Heisman Difficulty Defensive Strategies ?

[Bondsfan]

I'm looking for some tips for playing defense on Heisman. I just can't play AA anymore, I'm blowing out teams that are better than me by 60 points every game. In the past, I could never play on Heisman, it seemed like I'd get blown out every time. I haven't played NCAA for a few years, but it now seems like Heisman is more manageable.

On offense, I move the ball reasonably and score a reasonable amount. My trouble is really on defense. Against the pass, I seem to get no pressure and blitzing almost never helps. And no matter what I do, I can't seem to stop the run. Getting run against, and giving up 5-7 yards at a time as a team continues to just march right down the field no matter what defense I call is so frustrating.

I have tried blitzing the middle and not blitzing. I have tried running the 5-2 on running downs. I've tried "showing blitz" to move people to the line of scrimmage. Nothing seems to work in terms of stopping the run.

So I'd like to hear from those of you that play on Heisman. How do you try and stop the run? How about stopping the pass? Do you ever get pressure on the QB?

Thanks.

[FLEX6276]

Re: Heisman Difficulty Defensive Strategies ?

Ok same thing was happening to me on AA. I had to boost up to Heisman, when i did that the cpu I could not stop on defense and it was frustrating. What helped me was the sliders from versuz2 you can find his and others in the slider section of the threads. I hope the little info helped.

[Bondsfan]

Re: Heisman Difficulty Defensive Strategies ?

I'm not a fan of sliders. I've almost never used them in any game. Once I start, its a constant tinkering process and I never enjoy the game. Any time I win, I start wondering if the sliders are too easy. If I lose, I wonder if they are too hard. I can't stand the constant changing of the sliders.

I was hoping that someone was having even a little defensive success on Heisman default. If not, I may have to just suck it up and try and win a shoot out every game.

[pokerplaya]

Re: Heisman Difficulty Defensive Strategies ?

I'm not a fan of sliders. I've almost never used them in any game. Once I start, its a constant tinkering process and I never enjoy the game. Any time I win, I start wondering if the sliders are too easy. If I lose, I wonder if they are too hard. I can't stand the constant changing of the sliders.

I was hoping that someone was having even a little defensive success on Heisman default. If not, I may have to just suck it up and try and win a shoot out every game.

Well, apparently the default sliders are too hard and you're looking to tweak them with something anyways...

[Bondsfan]

Re: Heisman Difficulty Defensive Strategies ?

No, I'm not looking to tweak them. I was asking if anyone has any strategic tips, thats all. If they recomend a certain base set, whether to blitz or not to blitz, certain plays that are helpful, that sort of thing.

[Domerhater]

Re: Heisman Difficulty Defensive Strategies ?

I had the same problem. My strategy is pretty vanilla but it works for me on default Heisman. Here is what I do:If cpu has a formation with 2 or less recievers (not including TE) I will go into a 3-4 under cover 2 sink ( play#4 on that formation set). I will play the safety on the weak side of the field. I will shift my D-line to rush to the strong side of the field. If cpu runs I will come up and help in run support. If cpu passes I will switch to nearest D-lineman and try to get some pressure (hard) and then jump to deflect the pass.If cpu shows formation with 3 or more recievers I will go into a quarters 3 deep 2 man contain (play#22 on that formation set). I will once again play the safety on the weak side of the field. I will not adjust my D-line as they fan out and it seems I can get good penetration. I will pull my secondary into press coverage in this formation as they are way back when you break the huddle. If cpu runs I will come up in run support. If cpu passes, I will switch and try again to get pressure. If it is an obvious pass situation (long yardage, empty backfield etc.), I will take control of the MLB who has QB spy responsibilities (no coverage responsibilities) and rush the QB. You can get good pressure doing this as your D-line fans out and there are plenty of gaps to blitz the QB.Just 2 more things. On both of these formations I will use the defensive keys to highlight a pass and then pick the reciever to the wide side of the field (seems to help). This defense is under the multiple playbook for your defense.I will just say that playing defense is now a lot more fun. You won't be the 85 Bears with this, but you will definitely slow that cpu down and create more turnovers and sacks. My games were like basketball scores because I could score at will and not stop the cpu. Now the scores are football scores because the cpu either doesn't score, or if they do it takes them awhile.Hope this helps. Sorry so long.

