.

ahbrady

07-21-2003, 09:05 PM

I just bought a new xbox when I bought NCAA 04 last week, because my old one worked sometimes, but not others. Some games worked perfectly, while others wouldn't work at all.

Today, I just finished a game playing Arkansas against Ole Miss in my dynasty. I kicked a field goal as time expired to win the game 17-16. It told me it was the #2 greatest game with a score of 504. When I got to the end game screen, the xbox froze up. I hate that!

illinifan999

07-21-2003, 09:21 PM

Man, I love this game. Recruited a SS, and in his first season he is freshamn all-american, first team all-american. He really flourishes in my usual DIME defense. He is always coverin the RB, and usually ends up rushing the QB untouched, and at least hitting him. Had 4 sacks last season. Man I love this game!

And that is my 3000th post! :D

MizzouRah

07-22-2003, 10:36 AM

For those of you who are joystick jockey-ing the game, are you on AA defaults? ... or have some of you tried Heisman?

Todd

Nyarlahotep

07-22-2003, 10:42 AM

My friends and I are sticking to AA and defaults for the moment. We'll move it up when we get better at catching passes.

Is anyone else having problems with people dropping balls or just ignoring them as it hits them in the chest and rolls down their body?

Butter

07-22-2003, 10:45 AM

I've been using AA defaults. Running against the computer who has a bad run defense is easy. But running against the computer with a good run defense is challenging, but not impossible. Rice runs the Flexbone, so audible-ing to a run up the middle against a 3-4 is usually a good move. That can soften up the ends, making the wide option easier to run. I find that the computer does need some extra rushing help, but still tends to throw mostly. I plan to try the sliders posted in the other thread today and tonight and see if that helps. CPU seems to have LOTS of problems completing any passes as a bad passing team.

Marmel

07-22-2003, 10:49 AM

I suck, so I play at varsity, first season I went 4-7. This season I am 9-2 with South Carolina left. My two loses are to UCF and Notre Dame. My wins are over the likes of 1-AA West, Villanova, Buffalo, Navy, and Yale. :) The good and bad of this is, being independant I can create a cupcake schedule, but even a 10-2 record if I beat SC, I will not get a bowl invite. It will raise my prestige and allow me to recruit better, and take on more challenging schools though. Like I said, I really suck at Joystick games. :)

I created a school and made them an independant, so I can schedule everyone I want to. I will probably accept a conference invite if one ever comes my way though.

Kodos

07-22-2003, 12:43 PM

I'm still toying with AA sliders to get the computer to run consistently, and to fight all those drops by my guys. Haven't gotten to play in a couple days. I hope my memory card with the rosters arrives soon. :) Gotta have a season or 2 logged before Madden arrives.

Celeval

07-22-2003, 01:11 PM

I'm using AA with some sliders - check my dynasty posts for what they are.

Kevin

BishopMVP

07-22-2003, 04:46 PM

Originally posted by Kodos
I'm still toying with AA sliders to get the computer to run consistently, and to fight all those drops by my guys. Haven't gotten to play in a couple days. I hope my memory card with the rosters arrives soon. :) Gotta have a season or 2 logged before Madden arrives.

Using my new running sliders for the CPU (Blocking +19, RB Ability +11) worked well the first game against Florida State (Jones ended with 27 carries for 110 yards, but no long runs) but then I completely shut down Navy and BYU. I think that level of competition plays a huge role in this, so I'll have to tweak a little more.

As for the drops, I seemed to be getting fewer of those last night/today, because I'm starting to get the hang of the throwing power needed. I have sliders at QB Accuracy +15 and WR Catching +15 for Human and CPU. Early on it seems that crossing routes and routes where the receiver stops in the middle of a zone work. I've still thrown a couple picks each of the last couple games though, bringing my total to 25 in 10 games.

MizzouRah

07-22-2003, 04:51 PM

I've read that on Heisman, the computer will run all over you?

Todd

ColtCrazy

07-22-2003, 05:18 PM

I always start with a juggernaut created team in All-American. I'm still dropping passes like crazy, but there will be some other tweaks because the computer can't run. I figure once I get it challenging with a great team, it'll be a lot of fun when I go back and create a no-nothing school. :)

Still, it's kind of fun. My Heisman hopeful is my DB/PR/WR He's usually a DB, but he's a PR stud. 4 returned TDs. 2 INTs and 2 TDs as a fifth receiver. I've climbed to number one as an independant, mainly by scheduling 6 teams in the top 10, all on the road.

SirFozzie

07-22-2003, 05:29 PM

Here's the sliders that I use:

All American-8 Minute quarters

(10 is default)

Offense
HUM/CPU
QB ACC: 11/13
PBK: 8/17
WRC: 12/12
RBA: 9/18
RBK: 11/15

Defense:
AWR: 6/14
K'DOW: 9/12
INT: 8/9
BB: 9/9
TAK: 10/11

MizzouRah

07-23-2003, 12:23 AM

FWIW, he is Bill Abner's sliders so far...

9 Min quarters
Heisman Level

CPU Offense
QB Acc: 5
Pass Block: 0 (all the way left)
WR Catch: 7
RB Ability: 8
Run Blocking: 8

CPU Defense:
Awareness: 0
Knockdowns: 8
INTs: 5
Break Block: 0
Tackling: 0

CPU Special Teams:

Default except FG Accuracy: 0

Human Offense:

QB Acc: 10
Pass Block: 20
WR Catch: 16
RB Ability: 15
Run Blocking: 15

Human Defense:

Awareness: 18
Knockdowns: 10
INTs: 10 (Learn to User pick)
Break Block: 20
Tackling: 15

Human Special Teams:

Default except FG Accuracy: 20
Punt Acc: 15
Kickoff distance: 15

Penalties default except:
False start +3 from middle
Defensive PI +4
Offensive PI +3

Some Heisman tips:

I know it sounds obvious, but look at the ratings for each team--it's very important that you try to take advantage of the mismatches that the personnell dictates. If you have studs on the left side of the line..rush behind them; if the other team has a shutdown corner..avoid him if possible. If the CPU defense has a weak link--go at it. Often. Again I know this sounds like a "duh" tip but I play a lot of friends locally and it amazes me how little some of them know about the opposing team's strengths and weaknesses.

Key to passing (for me): use play action. It's THE best way to get your receivers open, especially on borderline running downs. I cannot stress enough how important the PA pass is in this version. Also, use pump fakes liberally, espcially on DBs with low AWR.

Finally, use subs. The fatigue model really has a significant impact on player speed this year. If you see a faster player get caught from behind, chances are good it's because he's a bit winded.

Anyway, hope they help. I know I'm having much more fun on Heisman than AA this year. JRod, I switched to Heisman this year because losing to the AI on AA was just too infrequent, plus the AI calls a much better game on Heisman.