Round and Round We Go: An NCAA 2012 Coaching Carousel Dynasty

[DeToxRox]

I will be using kkman's slider set from OS, but I will end up tweaking them I am sure:

Options
Difficulty- All-American
Quarter Length-8min
Game Speed- Slow or Normal
Speed Threshold- 25-30 (This is the sweetspot this year for speed threshold)

Penalties
Offsides: 74
False Start: 67
Holding: 52
Facemask: 60
Offensive PI: 100
Defensive PI: 100
KR/PR Interference: 100
Clipping: 58
Intentional Grounding: 100
Roughing the Passer: 52
Roughing the Kicker: 100

Sliders (User/CPU)

Offense
QBA- 35/50
Pass BLK- 50/55
WR Catch- 45/45
RBA- 55/65
Run Block- 55/55

Defense
Pass Coverage- 50/50
Pass Rush- 50/50
Int- 35/35
Run Defense- 25/55
Tkl- 40/40

Special Teams
FG Power- 50/55
FGA- 35/45
Punt Power- 50/50
Punt ACC- 30/50
Kick Off Power- 45/55

[DeToxRox]

It's the end of November in Birmingham, Alabama. The 2011 Alabama High School Football playoffs have just ended, headlined by Coffeeville High School winning the 1A State Title capping off a miraculous perfect season. Coffeeville first year head coach Buster Stallworth is headed home from the celebration when his phone rings. Despite it being nearly three in the morning, Stallworth picks up the phone, his words slurring thanks to the numerous drinks bought for him throughout the night.

"Ugh, hello?"

Stallworth spots the Taxi he called earlier and begins headed towards it. His mind is clearly focused on getting home and not the phone call he just received.

"Yeah this is he-- HEY TAXI HOLD ON! Listen man, I'm gonna' have to call you back. Thanks for the congratulations though."

Stallworth is half in the cab when he stops dead in his tracks.

"You want me to do what? Holy hell. No, I don't need to think about it. You got yourselves a deal!"

Stallworth gets into the Taxi and subsequently speeds off into the night.

[DeToxRox]

A week later the UAB Blazers have announced that rising Alabama High School football coach Buster Stallworth has accepted the position of Defensive Coordinator, as well as Recruiting Coordinator, on Head Coach Neil Callaway's staff. Being that it is UAB there is no press conference because there is no real interest in the news. Many speculate that Callaway will be out the door at the years end anyway, ending a poor run as UAB Head Coach in the process. Despite all of that, Stallworth is not deterred as he begins to make preparations for his first year as a college football Defensive Coordinator at the ripe age of just 29.

[DeToxRox]

The Contract

- Allow under 2400 yards rushing in one season.
- Allow under 2400 yards passing in one season.
- Accumulate 3+ INT's in one season.
- Accumulate 2+ fumbles in one season
- Accumulate 22+ sacks in one season.
- Accumulate 20+ sacks in one season.
- Win 8 games in one season.
- Win 4 games in one season.

The goals that have been bolded are the one's necessary to guarantee a second season at UAB. We don't have much talent but it doesn't matter: the time to prove ourselves is now.

[DeToxRox]

Conference Armageddon Explodes

Just when things looked like they couldn't get any crazier in college football, conference Armageddon has yet again broke out, only this time probably the only conferences not affected are the ACC and Big Ten. We will not bother breaking down all of the nuts and bolts of what led to these rash decisions, just know that they happened and all these moves have been finalized.

ACC

- No change.

Big 12

Arkansas, Baylor, Houston, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas Tech.

Big East

North: Cincinnati, Connecticut, Notre Dame, Pitt, Rutgersm Syracuse.
South: Eastern Carolina, Kentucky, Louisville, UCF, USF, West Virginia.

Big Ten

No change.

Conference USA

Army, Marshall, Memphis, Rice, Southern Miss, Tulane, Tulsa, UTEP, Western Kentucky.

Independents

Navy and Temple.

MAC

Outside of losing Temple, no change.

Mountain West

Air Force, Colorado State, Iowa State, New Mexico, San Diego State, SMU, UNLV, Wyoming.

Pac 12

North: Boise State, Cal, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, Washington, Washington State.
South: Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, Colorado, UCLA, USC, Utah.

