RFL summary thread
 

Alright, I decided we had enough guys, so I should unveil who got who. I'm happy to say that everyone got their first choice. I debated about going with PSU or FSU (my 2nd and 3rd favorite college teams), but decided to take my lumps with good old IU. If anyone else still wants to join, they can have their pick of the teams that are still free.


Here's a link to the original thread in OT.

http://operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=66227

Here's the breakdown for who everyone chose for their three options.

Fight on for ol' SC!

I agree. Go South Carolina!

There is only 1 true SC. The other is an imposter.

Cartman has decided to represent the Big 12 with Texas, so here's the current roster of owners.

Here's a recap of some info from the OT thread:


Edit: I incorporated SirFozzie's idea of only needing to play 2 humans if you schedule a top 25 CPU opponent.

Obviously, we are locked into our schedules the 1st year. Are we going to sim past the 1st year or just start the scheduling rules once we get into our 2nd season?

I'm fine either way. I'm guessing most people would prefer to play the real schedules. Anyone have a strong opinion one way or another?

Here's the league poll on the matter:

http://operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=66331

I'll need the calming effect of playing as Texas in this league to offset the bitter taste of playing as Arkansas in the other league. :)

Go Hogs!

My gamertag is JLalley. I'd love to get some games in against you guys before the league starts.

i'm torn. on one hand i can be Miami, a nice high calibre team in a city i like a lot. or i can join most of the people in the Big 10 and compete in a conference that'll have more humans in it, but will result in me having to take a lesser team.

i think i may select a Big 10 team - in the NOFL i won't really be playing against a human *too* much, i might want to have an online dynasty that has more frequent human vs. human matchups so that it's a different experience.

Could be that the review I read is wrong, but it said that the commish CAN change schedules before the 1st season. If so, I'd definitely like to change my OOC schedule to face more humans the 1st year.

Alright, had to get a new gamertag because of some friggin server issues. All is well now. Tag = JLalley2

Don't be alarmed if you get a friend request.

Mostly also-rans left in the Big 10 now. Like Indiana! If you want to switch, be my guest. :)

HA brought it up in the NOFL thread, and I kinda agree with him. Once they have fixed the online dynasty server issues, I say we jump in with fake rosters. Who knows when EA will actually fix the roster issue? I don't NEED the real names to have fun. They're a bonus.

So: I'm with HA. Let's roll once we hear that the server patch is finished. I hope folks will still want to play, even if we have to use fake rosters. I don't want to lose people over this, but I'm also willing to go on without a full slate of owners (heck, we only have 11 owners so far anyway). :)

I'm fine with that. At least we can generate the fake names for the rosters.

I'm ready to roll. Just so everyone knows, Joe McKnight is #4. Get to know him, as he is incredible in the game.

Kodos,

Saw your post in the regular forum. Are you still looking for one more player?

I think someone in the NCAA thread (possibly you) said that the Commissioner CAN change the OOC schedules. Is that correct?



I think as far as sliders, we should go AA. Does someone have a recommended slider set for that level? I have not touched the sliders at all so far.

Yes. Which team would you like? :)

I'm in. Give me a few minutes to look over the roster. I'm tempted by the Big 12 North or a school like UCLA.

Yes, that was me. However, only you can change our schedules. Players cannot change their own schedules, at least in the 1st year (maybe not in any year?)

Also, changing schedules appears to cause more bugs, but that should hopefully be resolved with the server patch.


As far as sliders, I've played around extensively with AA and I'll comment on each slider individually:

QB Accuracy: I'd keep it at 50 because going down to 35 or 40 doesn't produce enough inaccurate throws to offset the fact that the deep ball becomes overly neutered and worse the CPU starts throwing many more picks as the throws are softer.

Run Blocking: I like it at 60-65, but I'm sure you could have many different opinions on this.

Pass Blocking: At 0, you actually get pressure with break block up as well. However, this will lead to some more CPU bad throws/picks.

RB Ability: I initially was turning this up as many were, but I actually like to lower it to 45 or even 40. It helps slightly with the fact that any player with the ball in their hands gets a speed boost compared to defensive players (which is to promote their "wide open gameplay" I'm sure.)

I'm forgetting one of the offensive sliders, but this is off the top of my head.


Defensive Sliders:

Def Awareness: I've tried it anywhere from 60-85. I really like how there is some improved defense at 85 and completion percentages come down, but be prepared for more CPU picks.

