OS Grudgematch: NCAA Football 14 vs. Madden NFL 25

[RaychelSnr]

<small>The two EA football titles both offer something a little different from one another. Here's our take.</small>

EA Football this year saw modest gains with both NCAA Football 14 and Madden NFL 25 on current generation consoles. The Infinity Engine 2.0 was implemented into both games, giving them the most advanced physics in a football game ever -- and the line play was reworked for both titles to make room for new run game controls.

Each year we do several of these grudge matches to see which games are more worthy of a purchase, especially for those who still haven't bought them. Both Madden and NCAA have been out for a good bit, so now is a good time to give both the 'Grudge Match' treatment.

The format is simple, we will go through several categories and match the games up head to head. The winning game will find more 'wins' at the end of the article. Let's find out which football game is this year's best!

Read More - OS Grudgematch: NCAA Football 14 vs. Madden NFL 25

[rtkiii]

Good read...didn't help me at all because both games don't sound that great

[inkcil]

I enjoy NCAA better because it feels like college more than Madd feels like the nfl. But to me the presentation in NCAA is way over the top better than Madd's. Commentary makes more sense, cutscenes are implemented better, actual college gameday and espn swipes, normal replays, custom sounds, bands cheerleaders and mascots, better implementation of licensed music, etc.

[DJ]

I'd argue that NCAA 14 should win the defense category for the ability to Player-Lock and having the camera shift to behind the player you are locked-on to.

[GlennN]

You really hit the nail on the head with playing defense. That's the one thing that seems so hard to get in a video game. The last time I really enjoyed playing DE was in NFL2k5. In Madden 25, the suction blocking remains, and it really is boring. If I edited ratings, so my guy is even better than Reggie White in his prime, he should be regularly blowing up the offensive tackles. And he isn't. I get that people want their own skill to matter, especially online, but ratings really really have to matter, or a franchise game is not going to work well.

[Armor and Sword]

Re: OS Grudgematch: NCAA Football 14 vs. Madden NFL 25

I am really enjoying both games immensely this year. I think the line play on defense in Madden is a blast this year. I really learned how to use the swim move coupled with the speed burst button to get into some serious battles with the LT and RT (I use both Wake and Jordan) and get some great looking sacks, knock downs and also seeing the LT or RT hold me off on the edges.

They really did a great job this year with that.


Both running games rock.


Both passing games I enjoy and feel I have total control.


I will give the edge to NCAA's dynasty mode over CFM.....but I am enjoying CFM more than any other Madden franchise mode ever. If it jsut had a few more features we used to have and some tweaks to certain things it would be really a knock out.


But I am in the camp that EA at the very least ended this gen with 2 very solid, playable and most importantly fun football games. Quite frankly these are the two best football games I have ever played to date top to bottom....go ahead..throw the cabbage and tomatos....but that's how I see it.

[Armor and Sword]

Re: OS Grudgematch: NCAA Football 14 vs. Madden NFL 25

You really hit the nail on the head with playing defense. That's the one thing that seems so hard to get in a video game. The last time I really enjoyed playing DE was in NFL2k5. In Madden 25, the suction blocking remains, and it really is boring. If I edited ratings, so my guy is even better than Reggie White in his prime, he should be regularly blowing up the offensive tackles. And he isn't. I get that people want their own skill to matter, especially online, but ratings really really have to matter, or a franchise game is not going to work well.

I will disagree with you. I am getting great sack and pressure numbers in M25. Stick skill do matter to play DE...I learned them and now am having the best time playing DE. When I am not controlling one...they are getting pressure and sacks on their own as well.

[jeremym480]

Awesome take guys. Here's how I see this Grudgematch.

Run Game - One of NCAA's biggest problems (the strength of the Read Option and runs up the middle) is in it's Run Game. It's so easy to run the Read Option that has to be regulated in some online leagues. Honestly, I actually feel dirty running it. I feel that running is a little smoother in NCAA, but it gets docked points for the problems that it does have. Winner: Madden

Passing Game - After seeing the dreaded DB glitch twice in my first 2-3 weeks with the game, I was worried for NCAA's passing game. Luckily I have not seen it since, therefore there is no significant difference between Madden and NCAA. Winner: Draw

Line Play - This is still EA weakest link. Offensively, there really isn't that much of a difference between the two games. Defensively, Madden's Pass rush (especially on default) is non-existent. This can be alleviated with sliders, but NCAA gets the nod here. Winner: NCAA

Defense - In Madden the Hit Stick is actually effective and fumbles by RB's and WR's exist. Winner: Madden

Most Realistic - I would give the slight edge to Madden simply due to injuries. Winner: Madden