SEC

East: Florida, Georgia, LSU, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt.
West: Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, TCU, Texas A&M.

Sun Belt

No change.

WAC

No change.

[DeToxRox]

The final whistle blows and in the process so too does the final practice of the UAB Blazers 2011 Summer Camp. It is now two days away from the start of the season, and despite having two byes to open the year, new DC Buster Stallworth is already hard at working preparing for the teams opener vs Army. As Stallworth walks off the field, UAB Head Coach Neil Callaway jogs up to him to ask his opinion of the defense.

"It's pretty damn ridiculous man. These kids need to figure it out quick or else this is gonna' be a long year. I mean hell, here we are with Marvin Burdette at MLB, probably the best damn backer in Conference USA, but outside of Daniel White playing next to him we hardly have the horses to be a dominating defense. We'll make due, but man we need some talent."

Callaway nods sympathetically. He knows recruiting has been tough since he came to Birmingham. He tells Stallworth his ability to connect with kids is precisely why he is also the Recruiting Coordinator. Still Stallworth can only sigh as he thinks about how far away his defense is from respectability. Stallworth isn't able to be lost in his thoughts for long however, as Callaway next asks Stallworth how his most recent visit to TCU was. The reason for the visit was to pick the brain of TCU head man Gary Patterson regarding the Horned Frogs wolverine like 4-2-5 defense.

"It went as well as you might imagine. I just wish we had that man's talent. woowhee! Them boys were flying to the ball. Still, with what we have at linebacker with Burdette and White, we should be able to run a 4-2-5 effectively. Gotta' keep adding talent to the lines and the secondary though."

Callaway smiles and tells Stallworth that he has faith in Stallworth's coaching ability. Callaway also tells Stallworth that his defense is playing against one of the best signal callers in the conference, Bryan Ellis, in practice every day which only can benefit the defense. Stallworth nods.

"Ellis can ball, man. He just has a nack for it. If that kid can stay healthy, we can possibly sneak a 6-6 record this year. It ain't pretty and it ain't much bit hell if we do that then things will damn sure start picking up. Anyway, I need to get out of here to make some recruiting calls. Gotta' keep plugging away on the recruiting trail if we'll ever turn this one around."

[DeToxRox]

College Football News UAB Capsule

The 2011-12 UAB Blazers will be a morbidly curious team to follow throughout the season. They feature two elite players by Conference USA standards in Senior QB Bryan Ellis (82) as well as Junior MLB Burdette (84), but they lack the necessary talent to compete in a now incredibly Conference USA. It is hard to imagine this team winning more then four games, though with their weak schedule it is possible. For now though there are just too any question marks to think of this team as anything more than a 4-8 squad. We pick them to finish 9th in the conference, but could finish as high as 5th with all the right bounces.

2011 UAB Schedule

Week 1: Open
Week 2: Open
Week 3: @ Army
Week 4: Tulane
Week 5: Open
Week 6: UCF
Week 7: @ Western Kentucky
Week 8: Tulsa
Week 9: @ #20 Florida
Week 10: @ Marshall
Week 11: @ Troy
Week 12: Memphis
Week 13: @ Southern Miss
Week 14: UTEP
Week 15: Rice

[DeToxRox]

Week 1: Open/Recruiting

Heading into 2012 recruiting we have needs at FS (2), C (2), FB (2), T (1), CB (1), SS (1). Obviously we'll send offers out to offensive kids but recruiting kids to build up a defense is our main goal. There are four guys we deem nearly unattainable but they are without question our top priorities. Those kids are:

4* MLB Skip Odom (5'11, 205 lbs)
Vidor, TX
SPARQ: 73.0

4* DT Travis Williams (6'3, 310 lbs)
Waycross, GA
SPARQ: 66.0

4* OLB Allen Webb (6', 208 lbs)
Odessa, TX
SPARQ: 73.0

3* CB Freddie Brown (5'10, 178 lbs)
Titusville, FL
SPARQ: 67.0

We are ready to promise these guys the world to get them to come here and even then I am positive it won't be enough. Still, to build a dominant defense you need dominant players so we will pursue these types of kids through hell and high water.