Knockdowns: At 100. Again to lower the exceptionally high completion percentages.

Interceptions: At 0. There will still be games with high totals, but this helps some.

Break Block: At 100 to aid in getting pressure on the QB.

Tackling: I've lowered it to 40. Some people lowering it even more. Creates more missed tackles and opens up the running game a bit, but there isn't much consensus on this and I've also played some enjoyable games with it raised.


Special Teams:

FG Power: 10 - strong kickers will still make 50-55 yarders, but weak kickers no longer will.

FG Accuracy: 0 - kicking still isn't challenging enough in my opinion.

Punt power: I've messed around with lowering it to 0, but it doesn't do enought to help control the punt return game. I've gone back to default of 50.

Punt accuracy: 0 (still easy for me to hit coffin kicks a lot.)

Kickoff Power: 65 (more kicks in the endzone which cuts down on the insane kickoff returns.)

As much as I HATE Notre Dame, I'll go with them. They are 81, which means they are not the "best", yet have a good nucleus of young players and the recruiting tools.

Plus, I'll get yearly rivalry matchups with USC (EF27), Boston College (SirFozzie), and Michigan (DeToxRox). The 2008 schedule calls for us to travel to Washington (Bigsmooth). It gives me a lot more flexibility in scheduling as an indy. Throw in a in-state recruiting match-up with Indiana (Kodos) as well as regional Big 10 recruiting rivals (along with the big national programs).

Much better choice than FUCLA. :)

Still expect a beating every year. :)

Great choice, Galaxy. Now if IU can get you on our schedule, I look forward to blasting the Fighting Irish to hell.

I'm fine with going with fake names. Let's do this.

Thanks for all the input! I will strongly factor your recommendations into my slider adjustments.

I would be open to a yearly game. It'll be nice to bash both Indiana rivals on and off the field year in and year out.

Well, I really don't like the idea of fictional names. I'm still in though.

Here is where we are at with the check-in.

So far, we have RKG, KWhit, EF27, Kodos, Galaxy, cartman, HA, Bigsmooth, Sir Fozzie and DeToxRox confirmed.

ohhhhh baby, this is what i'm talking about

Deal. Home and home yearly matchup?

Are non-conference rivalries "locked" in (not that I would change them)?

Good question. I'm guessing they are as they always have been in single player dynasties. Regardless, I'm not planning on asking any of mine to be changed if they are against human teams such as yours :)

i'm still very confirmed. still just trying to decide if i want Miami, UCLA or a Big Ten team to face more humans.

Me either. I want to keep: USC, Boston College, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, and Stanford. I think Navy is a yearly game, but I don't know if they are "rivals" (I don't think they have a trophy or any thing). However, it does seem like Notre Dame rotates through the military academics.

Not sure how accurate this is but from a quick google search, ND's rivals in the game are: BC, USC, Michigan State, and Purdue.

Michigan and Stanford should be included (both games of these games offer trophies are well). We have the chance to play for six rivalry trophies a year. :)

Yeah. I figured, if I can, I would drop Navy for replace it with Indiana. If I can't drop Navy, that's fine. I'll just add you to the slate. I'll even let you get home field in the year season.

Actually, IU has like 8 home games this season. I'd be happy for a road trip to ND this year.

That's fine. On the road and at home, the best team in Indiana is Notre Dame. :D

here are the list of Rivalry Trophies available in NCAA '09:

looks like Notre Dame, Michigan and Minnesota get the most opportunities for rivalry trophies.

Good to go.

Kodos, i would like to control Michigan State. i haven't looked up its overall ranking or anything, but it is in the conference with the most humans and has 3 rivalry trophies to compete for (all against human-owned teams - Michigan, PSU and Notre Dame). we'll most likely go 0-3 every year, but i'll have the most fun this way. this will offer a different experience than the NOFL, where i pretty much won't face humans too much and am starting off with a real crappy team. plus, i liked the movie 300, so i'm excited to be able to march the Spartans down the field into the endzone.

Okay. Here's our new lineup.

OMT (aka Adam) on OS has just said today that "any dynasty started after July 23 should not have any problems." (my emphasis on should.)

They are still working on the patch that will retroactively fix dynasties that have been screwed over, but they believe they have prevented the issue that caused dynasties to be messed up from happening again in the future.