RFL II - preliminary discussions (NCAA 2011 Xbox 360)

[Kodos]

Rivals Football League II

Figured we might as well get to talking about the format of our upcoming OD for NCAA Football 2011. I was originally thinking we'd do something like we did with the RFL (RFL History Thread) from NCAA 2009 where people can choose any team they like. On the other hand, at least one person suggested we go with something similar to the aborted Conference USA OD (Conference USA 2009, Week 1) that we tried last year before giving up on the game due to various glitches (we created our respective high schools in Teambuilder and had a tiered prestige system where better players were given weaker teams to start out with). I guess I am open to either option, although my personal preference is another RFL-style OD.

One option I'd like to consider if we do use real teams is to realign conferences a bit in light of Conference Armageddon. I think the OD is more fun with a higher percent of human-versus-human games, so consolidating into a conference or two would help us achieve that goal.

As of now, the following people have accepted invitations to the league:

1. cartman
2. SirFozzie
3. DeToxRox
4. kcchief19
5. Mike1409
6. Eaglesfan 27
7. Kodos
8. Bigsmooth
9. Balldog
10. cmp
11. BigDPW
12. Gramm

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm open to either set-up, but I agree a re-alignment to get more human vs human matchups is a good idea. If we do go with the RFL style set-up, of course, I'd like to run with USC.

Having played the demo more the last few days, I'm really excited about this league again, particularly with the current members we have.

[Kodos]

Yeah, I am really enjoying the demo. The game seems fun again.

[Galaxy]

Sorry Kodos...I read your PM a while ago, but forgot about it. Thank you for the invite, but I'll have to be a spectator at this time (Wearing my Green and Gold gear of course ).

[Kodos]

Notre Dame freak....

[DeToxRox]

If we end up with 12 players I think just putting everyone in two leagues is the best idea.

[Bigsmooth]

Hey, count me in. I'd prefer a RFL style OD and agree that it'd be fun if everyone was in the same conference or had a similar starting prestige.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by Bigsmooth

Hey, count me in. I'd prefer a RFL style OD and agree that it'd be fun if everyone was in the same conference or had a similar starting prestige.

Cool, that puts us at 8.

[Kodos]

Would guys be open to using their favorite teams, but with altered prestige/perhaps altered starting rosters?

[Kodos]

Heck, USC is kinda doing it in real life anyway.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Heck, USC is kinda doing it in real life anyway.

To answer the question, I'd be cool with altered rosters/prestige, etc.

[Kodos]

I couldn't resist.

[Mike1409]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Would guys be open to using their favorite teams, but with altered prestige/perhaps altered starting rosters?

Yes that would be ok.

[BigDPW]

I finally dl'ed the demo and I am enjoying it.

I am liking the new online dynasty web-based stuff they have been revealing.

If I can figure out if I really have time for this league I would love to play.

Any thoughts about how frequent the games will be played? I haven't done one of these since the first NCAA OD a couple years ago.

[Kodos]

In the RFL, we usually played either 1 or 2 games a week. The pace in this league could be somewhat slower if we have more human vs. human games. I always tried to make sure there was at least 1 weekend day in each gameweek so that people who couldn't play during the week due to work would have a chance.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Would guys be open to using their favorite teams, but with altered prestige/perhaps altered starting rosters?

An option for this would be to have the game sim ahead 5 seasons, so that any of the current players wouldn't be on the rosters. Might be easier than manually manipulating the rosters.

[Kodos]

You mean lower the prestige levels, then sim out 5 years? Sounds like a decent idea to me. Another option would be to re-create teams in teambuilder and then select a default lower-skilled roster.

I'm fine with simming ahead 5 years, personally.

Somehow, I ended up editing cartman's post when I replied at first. Damn moderator rights are going to my head!

Simming ahead would get rid of the need to wait for rosters to come out, which would be a nice plus.

[Kodos]

So are these the correct teams?

SirFozzie    Boston College
Mike1409     Florida
cartman      Texas
DeToxRox     Michigan
Kodos        Indiana
kcchief19    Missouri
Eaglesfan27  USC
Bigsmooth    Washington

Trying to figure out if we should put the teams of our fence-sitters into the conference(s) with us, in case they decide to join up.

Radii would be Georgia Tech, right?
BigDPW - NC State
Wade Moore?

[SirFozzie]

I'd be willing to take a west coast team or a big 10 team to get more Human games.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

I'd be willing to take a west coast team or a big 10 team to get more Human games.

Right now, it's looking like we are going to shove real teams into one or two conferences (possibly Conference USA). So you wouldn't need to go away from BC, unless you'd like to.

You could be the EVIL NOTRE DAME.

[Balldog]

Man do I feel snubbed

[SirFozzie]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Right now, it's looking like we are going to shove real teams into one or two conferences (possibly Conference USA). So you wouldn't need to go away from BC, unless you'd like to.

You could be the EVIL NOTRE DAME.

ooohhh.. does that mean i could sing the Notre Dame Fight Song over the headset every time we score?

