Under 24 hours left till ncaa 2005

[Ragone]

wee! :)

[Noop]

I have been calling my local gamestop all week about the game. I think they know my voice by now I called the other day and the guy said I need to relax the game will get there next week. They release it tuesday around here but I will hassle so I can get it monday... So yeah I am pumped like... nevermind

[Pumpy Tudors]

I reserved at EBGames, and they told me a couple of weeks ago that they'd try to get it in on Monday. I called this afternoon, and I was told that they have a list of people who will be able to pick it up on Monday. I don't know whether I'm on the list or not. :(

[Philliesfan980]

If you wanna see some really crazy NCAA fans go to Operation Sports. People there are calling their local EBGames every 5 minutes to ask if they got a package yet. Even worse they are driving to their local UPS and seeing if they can take the package off the truck. Amazing.

I guess I'm not one to critize how you spend your free time, but does 1 day really make that much of a difference? I guess the age group there really matters (being 14 and 15 I guess a day can seem like an eternity for your favorite game). There really hasn't been much out there in entertainment, whether it be video games or movies,that I feel the need to be there for opening day, or release date for.

*shudders * I just realized that I'm getting old.

[Pumpy Tudors]

If you're not THAT stoked over NCAA 2005, you're either not a college football game fan, or you're getting old. ;)

[RPI-Fan]

they are driving to their local UPS and seeing if they can take the package off the truck


HAHHAHAHAHAHAAHAH!!!

Seriously, even if they DO happen to find the package, what do they think, the UPS guys will just kind of open it up for them and give them a copy of the game?

Jeepers creepers...

[Ragone]

I get this vision of 100 crazed ncaa 2005 fans shaking and rocking a ups truck to tip it over and take a copy of ncaa 2005

[HornedFrog Purple]

By pure chance, there was a sticker coupon on the front of my Sunday paper with 10% off from Gamestop where I happened to preorder it anyways.

Between the Circuit City clearance where I got 8 x-box games for $40 and this The Boss will have plenty of ammo for one of her "projects".

I predict a complete relandscaping of the front yard.

[MizzouRah]

I once drove 100 miles to get a copy of FPS Baseball '98. Boy was I pissed off when the game wouldn't even play after loading it. Lesson learned.


Todd

[Philliesfan980]

If you're not THAT stoked over NCAA 2005, you're either not a college football game fan, or you're getting old. ;)


Haha! I love the game and college football itself. I guess its just that I'm busy enough with work and other things that if I don't get it even until this weekend I'll live :)

[nilodor]

I am so stoked. I have never looked forward to a game so much.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Haha! I love the game and college football itself. I guess its just that I'm busy enough with work and other things that if I don't get it even until this weekend I'll live :)

Then you're getting old!

[General Mike]

I can't wait til Tuesday.

Go Scarlet Knights! ;)

[Ragone]

Mike.. shouldn't you add Louisville.. Cincinnati and Marquette to your list of teams you hate? :P

[MizzouRah]

I'm wondering if I should take a crappy team and work my way up or start with the Tigers? Hmmm... I'm thinking Black & Gold!


Todd

[Eaglesfan27]

I won't be able to resist a dynasty with USC. Once that dynasty becomes too boring from constant domination, then I will start a crappy team - maybe Army again. Maybe this time, I'll actually finish a dynasty.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I won't be able to resist a dynasty with USC. Once that dynasty becomes too boring from constant domination, then I will start a crappy team - maybe Army again. Maybe this time, I'll actually finish a dynasty.

Any word on if you're getting your game Monday? If so, I may just have to run over to the Uptown store instead of the New Orleans Centre store (assuming that I'm not on their "list" of people who can get it Monday).

Pumpy's pumped! :)

[MJ4H]

If you're not THAT stoked over NCAA 2005, you're either not a college football game fan, or you're getting old. ;)

or you were totally disillusioned by the previous incarnations of the game.

[Kodos]

I got the call from EB today. It'll be in by 4pm tomorrow! :)

[Eaglesfan27]

Any word on if you're getting your game Monday? If so, I may just have to run over to the Uptown store instead of the New Orleans Centre store (assuming that I'm not on their "list" of people who can get it Monday).