Connected Franchise or Dynasty/Road to Glory - I've never been one for relocation, upgrading stadiums, setting hot dog prices, etc. I would much rather both teams focus on adding layers to make that matter more on the field. Things like the ability to hire your own coordinators/assistant coaches, a Coaching Carousel in Madden, etc. I agree with everything Chris and Dustin mentioned about NCAA here. Winner: NCAA

Better Ultimate Team Experience - eww. Winner: Neither

Best Presentation - NCAA took a step back here, but I do appreciate that they started showing stats after every play now. Madden is nothing more than okay, presentation wise. It's really a toss up, but since NCAA has better replays (and ability to take in-game pictures) I'm going to go with them. Winner: NCAA

NCAA 14 - 3
Madden 24 -3
Draws/Neither -2

My advice: If you still haven't purchased a football game and you're trying to decide between these two, just go with whichever (NCAA, NFL) that you follow in real life.

[roadman]

Re: OS Grudgematch: NCAA Football 14 vs. Madden NFL 25

Or go pick up NCAA because it's the last one for awhile.

[allhailben7]

Re: OS Grudgematch: NCAA Football 14 vs. Madden NFL 25

In NCAA, passing defense seems much better. I tried going against VT's DBs... not fun.

My DBs, I think, can actually cover people if I call a good enough play.

If I commit myself to stopping the Read Option or Triple Option against the cpu, I feel like I can.

The only problem I have is that you can't adjust individual coverage disguise coverage as well as you can in Madden.

[jyoung]

The Infinity Engine 2.0 was implemented into both games, giving them the most advanced physics in a football game ever

I would argue that the physics in Backbreaker: Vengeance are still several years ahead of what EA Tiburon has currently with their Infinity Engine.

The players' skeletal systems behave much more naturally, plus the collisions look much more lifelike in Backbreaker: Vengeance.

[Caius101]

Love both games... but so far as presentation goes, NCAA wins it for me. I can still stomach the NCAA commentary, within a week I had turned off Madden's because he just simply... irks and annoys me beyond words. The commentary NEVER gets a call correct. A throw a ball 5 yards on 1st down and get chided about not throwing it deep (seriously?), then turn around and a WR drops a ball 30 yards down field (bouncing off his hands) and he blames the QB for a 'bad throw' or a horribly beaten CB for a 'great defensive play'?

NCAA isn't much better... but at least their voices aren't grating atop the idiocy. Still, even with the commentary turned off, I love playing the games during franchise mode this year.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: OS Grudgematch: NCAA Football 14 vs. Madden NFL 25

Run Game - Madden 25. Precision modifier is awesome and Madden 25's RB AI do a much better job of running then NCAA 14's AI.

Passing Game - Madden 25 get the slight edge simply because they have more sideline catch animations. Also being that Madden have more passer ratings then NCAA, you have a much better separation between elite QBs and scrub QBs compared to NCAA 14.

Line Play - Draw

Defense - Madden 25. Big hits look like big hits. Hit stick seem to be non existent in NCAA 14. NCAA 14 I see way too many ball carriers bounce backwards from a hit stick instead of being knocked down flat on their back. Also Madden's adaptive AI seem to be way quicker as well.

Most realistic - From a pure visual stand point in broadcast cam view, Madden look more like a real life game on tv.
From a game play stand point, Madden has fumbles and injuries. You rarely see fumbles in NCAA 14. Pretty much every fumble I seen in NCAA 14 was from the QB running with the ball.

CFM or Dynasty - Draw. Depends on what you prefer. Both are good, just different way of doing things.

Better Ultimate Team - Draw. Neither blows me away.

Presentation - Draw. Neither seem to capture the excitement of a rivalry game or a must win situation or a big play happening.

[westview33]

Re: OS Grudgematch: NCAA Football 14 vs. Madden NFL 25

You really hit the nail on the head with playing defense. That's the one thing that seems so hard to get in a video game. The last time I really enjoyed playing DE was in NFL2k5. In Madden 25, the suction blocking remains, and it really is boring. If I edited ratings, so my guy is even better than Reggie White in his prime, he should be regularly blowing up the offensive tackles. And he isn't. I get that people want their own skill to matter, especially online, but ratings really really have to matter, or a franchise game is not going to work well.

It shouldn't be that way but from what I've seen through using edited rosters in both Madden 13 and 25 you can greatly improve the pass rush by DE's if you spend time editing the OL with it.Most people just edit the DL players and never touch the OL players.

[gilljon26]

Re: OS Grudgematch: NCAA Football 14 vs. Madden NFL 25

guys i played madden25 yesterday O.M.G its so real my GOD i gotta have it that broadcast cam is dangerous love it great work EA SPORTS