[DeToxRox]

Week 2: Open/Recruiting

We get some good news from Freddie Brown who lets us know we have cracked his top 10. We currently sit 6th on his list. There is no progress made with our other three unrealistic targets but we decide this is the week to promise them the world, so we do just that. No red shirts and lots of PT are offered to Odom, Williams and Webb. We hope we can make a dent.

[DeToxRox]

Week 3: @ Army (1-0)

Army (C OFF/C DEF/C OV) is coming off of a 28-14 win over Northern Illinois to begin their season. Their offense is led by Junior QB Trent Steelman (79). He has very good speed for a QB (86) so he is going to be a threat if the pocket breaks down. We also have to watch out for Junior FB Jared Hassin (82). The 6'3, 235 fullback is an absolute punisher who is also a threat with the ball in his hands. Rounding out their offensive talent is Senior LG Chad Littlejohn (75). He is far and away their best OL so we will have to make sure we can get penetration on him.

Our starting 4-2-5 defense will look as followed:

LE - Cody Payne (64)
RE - Connor Boyette (66)
DT - Elliot Henigan (79)
DT - Deric Scott (66)
LB - Marvin Burdette (84)
LB - Daniel White (76)
S/LB - Jamie Bender (79)
FS - LaMarcus Farmer (69)
SS - Johnny Cockerll (64)
CB - Maruis Coleman (70)
CB - TJ Ballou (71)

First Quarter

- Army wins the toss and elects to kick. The UAB offense starts off with a no huddle attack that drives down the field, setting up a first and goal from the 11. The Army D stiffens however and we are forced to settled for 3. 3-0 UAB

- Our worst fears are realized on the opening play of the game as Army runs an option pass that freezes our secondary and allows for a 55 yard gain down to our 3. The next play is a trap to Hassin who takes it to house. Two plays, and a TD. 7-3 Army

- After our offense goes 3 and out, Army starts off a midfield. Their option attack continues to confound us, but eventually our D rises to the task and forces a 47 yard FG try for Army. Sadly their kicker is nails and he drains it. [b]10-3 Army[b]

Second Quarter

- Our D stiffened up for two possessions while we wait for our offense to pick things up. Sadly the O just cannot seem to get things right. Army gets the ball back and then a handoff right up the middle to Hassin goes 45 yards for an Army TD. 17-3 Army

- Of course what happens when we get the ball back? An INT. Army now has the ball in our territory. Thankfully this time the D is able to keep Army out of the endzone, but their kick does blast a 40 yard FG. 20-3 Army

- Our D is starting to get momentum but the O is just sinking deeper and deeper into despair. Then, of course, the D finds a way to get gashed and take all the wind out of our sails. We call a 4 man blitz as Army is about to run a FB draw play. Hassin literally walks through the middle of our D untouched for a 60 yard killer. Army 27-3

- The offense gets some signs of life at the end of the half and drives down the field. Sadly time is running out so we're forced to settle for 3. Army 27-6

Third Quarter

- Army's first drive of the second half turns out to be a boon for us as they attempt a deep pass that is way off target. Marius Coleman makes the pick and returns it 6 yards into Army territory!

- The INT turns out to be huge, as our O works its way down the field. On a 4th and 9 from the Army 34, Ellis connects on a 14 yard pass to Accuriso to the first down. On the next play Ellis lobs a beautiful ball to a streaking Smith who catches it for the score! Army 27-13

- The momentum is now clearly on our side as is evident on the first Army play following our score. Army runs an option but Jamie Bender doesn't bite on it and he demolishes the HB, jarring the ball loose in the process. Bender is able to quickly get to his feet and scoop up the ball, taking it in 15 yards for the score! Army 27-20

- Our momentum cannot stop Army on their next possession. It's a clinic in running the option and our team is just too gassed to make stops when we need it. Hassin scores yet again, this time from a yard out to extend their lead. Army 34-20

Fourth Quarter

- After a 6 minute Army drive saps the energy out of our D, we make a stop and force a missed FG. Our offense proceeds to turn the ball over on the next play and we have to send a depleted defense back on the field. Once again, the middle of our D is totally exposed to a simple FB run up the middle and Hassin blows through everyone for a 60 yard TD, icing the game in the process. Army 41-20

- Of course we end up tossing a pick six. From there we throw in the towel. Army scores a FG near the end and that's that. Army 51-20

Army 51 - UAB 20

- Jared Hassin ran 21 times for 241 yards and 5 TD. That's all that needs to be said.