Pumpy's pumped! :)

I was told that I *may* be able to pick it up in the late afternoon/early evening of Monday when I asked on Friday. There is no particular list at this store. They just aren't sure if they will have it available by Monday afternoon/evening or not til Tuesday morning. I was told it will definitely be available by Tuesday morning at the latest.

I'll post on here tomorrow afternoon if I get it (I'm glad I get done work at 4:00 PM tomorrow :) )

Edited to add: I'm also glad that I have enough control of my schedule to give myself Tuesday completely off :)

[Pumpy Tudors]

or you were totally disillusioned by the previous incarnations of the game.

Then you're old too. Thanks for playing.

[Cringer]

I have to wait for next weekend, no choice unless I don't have to leave for the road tomorrow as normal. Thats ok, I would rather get home and play it on my 53" widescreen then play it first on the 9" TV take on the truck.........

I wasn't even going to buy this game this year since I got it last year. I usually only get console sports games every other year, and with Gran Turismo 4 and some other games coming out this fall I figured I better save for those. Then I saw the new features and started to droul........i want it

[thealmighty]

The Rangers are in 1st place. It can't be time for football yet, can it? It must still be April, right? http://www.fof-ihof.com/phpBB2/images/smiles/icon_highfive.gif (http://java_script_:emoticon(':highfive:')/)

[sooner333]

Damn, Xbox doesn't get into Norman until Tuesday morning, however, they are getting half of their ps2 orders monday evening, so i'll just play with my ps2 friends until late at night, then Xbox Live!

[Sharpieman]

I ordered it online because our local stores had trouble with angry fans last year, they decided to give out coupons to those who bought it through the gamespot store. I got it 10% off, but since it's going to ship overnight and arrive Tuesday, I'll still have to pay the same price as those who go into the store and buy it. On the plus side, I don't to be around 20 angry nerds in a small store this year.

[ice4277]

I'll be getting it probably Tuesday or Wednesday, but since I won't be starting a career until I can get a roster set, I'm not in that big of a hurry.

[General Mike]

Mike.. shouldn't you add Louisville.. Cincinnati and Marquette to your list of teams you hate? :P

Not quite yet. The teams I hate have quite the asshat contingency in their fandom from my dealings. I have not observed this as of yet from the teams coming into the Big East.

[scooper]

Trust me, you will learn to dislike the Cincinnati basketball fans, at least the ones who can figure out how to turn on a computer and type.

[Balldog]

Woohoo, picking the game up tonight at 6:30.

[General Mike]

Trust me, you will learn to dislike the Cincinnati basketball fans, at least the ones who can figure out how to turn on a computer and type.

I look forward to some good games against the Bearcats. Rutgers may not be great on the road, but the RAC is the best homecourt in the Big East.

[cthomer5000]

I look forward to some good games against the Bearcats. Rutgers may not be great on the road, but the RAC is the best homecourt in the Big East.You can't mess with Rutgers at home.

BTW, Mike - did you hear about the committment from the tackle from Don Bosco? Looks like it's shaping up to be another 'best recruiting class ever' type of year. http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

edit - link in case you hadn't heard/read about it:
http://www.nj.com/hssports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-4/108961878927330.xml

[MizzouRah]

Going by Gamestop around 3-4pm, they said the game should be there by then.

Woo hoo!


Todd

[INDalltheway]

I hate you guys that actually have "game stores" in your area. I have a gamestop that is located 35 miles from my house, but it is a piece of shit that only cares about those shitty nerd games I don't like. They wouldn't go pick up a shipment to get it to their customers a day earlier. Instead I have to buy most of my games online, and of course this year I chose the wrong company. EBgames sent out their orders on friday so people would get their games today, while Gamestop is sending their's out today. Oh well, one day wont kill me. They are really testing a 17 year old...

[Jets80]

Can only the people with the "pre-orders" get a copy today? Just called the EB GAmes by my house and they told me with no pre order I had to wait till tommorow. :(

[General Mike]

You can't mess with Rutgers at home.