[Kodos]

Yes. That way I would STILL never have to hear it.

[SirFozzie]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Yes. That way I would STILL never have to hear it.

OW! i'm hurt...........

[Kodos]

Balldog brings us to 9 teams. He's not sure who he'll run with yet.

[Bigsmooth]

Not real concerned if I get to be UW. It would be fun to just take on a whole conference like Conf USA, MAC, etc.

[cmp]

Any room left? I've always loved being in these dynasties.

[Balldog]

Gents,

If we sim ahead 5 years would we be able to set our recruiting priorities? So if we want to run a spread option attack we wouldn't be stuck with a pocket passer at QB.

[Kodos]

And cmp brings us up to ten. Welcome aboard!

[Kodos]

Balldog and cmp -- have you decided who you'd like to be yet? I'm trying to start figuring out possible league alignments.

[Kodos]

Also, if there is someone you definitely want in your conference (or definitely don't), let me know. I will try to accommodate all requests.

[Kodos]

SirFozzie    Boston College
Mike1409     Florida
cartman      Texas
Balldog      Michigan State
DeToxRox     Texas Tech
Kodos        Indiana
kcchief19    Missouri
Eaglesfan27  USC
Bigsmooth    Washington
cmp          Arkansas?

Looks like the Big Ten would be a candidate for one of the conferences, if we do two of them. Although I think I favor everyone in C-USA.

[Balldog]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Balldog and cmp -- have you decided who you'd like to be yet? I'm trying to start figuring out possible league alignments.

I'll be Michigan State.

[DeToxRox]

I don't need to be Michigan. I actually want to be Texas Tech.

Tell me what I need to do next cartman.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Balldog

I'll be Michigan State.

Gross.

[Kodos]

Wishes.... granted!

Although Michigan State still has Hell Atlantic's taint on it.

[Balldog]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

Gross.

Either way, you'd not like my choice...OSU or MSU. At least with MSU you have a chance to beat me

[kcchief19]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Although Michigan State still has Hell Atlantic's taint on it.

What exactly did he do with Michigan State? Did he think it was a sandwich?

[kcchief19]

I'm cool with any and all of the above solutions. Whether we shoehorn everyone into a BCS conference or two, or go CUSA, I think both have perks. Toning down prestige and simming out five years makes sense, but Balldog has a good point about setting preferences if we can.

[cmp]

I'd like to be Penn State this time around.

[Balldog]

I'm open to whatever, I like the idea of having us spread between at least 2 conference because otherwise we will likely never have a National Championship game between two human teams. Heck, I'm open to just leaving teams in their respective conferences - we could progress faster that way IMO. Maybe mandate two non-conference human games or something...I'm just brainstorming.

[Kodos]

I think probably 2 conferences is the way to go. That way, you get 5 or 6 humans in a conference, so there's a good number of human games guaranteed.

I'm re-thinking taking Indiana. I'm disappointed that their stadium addition is not in the game.

[Kodos]

SirFozzie    Boston College (or maybe a Big Ten team)
Mike1409     Florida
cartman      Texas
DeToxRox     Texas Tech
cmp          Penn State
Balldog      Michigan State
Kodos        Indiana
kcchief19    Missouri
Eaglesfan27  USC
Bigsmooth    Washington (open to other options)

[Balldog]

I'm open to moving to another conference if it helps consolidate into 2 conferences.

[Kodos]

Here are the preseason rankings for our teams according to Athlon Sports.

SirFozzie    2   Ohio State
Eaglesfan27  3   USC
Mike1409     6   Florida
cartman      8   Texas
kcchief19    21  Missouri
cmp          23  Penn State
Balldog      31  Michigan State
DeToxRox     37  Texas Tech
Bigsmooth    40  Washington (open to other options)
Kodos        73  Indiana

[SirFozzie]

Let's see.. looks like I'm the only ACC team.. in the interest of not having to move folks around. want me to see if I can resurrect Michigan or Ohio State?

[Kodos]

That sounds fine to me. Which do you prefer?

[SirFozzie]

Um. Gimme Ohio State, I guess.

[BigDPW]

Go ahead and pencil me in. I really would like to play but am just struggling with whether I will be able to commit the time. I will take NC State - That means maybe SirFozzie won't have to switch. If it is important that I pick a team in league with other guys I will be happy to do so.

I am torn between playing more games vs humans or vs the CPU. I am actually better at beating humans (odd I know) than I am at beating the CPU at least with 09 that was the case. But it will take more time to schedule games vs humans.

[Kodos]

Welcome aboard, BigDPW! One slot left.

SirFozzie    2   Ohio State
Eaglesfan27  3   USC
Mike1409     6   Florida
cartman      8   Texas
kcchief19    21  Missouri
cmp          23  Penn State
Balldog      31  Michigan State
DeToxRox     37  Texas Tech
Bigsmooth    40  Washington (open to other options)
BigDPW       61  NC State
Kodos        73  Indiana