We can take solace in the fact that we continue to move up the list for Freddie Brown. I guess anyway.

[johnnyshaka]

So the Option looks like a viable offense in 12...nice.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by johnnyshaka

So the Option looks like a viable offense in 12...nice.

Well at least it is against UAB.

[Izulde]

Very eagerly following along.

[johnnyshaka]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

Well at least it is against UAB.

I run an offline GT dynasty in NCAA 11 and scrapped the GT playbook in favour of the "Option Run" playbook because it had a better variety of run and pass because running the triple option was pointless. Handing off to the FB was at best a 3-4 yard gain but usually more like no gain and that is if you could even get the ball into the hands of a back before being tackled.

Sure would be nice to know that FBs are actually useful in an option offense.

[General Mike]

Following along. Now to get my dynasty in place.

[DeToxRox]

Week 4: vs Tulane (0-2)

Coming into this game our focus is stopping Tulane QB Ryan Griffin (79). He isn't that great but he's their best chance to knock us off. Tulane runs a West Coast offense so we need to be able to take away those intermediate passes and when they do connect on them we need to make sure there are no YAC.

First Quarter

- Well that is an awesome start. Tulane takes the opening kick 96 yards for a score. Sheesh. Tulane 7-0

- Our offense gets inside the thirty but after Ellis is sacked on third down we are out of FG range and elect to punt. From there Tulane drives down the field but thankfully Farmer is able to wallop the Tulane WR after he makes a catch, jarring the ball loose in the process. Ballou is able to fall on top of it to give us possession back.

- Our offense is able to get some points off of the turnover after a nice drive. We stall out again but this time we are able to least get 3 points from a 34 yard FG from Long. 7-3 Tulane

Second Quarter

- Once again our D is in full bend but don't break mode. We are able to get a big sack out of Boyette on third down but Tulane is able to connect with a 30 yard FG to get those points back. Tulane 10-3

- Our D is starting to get some momentum now after recording back to back three and outs. Our offense is still able to drive but cannot punch the ball in. Once again we have to settle for a FG, this time from 31 yards out but at least we're getting points. Tulane 10-6

- We lose momentum on D after we force a 3rd and 21. Of course what happens next? Defensive PI. Tulane gets the ball at our 13. Two plays later they are in the endzone. Tulane 17-6

- Justice! Ballou gets the impending kick 101 yards for a TD! That is how you pick your D up! Tulane 17-13

Third Quarter

- Fuck. Ballou goes from hero to goat midway through the third. We bring pressure off the outside putting him on an island. Griffin throws a lob pass that Ballou can't get to and next thing you know the Tulane WR has gone 59 yards for a TD. A dagger. Tulane 24-13

- Thankfully we are able to hunker down and force a three and out our next defensive series. After a nice PR gets us to midfield, Ellis goes to work. He finally gets our offense into the endzone after a pass to Shed in the flats from 12 yards out. Tulane 24-20

- On the kickoff our ST makes another big play, this time forcing a fumble. We fall on the ball and we're back in business at the Tulane 20! Sadly we can't get 7 on this drive, but Long does hit a 32 yard FG to put us within one. Tulane 24-23

Fourth Quarter

- Sigh. This fucking offense. Franklin tosses a pick six with three minutes left after our D battles its ass off. Tulane 31-23

- Our offense attempts to drive the length of the field to tie it up, but Shed coughs up the football and that's all she wrote.

Final Score

Tulane 31 - UAB 24

Frustrating to say the least. Our D played well, only 17 of the 31 points. Our offense was miserable however, turning it over four times total. Just an awful way to go out today.

[DeToxRox]

Week 5: Open/Recruiting

There is still no traction with Skip Odom and Travis Williams. We're about ready to give up on those two. However we have crept up to 6th with Allen Webb as we are his only offer. If we can just hold on for him to make it to campus perhaps we have a shot. Meanwhile we are now 3rd with Freddie Brown and we have set up a week 12 visit for the Memphis game with him. Also of note is that we now lead for another 3* DB, Bobby Jackson, out of Georgia.