BTW, Mike - did you hear about the committment from the tackle from Don Bosco? Looks like it's shaping up to be another 'best recruiting class ever' type of year. http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

edit - link in case you hadn't heard/read about it:
http://www.nj.com/hssports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-4/108961878927330.xml

Yes, I did hear about it. Getting Roche almost makes up for Monroe getting away to Virginia :mad: This year, if the football team can put up a good year (go to a bowl), I think a top 25 class is definitely in the cards.

[MizzouRah]

I hate you guys that actually have "game stores" in your area. I have a gamestop that is located 35 miles from my house, but it is a piece of shit that only cares about those shitty nerd games I don't like. They wouldn't go pick up a shipment to get it to their customers a day earlier. Instead I have to buy most of my games online, and of course this year I chose the wrong company. EBgames sent out their orders on friday so people would get their games today, while Gamestop is sending their's out today. Oh well, one day wont kill me. They are really testing a 17 year old...
Off hand, we have 3 gamestops and 4 Eb games within a 50 mile radius. :)


Todd

[Balldog]

Can only the people with the "pre-orders" get a copy today? Just called the EB GAmes by my house and they told me with no pre order I had to wait till tommorow. :(

Pretty sure, I just preordered mine today at lunch and I am getting it tonight. I got lucky I suppose.

[KevinNU7]

I'm starting a franchise with two of my buddies tomorrow.

We will move all the MAAC teams to IAA and move all the America East teams to the MAAC

[Senator]

So, what is the big deal? Is there that much difference between 04 and 05?

There are some serious excitement about this. Were you this excited last year?

What the hell am I missing? The lemming gene?

[rkmsuf]

So, what is the big deal? Is there that much difference between 04 and 05?

There are some serious excitement about this. Were you this excited last year?

What the hell am I missing? The lemming gene?

Bigger boobs on the cheerleaders

[Senator]

Then GET OUT OF MY WAY!! I AM IN!

[Balldog]

So, what is the big deal? Is there that much difference between 04 and 05?

There are some serious excitement about this. Were you this excited last year?

What the hell am I missing? The lemming gene?

This series always has some serious hype, I know around here if you don't preorder you better not plan on getting it for a while.

[Senator]

Lots of love for Lee Corso I guess.

[Sun Tzu]

I don't know what sets all of those other gamestops apart from the one closest to my place, but I called and they still insist they aren't going to get it in until TOMMOROW AFTERNOON. Now explain to me, that when the gamestop is located in the <i>same city</i> as the Electronic Arts headquarters, how it takes nearly 48 hours to get a shipment of games?

[mauchow]

I wasn't planning on getting it, but the hype itself always gets me.

Bleh! I'll play my money's worth within the first month then I'll trade it in for Madden.

[gstelmack]

Now explain to me, that when the gamestop is located in the same city as the Electronic Arts headquarters, how it takes nearly 48 hours to get a shipment of games?
Because they probably don't ship from EA HQ, they ship from wherever the game was actually manufactured.

[Noop]

The wait is hurting me right now...

[Sun Tzu]

Bleh! I'll play my money's worth within the first month then I'll trade it in for Madden.

Blasphemy!

Because they probably don't ship from EA HQ, they ship from wherever the game was actually manufactured.

I would think they would manufacture the game in more than one place. I just called a couple other places around here, and there's an EB games that doesn't expect to get the game in until Wednesday. Crazy...

[Balldog]

SOB, I just got a call from the little league baseball coach who I told while I was drunk Saturday that I would ump his game at 6:30! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!

[Senator]

SOB, I just got a call from the little league baseball coach who I told while I was drunk Saturday that I would ump his game at 6:30! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!

This has to be the feel good story of the year.

[rkmsuf]

SOB, I just got a call from the little league baseball coach who I told while I was drunk Saturday that I would ump his game at 6:30! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!

Strike, strike, strike, strike, strike, strike...

"Out!"

"He beat that by 5 steps!!!!"

"Doesn't matter he was out!"

[Balldog]

Just called they should have it between 5:30 and 6:00 which does not give me enough time and they are only open until 9:00 which means I am going to have to haul ass or call every kid out no matter what.

[Balldog]

Doh, you beat me.

[ice4277]

Eh, its not the end of the world.


