[nazzman]

The Good

1. Sometimes when the ref makes a call he vaporizes a split second before the background image changes. Please don't fix this clever tribute to Star Trek.

2. The lock-on player is terrific, a game changer. I got to the OU quarterback on a blitz, forced a wounded duck and watched from the field level as my guy ran it back for a TD. Great for those of us who play as DEs.

3. The game feels more realistic in general and is a bit harder to play. The speed feels about right.

4. QBs overthrow and underthrow. The QB can resist the sack and throw just before in the grasp instead of the old inevitable. The option pitch seems to work better.

5. No Robo QB. I got to the guy (both UF and OU) often enough and the 3 and outs were about right.

6. I like the score and time bar at the bottom. New in-game graphic pop-ups look good.

7. Penalties are back, good to see the facemask personal foul.

8. Looks like there can be a running game against good Ds and the basic runner responses are better after '09's regression, dunno about the left stick thing.

9. I like the blimp view before plays, didn't think I would.

The bad

1. Presentation and band so lame.

2. Commentary is the SOS. This makes ESPN look bad. I don't even hear those guys talking anymore.

3. The QB's hesitation before taking off running ruins plays.

4. No crowd interaction. Bring back the make-a-sign and the high 5 clips. Something.

5. The muscles: good idea bad execution.

6. The cement field goal net bugs me more than it should.

7. The AI is smarter. As in, it'll let the clock run when it's in its interest to do so.

8. Agree with those who feel more like spectators, even with the lock on feature. Maybe this will get better with game experience. I don't play to watch.

9. Deja vu factor -- It's 9.5

The ugly

1. The medium- and long-shot visuals are horrid, abysmal, etc. I cannot believe EA will let this come to market with these visuals. I think it was the last demo or '08 that came out all dark, and then the game was fine at retail. This will suck without fail all year long if "it's in the game."

2. The crowd chants sound like some kind of crappy radio interference. Crowd looks like a blob, sounds like a blob. Bet this will be fixed.

3. The cheerleader images are jagged out. They get too much camera time and they just do the same stuff as before.

4. The menus add to the deja vu, only they're uglier.

Bottom line: Whew, it's OK. See you there at midnight.