[Deegeezy]

Re: Heisman Difficulty Defensive Strategies ?

How exactly do you "show blitz?"

[sportyguyfl31]

Re: Heisman Difficulty Defensive Strategies ?

Half the battle on Heisman, is that you MUST have your defense aligned properly.

Example: making sure that your yellow zone defenders are aligned with the recievign options as much as possible.

[Deegeezy]

Re: Heisman Difficulty Defensive Strategies ?

Here's some tips that never get brought up in these conversations:

Learn to play better defense while on offense and special teams -

- Ball control offense (the longer your opponent is on the sideline, the less time they have to make plays. Take your time calling plays, take your time making adjustments and scanning the defense).

- Take extreme care of the football (always cover the ball and use the dual stick control to cover it even better, take very minimal risks in the down field passing game to avoid INTs...)

- On 3rd and 20, get into the habit of not throwing a risky bomb, just run the draw and set up for the punt

- Master punting, especially in situations that you can pin them deep

- Acquire a strong-legged kicker that can kickoff into the end zone and force the CPU to have to start from the 20

[Bondsfan]

Re: Heisman Difficulty Defensive Strategies ?

Press Triangle/Y then L stick to the left causes you to "show blitz"; basically everyone crowds the line of scrimmage, including the SS.

[Jets486]

Re: Heisman Difficulty Defensive Strategies ?

Here's some tips that never get brought up in these conversations:

Learn to play better defense while on offense and special teams -

- Ball control offense (the longer your opponent is on the sideline, the less time they have to make plays. Take your time calling plays, take your time making adjustments and scanning the defense).

- Take extreme care of the football (always cover the ball and use the dual stick control to cover it even better, take very minimal risks in the down field passing game to avoid INTs...)

- On 3rd and 20, get into the habit of not throwing a risky bomb, just run the draw and set up for the punt

- Master punting, especially in situations that you can pin them deep

- Acquire a strong-legged kicker that can kickoff into the end zone and force the CPU to have to start from the 20

Exactly. I started off playing on Heisman so I could learn through the growing pains and after starting 0-8 in my offline dynasty and 0-5 in my online one, I started using the techniques above on my own and I am now ranked 15 in the country. The best way to play defense on Heisman is to be a smart coach. Also, play around with the Gameplan settings. I like to make my tackling conservative so I don't miss anyone.

[Bondsfan]

Re: Heisman Difficulty Defensive Strategies ?

Any suggestions for base defense? I've been thinking of switching from 3-4 to either 4-4 or 4-2-5.

[NDAlum]

Re: Heisman Difficulty Defensive Strategies ?

After going 12-1 with Arizona and finishing #4 in the country, we decided to move to Heisman.

I love playing offense on Heisman, but defense is TOUGH!

Only issue I have is my DBs reacting too slow and the CPU QB being a little too on the money. I was fortunate and forced quite a few dropped passes by using the LB button.

I'm going to drop CPU QB accuracy and up my DB coverage just a tad. Other than that Heisman is the only level where the CPU will truly challenge you.

In my opinion

[DJ]

Re: Heisman Difficulty Defensive Strategies ?

I played default Heisman for about a week and at first really enjoyed it. Then, I don't know if I grew frustrated or impatient or what, but it seemed that the game (the AI, specifically) was doing some crazy stuff.

Like others, it was defensively where I struggled. My D-line could never shed a block and when I would get pressure, the CPU QB seemed to throw the ball just before I reached the QB.

What I did like about default Heisman was that the CPU running game was a real threat. On AA, you have to jack the sliders way up for the CPU to gain yards and even then, option teams like GT that should be a major threat, are not on that level. On Heisman, I remember Navy having a big game against me when I was Syracuse and I was happy to see it.

I play player-lock on D, either the FS or MLB.

Some interesting points have been made and I am going to try and implement them, as I'm thinking about switching back to Heisman. AA, even with adjusted sliders, is proving to be a little too easy for me. I almost beat USC with San Diego State the other night on AA.

[NDAlum]

Re: Heisman Difficulty Defensive Strategies ?

I hear you DJ, but that's the problem I'd rather have. On AA it's just too easy for me, so I'd rather have the slightly over-intelligent QB AI then a CPU AI that can't convert on 3rd downs.

All that needs tweaking is HUM def vs CPU pass. Other than that Heisman is on point.