Unless, of course, you somehow lose posts.

[sooner333]

Hey, like I said earlier, for some reason GameStop can't get the Xbox version until tomorrow...so just because you made a drunken promise you didn't mean, but can't get out of doesn't mean you're the only one to not get the game tonight. I've been waiting for this game for months.

[MizzouRah]

I'm just really interested in the dynasty mode this time around. Recruiting should be even better now.


Though the overall look of Dynasty hasn't changed, a few new additions will make for a deeper experience than in previous seasons. The Sports Illustrated covers return, but they are a little better put together in terms of the images used and the variety in headlines. They've also seen the addition of a 25 Toughest Places to Play section, which ranks the toughest houses in the game. This is dynamic and will change depending on how teams do throughout the seasons of your Dynasty. Can you turn Qualcomm Stadium into the most feature place on Earth? Please stop laughing.


This season player management will be a lot more important. Team discipline is going to matter and if you're not careful, you may end up in some heat from the NCAA. In an attempt to mirror real life, players may commit infractions during the year. Some are minor, like missing curfew or getting some bad grades, others might be more severe. If you ignore the infractions, the NCAA will eventually shut your ass down, but you have a limited number of discipline points to spend throughout the year, so you may only want to sit your party-hardy halfback for the first half of a game instead of benching him for the week.

<!--start image table --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=460 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://media.ign.com/images/ign/pixy.gif</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle width=460>http://xboxmedia.ign.com/xbox/image/article/521/521410/ncaa-football-2005-20040604055546296-000.jpg
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=460 border=0><TBODY></TBODY></TABLE><TR><TD height=15> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!--end image table -->

Along with disciplining your kids, you'll also need to keep them happy at the school. Deny a talented kid playing time and he may try and transfer to another school at the end of the year or even try and go pro early. You can attempt to talk a wayward student from leaving your program early, but your attitude and the team's discipline (and likely it's ability to win games) are all factors in the player's ultimate decision. Recruiting and training are also important and expect some greater details on the offseason soon enough. But it's player management that's made the biggest Dynasty splash. Some other new features will help make Dynasty better, even though they aren't exclusive to being in the franchise mode. For the first time you can create your own playbook. Now add that to the ability to create a school, better player creation tools, and creating a stadium that is designed to shake the rafter, and you can truly make your own team from top to bottom. Time for me to make Team Hangover with Captain Morgan at QB and Bud Draft at wideout.

Ok, I'm on my way to Gamestop now.


Todd

[Kodos]

So, what is the big deal? Is there that much difference between 04 and 05?

There are some serious excitement about this. Were you this excited last year?

What the hell am I missing? The lemming gene?

I think because many people agree that it is the best video football game most years, better than ESPN or Madden. The homefield advantage thing sounds cool, rotating conference schedules have been implemented, yada yada yada. It's weird. I vastly prefer the NFL over college football, yet I spend a lot more time playing NCAA last year.

[WSUCougar]

I think because many people agree that it is the best video football game most years, better than ESPN or Madden. The homefield advantage thing sounds cool, rotating conference schedules have been implemented, yada yada yada. It's weird. I vastly prefer the NFL over college football, yet I spend a lot more time playing NCAA last year.
I am intrigued, but have zero experience and very little interest in console/action style of football games where you control the player(s), throw the passes, etc. Can you play the game without that?

[Sharpieman]

Damn order is still processing. I guess I'll get it tomorrow at some time. Hopefully before noon. I must resist the urge to call UPS up and ask them about shipping times.

[KevinNU7]

rotating conference schedules have been implemented.
thanks god

[Noop]

I am intrigued, but have zero experience and very little interest in console/action style of football games where you control the player(s), throw the passes, etc. Can you play the game without that?
Honestly I swear they copied front office football because it is starting to sim very much like Jim's game. Anyway it is a good sim and very stable although over time teams like North Texas and TCU tend to become the new powerhouses while the ones we have now fade away. So if you like to sim you could do that and be able to play the game yourself if you so chose too. I always play top-10 teams just to be the only one undefeated at the end of the season because sometimes you will have 4-6 unbeaten teams at the start of the bowl season and it just doesn't look right... *Excuse the grammar*

[MizzouRah]

Named rosters are set to come out Thursday at the latest, according to Blacklover at www.geekrosters.com (http://www.geekrosters.com) - woo hoo!

