@martywebb
I've been asked what I do to try to curtail the overpowered success of option teams in the sim engine. As I'm sure we all know, Navy, Army, and Georgia Tech usually become some of the winningest teams in the country due to the sim engine's overpowering of their playbook settings.
Here's what I do to tone them down somewhat.
1. I change out their PBs and give their HCs (and of course their OCs and DCs for when they become HCs at new schools) non-Army/GT/Navy PBs. I usually use Air Force (which doesn't seem OPed IMO), spread option, and run balanced PBs.
2. I change their pass/run ratios. I think this is likely more important than changing their PBs. I believe they start @ 25/75 and I change them to 30/70 and 35/65.
Those are the only 2 changes that I make (I know some people edit the recruiting ratings of the schools, but I don't bother with that.
Here are the records for GT, Army, and Navy halfway through 2023.
GT1.jpg
army.jpg
navy.jpg
As you can see, these teams have pretty realistic records (and certainly MUCH better than they usually have by default in NCAA '14.
GT is the strongest (as they should be) but they've only won 9+ games in 3 of 9 seasons, have 0 ACC championships (which for me means 0 spots in my 8 team playoff) and have won 3 bowl games.
Army had a HUGE 2015, but they've had more losing seasons that they've had winning seasons.
Navy started off slowly with 3 straight losing seasons, then had a great 5 year stretch before coming back down to earth in 2022.
Compared to how these teams usually perform in the sim engine, I'm very happy with the results. With that said.........
There are 2 teams that grabbed option coaches (both using AF's PB) that have been too successful. They're Syracuse and LA Tech:
syracuse.jpg
LA Tech.jpg
Since Troy Calhoun has gotten to New York, the Cuse's worst season was 8-5 and he's won at least 9 games every other season. They also won 3 straight ACC championships and were probably in the CCG a few other years.
Needless to say, I'm THRILLED with their 4-3 start this season.
The problem with LA Tech is compounded by the fact that they're in a weak conference, but their last 5 years have been ridiculous with 9-4 being their worst season. I'm obviously thrilled with their 5-3 start this year as well.
For me, the biggest issue with LA Tech is that I have an 8 team playoff with 5 automatic bids going to power 5 champs, 2 at larges for the 2 highest ranked non-champs and 1 at large for the highest ranked mid major. That mid major bid has gone to LA Tech twice and a few other times it's gone to other option coaches. Overall though, I'm happy with the toned down success of the option coaches by simply changing their run/pass ratios and PBs.
I've been asked what I do to try to curtail the overpowered success of option teams in the sim engine. As I'm sure we all know, Navy, Army, and Georgia Tech usually become some of the winningest teams in the country due to the sim engine's overpowering of their playbook settings.
Here's what I do to tone them down somewhat.
1. I change out their PBs and give their HCs (and of course their OCs and DCs for when they become HCs at new schools) non-Army/GT/Navy PBs. I usually use Air Force (which doesn't seem OPed IMO), spread option, and run balanced PBs.
2. I change their pass/run ratios. I think this is likely more important than changing their PBs. I believe they start @ 25/75 and I change them to 30/70 and 35/65.
Those are the only 2 changes that I make (I know some people edit the recruiting ratings of the schools, but I don't bother with that.
Here are the records for GT, Army, and Navy halfway through 2023.
GT1.jpg
army.jpg
navy.jpg
As you can see, these teams have pretty realistic records (and certainly MUCH better than they usually have by default in NCAA '14.
GT is the strongest (as they should be) but they've only won 9+ games in 3 of 9 seasons, have 0 ACC championships (which for me means 0 spots in my 8 team playoff) and have won 3 bowl games.
Army had a HUGE 2015, but they've had more losing seasons that they've had winning seasons.
Navy started off slowly with 3 straight losing seasons, then had a great 5 year stretch before coming back down to earth in 2022.
Compared to how these teams usually perform in the sim engine, I'm very happy with the results. With that said.........
There are 2 teams that grabbed option coaches (both using AF's PB) that have been too successful. They're Syracuse and LA Tech:
syracuse.jpg
LA Tech.jpg
Since Troy Calhoun has gotten to New York, the Cuse's worst season was 8-5 and he's won at least 9 games every other season. They also won 3 straight ACC championships and were probably in the CCG a few other years.
Needless to say, I'm THRILLED with their 4-3 start this season.
The problem with LA Tech is compounded by the fact that they're in a weak conference, but their last 5 years have been ridiculous with 9-4 being their worst season. I'm obviously thrilled with their 5-3 start this year as well.
For me, the biggest issue with LA Tech is that I have an 8 team playoff with 5 automatic bids going to power 5 champs, 2 at larges for the 2 highest ranked non-champs and 1 at large for the highest ranked mid major. That mid major bid has gone to LA Tech twice and a few other times it's gone to other option coaches. Overall though, I'm happy with the toned down success of the option coaches by simply changing their run/pass ratios and PBs.
Re: toning down option team success
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