NCAA Football 13 Will Not Include The University of South Alabama

[BA2929]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Will Not Include The University of South Alabama

This isn't something that will keep me from purchasing the game, but it really is just another example of laziness and incompetence on the part of EA in regard to this game. I would imagine that any true fan of college football as a whole, not just of one team, was aware that the University of South Alabama would be playing a full FBS schedule this year. The fact that EA is making a college football game, supposedly including all FBS schools, and they dropped the ball on this one is a bit pathetic. They seriously should scrap their "if it's in the game" slogan.

I disagree. I don't think EA is lazy. If they were lazy they wouldn't have added UMass and the other two new teams this year. I highly doubt EA went OUT OF THEIR WAY to just not include one team this year. Why would they do that? Do you really believe that the guys at EA were sitting there saying, "South Alabama? Who's that? They suck and we don't want them in our game!" I also doubt the employees at EA have a vendetta against South Alabama and that's why they left them out. Something obviously went wrong in the channels of communication with South Alabama and that's why they're not in the game this year.

EDIT:

An EA Sports spokesperson told a South Alabama blog that "We did not receive confirmation that they were changing to a full FBS schedule this year until it was too late for inclusion in NCAA Football 13. South Alabama will be included in NCAA Football 14."

[crques]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Will Not Include The University of South Alabama

I disagree. I don't think EA is lazy. If they were lazy they wouldn't have added UMass and the other two new teams this year. I highly doubt EA went OUT OF THEIR WAY to just not include one team this year. Why would they do that? Do you really believe that the guys at EA were sitting there saying, "South Alabama? Who's that? They suck and we don't want them in our game!" I also doubt the employees at EA have a vendetta against South Alabama and that's why they left them out. Something obviously went wrong in the channels of communication with South Alabama and that's why they're not in the game this year.

No, I don't think that they left them out on purpose, or didn't put them in because they suck, or that they have a vendetta. What I'm saying is that EA probably had no idea that they were playing a FBS schedule this year and only commented on it now because it was called to their attention. Had they researched it a bit more, or even at all, they would have included them. Now next year's game will have a note saying, "FEATURNING ALL FBS TEAMS...INCLUDING THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA" like its some breakthrough.

[BA2929]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Will Not Include The University of South Alabama

No, I don't think that they left them out on purpose, or didn't put them in because they suck, or that they have a vendetta. What I'm saying is that EA probably had no idea that they were playing a FBS schedule this year and only commented on it now because it was called to their attention. Had they researched it a bit more, or even at all, they would have included them. Now next year's game will have a note saying, "FEATURNING ALL FBS TEAMS...INCLUDING THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA" like its some breakthrough.

So you don't believe any of this blame falls on South Alabama? None whatsoever? You don't believe that EA didn't reach out to South Alabama to ask them directly that they were playing a full schedule this year and SA just failed to respond in time?

Seems more plausible to me than EA just being lazy because they didn't want to Google something.

[moylan1234]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Will Not Include The University of South Alabama

crques that's not very likely either. again your telling us they put in the research for the other schools, but when it got to South Alabama they essentially had zero clue. even though as has been stated this was in the works since 2009. I'm sorry these theories are just reaching.

[TDenverFan]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Will Not Include The University of South Alabama

I really don't think adding UoSA will be a selling feature of 14.... Adding UTSA, TSt, and UMASS isn't a selling point in this one.

[Suntan Superman]

So you don't believe any of this blame falls on South Alabama? None whatsoever? You don't believe that EA didn't reach out to South Alabama to ask them directly that they were playing a full schedule this year and SA just failed to respond in time?

Seems more plausible to me than EA just being lazy because they didn't want to Google something.

Never mind the legal process associated with this.

[Noble Evildoer]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Will Not Include The University of South Alabama

crques that's not very likely either. again your telling us they put in the research for the other schools, but when it got to South Alabama they essentially had zero clue. even though as has been stated this was in the works since 2009. I'm sorry these theories are just reaching.

Which is why it makes no sense for EA to pretend that there was ever a question of whether they were moving or not.

[BA2929]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Will Not Include The University of South Alabama

Which is why it makes no sense for EA to pretend that there was ever a question of whether they were moving or not.

Perhaps EA wanted confirmation from the school itself, or even the NCAA, that 2012 was indeed the season they were starting FBS scheduling. Maybe EA sent them a letter or email or phoned them asking for confirmation, but nobody at SA or the NCAA did anything about it. So EA, not wanting to go on the word of the internet or old articles, decided it would be best to hold off on creating the team this year.

They did have a 2-year provisional time period. Maybe EA wanted to make sure that the provisional period wasn't extended.

I'm thinking South Alabama, or even the NCAA, is the lazy one here. Not EA. Just because it's been "in the works since 2009" doesn't mean it wasn't delayed a year and EA wanted to make sure it wasn't before going all out on a new school. UMass had no trouble getting in the game. I know everyone is taking the side of South Alabama in this, but I'm not buying that EA is the only one to blame.

[Catamount53]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Will Not Include The University of South Alabama

This doesn't bother me that much, but I don't see how it isn't EA's fault. Ultimately it is EA's football game and their own responsibility to make sure the game is as accurate as possible. If they didn't hear back from USA in time, they should have started bothering them for the information.

Also, in the meantime, they at least could have added the stadium in.

Bottom line. Ea is paying the NCAA for the information, EA is making the game, it is on EA to make sure they get the information from the schools in time to make it into the game.

[Suntan Superman]

Fyi Presbyterian said they were going full Division 1 in 2010, they still aren't. Plans don't always go through as planned.

[TDenverFan]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Will Not Include The University of South Alabama

Schools like North Dakota State, James Madison, Appalachian State, South Dakota State, and Montana have all considered moving up to the FBS, but there is no reason for EA to add them until they confirm it.

[Catamount53]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Will Not Include The University of South Alabama

South Alabama wasn't considering a change. Their original goal was to get into the FBS this season. Its EA's football game and only their fault when they miss stuff like this.

When you're making a college football game, you should already know what teams are doing. Not guessing and relying on the schools to tell you.

[Suntan Superman]

I agree, its EAs fault they had a policy and followed it to attempt and absolve themselves of legal trouble. What absolute jerks.

[eagskerfan]

This whole thing could have been avoided if we were allowed to add teambuilder teams without having to replace other teams.

[TDenverFan]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Will Not Include The University of South Alabama

This whole thing could have been avoided if we were allowed to add teambuilder teams without having to replace other teams.

Yeah, I imagine that's hard to do, but then again, they have a year to figure out a way to pull this off....