Todd

[MizzouRah]

dola,

I'm in agreement with Kodos here. NCAA has been the best console football game the last few years. The immersion level is very high as well... and hopefully it has gotten much better this year.

Todd

[Cards4ever]

This has to be the feel good story of the year.

Don't you just love the news from the Trailer Park?!

[sabotai]

I am intrigued, but have zero experience and very little interest in console/action style of football games where you control the player(s), throw the passes, etc. Can you play the game without that?

I'm not entirely sure, because I never used it, but I think there is a "Coach Mode". This is where you call the plays, but don't control the players. I think several people here play their console sports games that way, but I'm not sure if there is a coach mode in NCAA.

[Logan]

Yes, I did hear about it. Getting Roche almost makes up for Monroe getting away to Virginia :mad: This year, if the football team can put up a good year (go to a bowl), I think a top 25 class is definitely in the cards.

I've actually been meaning to ask you this. Are you the one who linked over to this forum when talking about TCY on the Rutgers Rivals board? Forgot the user name that made the post...

[Balldog]

Don't you just love the news from the Trailer Park?!

lol

[Eaglesfan27]

Pumpy - I got off work and rushed over to the EB games on my way home, but they said because they were a new store and didn't have "enough" pre-orders (the store only opened a few weeks ago), they didn't get priority in the shipping process :(

They said they are positive the game will be there by noon tomorrow. So, hopefully, I will be playing tomorrow afternoon. For tonight, I'll just have to stick to SMAC which I'm having fun with and maybe some CM 03/04.

[mauchow]

Damn order is still processing. I guess I'll get it tomorrow at some time. Hopefully before noon. I must resist the urge to call UPS up and ask them about shipping times.

I just got back from Wal-mart and they said they'll have it on the shelves this evening-midnight sometime. Yay.

[MJ4H]

Then you're old too. Thanks for playing.

No. All EA Sports games have cheat AI. I could be 5 years old and would still hate them.

[Philliesfan980]

What I'm really curious about is can I play a good "coach" mode game, or even a good CPU vs CPU game?

[mrsimperless]

In my experience the "coach mode" has always been seriously lacking and will generate unrealistic results. Hopefully they have implemented box scores this year (as Madden did last year) and we simmers will be in heaven once again. I didn't even play one game of Madden last year, but I spent countless hours simming through seasons happy to gauge my progress via box scores and stats. Granted, the box scores weren't near as in depth as a pure sim, but it was a nice addition nonetheless. I am keeping my fingers crossed for NCAA and will find out shortly.

I am with you as I would prefer to coach and watch, but I have come to enjoy taking control and playing in my NCAA dynasties. It's especially fun with the two-man dynasties I play with a buddy. We sim all of our games, but play our annual non-conference rivalry game against each other every year. We always try to schedule it early in the season so that there is still the possibility of us winding up in the NCS game together.

Must... Stop.... Thinking about NCAA!! The hype is extremely bad this year - I need a Newcastle to calm my loins.

[mrsimperless]

One other dolanote on "coach mode". If you give it a couple of weeks ago some sliders will pop up on a board somewhere to help adjust the stats to a more reasonable level. Also, you can spend countless hours of fun trying to some up with your own. So it's not like it's HORRIBLE. You can adjust things.

~Mr. S

[ice4277]

I need a Newcastle to calm my loins.
Just make sure to insert it gently.

[Kodos]

No. All EA Sports games have cheat AI. I could be 5 years old and would still hate them.


I think this is an overstatement. It has certainly been present in the past, but I didn't notice a problem with it in last year's version of NCAA.

[General Mike]

I've actually been meaning to ask you this. Are you the one who linked over to this forum when talking about TCY on the Rutgers Rivals board? Forgot the user name that made the post...

Yes, I did. Do you post over there? My username is MikeR0102 overthere.

[Logan]

Yes, I did. Do you post over there? My username is MikeR0102 overthere.

Occassionally, as RBS05. More of a reader than a poster.

