Making It Tougher on the Have Nots

[StoneCalf]

I had to take similar action. I've never been one to interfere with any school's natural progression, but after Navy had won 3 NC's in my dynasty, I felt the need to take action. I too noticed that Navy remained a national contender, regardless of playbook. So, I gimped Navy's roster, and not just a little bit. It worked. That was many seasons ago and haven't risen back to previous heights yet.

Quote: Originally Posted by jbrew2411

I started about 3 years ago collecting data to better understand why Navy became such a power in most every dynasty. What I found for lower level non power 5 schools was factors beyond human control, not sure about those using the editor. Factors like transfers, hiring fired power 5 coaches with tons of skill points, the number of 4-5 star recruits going to smaller schools because they are not being recruited. I found Navy to pull in higher rated recruits then other schools deeper into a dynasty. I found playbook not having an impact after changing Navy's playbook every year. I noticed Navy never fired their coach and was a spring board for fired HC's to get a year as an OC/DC then on to a new job giving them the top coaches year after year. My fix was lower the skill tree to1 for all small school HC's to avoid them having maxed recruiting points within a few years. I also edited rosters down for Navy and Army to avoid the larger number of 85-99 overall players that both teams end up with about 10 years in. I know it might seem unfair but it is all to avoid the small school powers that out recruit every other school in the game.

[SilverBullet19]

To be fair...Navy is pretty good in real life

I have no problem with Navy, Air Force, or Army rising up. I love seeing the military academies do so well like it the old days. It actually opens up a storyline...everyone who joined the armed forces in the last decade took advantage of the college opportunities it provided. Now they have a large talent pool to work with. Similar to way back in the day, really.

I will probably do this with Texas State, UTSA etc. Granted they have a Texas talent pool, so I allow them to be decent. I just don't want them in BCS title games repeatedly.

[jbrew2411]

Quote: Originally Posted by SilverBullet19

To be fair...Navy is pretty good in real life I have no problem with Navy, Air Force, or Army rising up. I love seeing the military academies do so well like it the old days. It actually opens up a storyline...everyone who joined the armed forces in the last decade took advantage of the college opportunities it provided. Now they have a large talent pool to work with. Similar to way back in the day, really. I will probably do this with Texas State, UTSA etc. Granted they have a Texas talent pool, so I allow them to be decent. I just don't want them in BCS title games repeatedly.

Just my guess here but if you are seeing Texas St, UTSA, and other teams like that becoming powers then look at the coaches they hire. In my past dynasties those places have been stopping points for good HC's that got fired from bigger jobs. They come in with 20-30 skill tree points, way more then some larger school HC's. They get quality transfers and seem to win games.

I think it is the nature of the game to see smaller schools rise up while the big boys fall off. As for Navy, Army, and Air Force(never seen them become a force), that is up to you. I for one don't like seeing them pull in 10 five star recruits each season and win title after title each dynasty I play so I limit their coaches from the start and edit down ratings like awareness and play recognition which seems to work without killing them. I still see Navy win 8-9 games a year like they do in real life but not 13 a year for 3 years in a row like I saw in my last test dynasty I did.

[itsbigmike]

I'm convinced that the option play book for Navy is a big help. It helps Army and Michigan has been a monster since hiring a coach from Air Force with a triple option playbook. Still, it doesn't bother me if smaller schools end up in the national title game. I haven't done testing on whether it's better to have bowl tie in's or not, but I know that having no tie-in's have given me basically at P5 champions.

[Hellisan]

Bottom line is, get some sliders that challenge you, then refuse to scavenge the good recruits that don't sign anywhere (never put them on your list) and it should be an incredible challenge.

[scdb12]

The reason why the academies due so well are 4 reasons:

1. Program Tradition- Because this is an A to A+ for Army and Navy, they get good recruits nationally. Go and look at your recruiting base and see how many 4 and 5 star recruits nationally have Army and Navy in their top 3. Start a team builder team and make them have a A+ in tradition. Watch the type of recruits that will be interested in your team on a yearly basis.

2. SR (RS) - This factor is the reason why many low-level teams do well. Imagine if Army and Navy gets 3 and 4 star recruits, red-shirts them, and develops them. By year 4, the academies are always in the mid 80's overall(overall team rating).

3. Playbook - This game favors teams that run heavy. If you have your coach philosophy slanted towards the run 40 or less, you will beat out a lot of teams when you sim. Army always beats power 5 schools on the road that they would never beat. When you see a team rise to a national championship contender look at their playbook. In most cases it is a triple-option team.

4. Schedule - Because Army is an independent, their schedule consist mainly non-power 5 schools. When you put Navy in the American at the start of the dynasty it takes them a little longer to be successful.

WAYS to Prevent them:
1. Lower the ratings of every red-shirt senior on the team so they will either be cut or won't be effective.
2. Use the dynasty editor and lower the schools tradition ratings after each year to prevent recruits from putting them in the top 3.
3. Super-Sim (I emphasize super-sim because the scores each week are already pre-determined. The only way you can change the out come is by playing the actual game or super-simming the game.)
4. Change each of the Academies playbook from the option and put their offensive tendencies to 50%.

[RoyHahn]

I absolutely agree that the option is the main reason behind Army and Navy's success and here is why. The most consistent power in all my dynasties has been Georgia Tech. They always, in my experience, win at least 11 games a season and are always in the Top Ten starting from Year 2. Obviously, they run the option.

[scdb12]

Quote: Originally Posted by RoyHahn

I absolutely agree that the option is the main reason behind Army and Navy's success and here is why. The most consistent power in all my dynasties has been Georgia Tech. They always, in my experience, win at least 11 games a season and are always in the Top Ten starting from Year 2. Obviously, they run the option.

That is correct. I have tested those 4 reasons time and again and they hold true. Once you realize what they are you will start to notice it.