[MizzouRah]

Called this morning... "the game will be here around 3pm"
Called at 3:30pm... "the game will be here around 4:30"
Since I was on my way home from work, I stopped by Gamestop at 4:30pm... "the game will be here around 5:00pm"

The clerk tells me... the manager drove up to Chicago this morning for a meeting and a distrubution of the game to the managers to take back to customers who pre-ordered.

Ok... had a sandwich at Lion's Choice and went back around 5:10pm... "the game should be here around 6pm"

At this point my 32 year old brain says, "Go home, you're not a kid anymore, you can pick it up tomorrow"

So, now I'm home and not really mad, but why not just say, we'll call you as soon as it comes in? Why do they have to call you BEFORE the game is in???


Todd

[Logan]

I called up my local EB a half hour ago and asked if they had the game in. Guy said there were 2 unreserved copies left for PS2. I think I hung up and was in my car by the time he finished saying this.

As anyone who is in Jersey can attest to, its been downpouring all day. I could barely see at times, but I made it there (about a 10 minute drive with some traffic). Walked into the store to see a guy standing at the counter, being handed a copy for PS2.

I approached the counter, thinking maybe if I had done 85 mph on the 4 mile stretch of Route 18 instead of being careful with my life and doing slightly over the 65 mph speed limit, I would be able to play tonight. Now this little shit surely had the last copy.

But no...there was still one left, and I scooped it up. Paid my money, got back in the car, and safely made my way home.

What the hell am I doing posting here now? Off to play...

[MizzouRah]

I called up my local EB a half hour ago and asked if they had the game in. Guy said there were 2 unreserved copies left for PS2. I think I hung up and was in my car by the time he finished saying this.

As anyone who is in Jersey can attest to, its been downpouring all day. I could barely see at times, but I made it there (about a 10 minute drive with some traffic). Walked into the store to see a guy standing at the counter, being handed a copy for PS2.

I approached the counter, thinking maybe if I had done 85 mph on the 4 mile stretch of Route 18 instead of being careful with my life and doing slightly over the 65 mph speed limit, I would be able to play tonight. Now this little shit surely had the last copy.

But no...there was still one left, and I scooped it up. Paid my money, got back in the car, and safely made my way home.

What the hell am I doing posting here now? Off to play...
Good man!

I could drive 45 mins and get mine, but I'll wait until tomorrow.

Post some impressions..

Todd

[Pumpy Tudors]

Pumpy - I got off work and rushed over to the EB games on my way home, but they said because they were a new store and didn't have "enough" pre-orders (the store only opened a few weeks ago), they didn't get priority in the shipping process :(

Yeah, my store didn't have it either. They said 2pm or 3pm tomorrow. I won't be off work until a few hours later than that anyway, so no big deal. If I see you on Xbox Live tomorrow night, I'll challenge you to a game. :)

[Sharpieman]

I live on the west coast, why the hell is my copy all the way out in Louisville? It's expected to arrive here 3pm tomorrow. Does EA not have a manfacturing center on the west coast?

[kcchief19]

I once drove 100 miles to get a copy of FPS Baseball '98. Boy was I pissed off when the game wouldn't even play after loading it. Lesson learned.


Todd Then of course there was the time I harrassed EB daily until on Christmas Eve 1998 they answered my prayers and told me that, yes, FPS Football Pro '99 was in stock. Bastards.

On the topic of NCAA 2k4, did anyone here have the "dirty disc" problem with that game? From the moment I put that disc in my X-Box, I crashed about 30 percent of the time while playing a game and got the "your disc is dirty or damaged" message. I have only gotten this message once playing any game other than NCAA 2k4.

The disc appeared flawless, and I read online that quite a few people had a similar problem but that it appeared to be memory problem -- it happened frequently when using a memory card and the best solution was to only use the hard-drive and occassional copy and erase the saved dynasty and user profiles. That worked to a large degree, but it was a pain in the ass.

I loved the game and I'll 2k5, but if I get the "dirty disc" message I swear to all that is holy that I will shove a motherboard so far up somebody's ass they'll be sneezing microchips.

[Blade6119]

Today, 01:35 AM
Logan Logan is online now
Division II

Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Rutgers University
Posts: 463
Quick impressions (after 2 games with Rutgers - the first a 17-0 win against UConn and the second a 21-14 win over Kansas State...see note on this below)...

Let me first state that I only played a few games of last year's version (I'd say under 10), as my roommates and I were completely into Madden, so it's not like I'm playing the 2005 version after dominating on 2004. Quite the contrary, actually...

I started out on Varsity level, which really was too easy, as evidenced by my easy victory over UConn where Orlovsky couldn't hit the side of a barn and Terry Caulley was basically a non-factor, along with my domination over #14-ranked Kansas State (and Sproles) until I bumped it up to All-American in the 2nd half. Once I did that, it was much harder...they outscored me over that period, but I did hold on for the victory.

The running game is really good. Your blockers actually seek out people to hit...they don't just stand around or chip off the nearest guy. On sweeps and such they will lead the way and dish out some punishment. Again, playing with Rutgers and having a fast RB in Justise Hairston and an equally quick and powerful FB in Brian Leonard, allowed me to really succeed running the ball (and to any RU fans out there--Leonard is a BEAST).

I had some trouble passing the ball, as it is very tough to throw accurately when going backwards or on the run...but at the same time, this feels right, and thats a good thing. Once I got my feet set more often, I was throwing strikes.

Defense has been tough, as I started giving up the big pass play once I bumped up the difficulty. This is to be expected though, as my CBs are both new starters and will take some seasoning. Safeties seem to break well on the ball when floating back in zone coverage. I did stop the run well, as my front 7 is a strong suit, but again, we'll see once I play more on the higher difficulty.

Kicking game is not complex at all...there shouldn't be a learning curve here. My very first kickoff I got max distance and very good accuracy. Something to note...maybe it was just where I played both my games (Rutgers Stadium), but I found it pretty hard to actually see the uprights on field goal attempts. Not a big deal, as once you get coordinated you'll be fine kicking it, but it freaked me out on my first try and I thought someone had already ripped down the goalpost before the game was over .

Minor thing that pissed me off...they have Brian Leonard as a junior when he's actually a redshirt sophomore . Okay, not a big deal until I start my dynasty, but you can't edit a player's class, so it looks like I'll copy down his ratings, create a new player and then delete the old Leonard.

One thing that I am missing that was present in last year's Madden (I doubt it was in last year's NCAA) is the ability to sub players on the fly. I believe this was accomplished by pressing the circle button when selecting a formation, and it allowed you to cycle through potential changes to the personnel in your formation, such as RB Swap, WR flip, Slot switch, TE switch, etc. This is something I would use frequently to put my FB Leonard in the HB slot if I wanted him to run more than a dive or blast, as that is how the great majority of FB plays are designed.

A minor inconvienence, but I guess I can just make him the RB in a specific formation.

Will post more impressions as I play more...

[Logan]

Ah I'm an asshole. Should've checked both threads and posted impressions to both. Back to the game now :)

[sabotai]

As anyone who is in Jersey can attest to, its been downpouring all day.

Which is why I opted to stay home and grab it tomorrow. Besides, I've had some Netflix orders that have piled up and watched a few so I can get them back. Tomorrow, I play! (Hopefully)

[Logan]

Which is why I opted to stay home and grab it tomorrow. Besides, I've had some Netflix orders that have piled up and watched a few so I can get them back. Tomorrow, I play! (Hopefully)

Whoa, whoa...you mean you didn't risk your life for a game? Sucker :D !

[MizzouRah]

Thanks for the initial impressions!


Todd

[mauchow]

THIS is what I've been waiting for!!!
http://psx.ign.com/articles/164/164657p1.html?fromint=1

[sabotai]

THIS is what I've been waiting for!!!
http://psx.ign.com/articles/164/164657p1.html?fromint=1

A review of NCAA Football 2001?

[Kodos]

That should be nice and cheap these days. ;)

[mrsimperless]

My favorite things so far:

- Box scores are finally here!!
- Rotating conference schedules
- The crowd gets HYPE
- Expanded rosters
- Recruiting athletes (non position) and changing players' positions
- Tipped passes