NCAA Football 2006

[mad dog]

North Texas is the only 2* school in the sun belt. All others are 1*. We also have an academic rating of 3 out of 6 stars.

[Got5onIt]

4 more days.

[TicketJohn]

It's nerdy...but I'm glad North Texas is finally 2 stars (it's the first year). I think it's well deserved

[GA Southern]

I think its obvious that they should be 2 stars (twinkle twinkle -be cool)

Does FAU and FIU get real stadiums now that they are in your conference???

[meangreendork]

actually, we had 2 stars in the NCAA 2003 if i remember right. this was after the Cinci bowl game. we got dropped to 1 star after the loss to Memphis

[GrayEagle]

I think its obvious that they should be 2 stars (twinkle twinkle -be cool)

Does FAU and FIU get real stadiums now that they are in your conference???

Florida International has an on-campus stadium although it only seats 17,500. It was made to be expandable (to 30,000) but I haven't heard any announced plans to enlarge it.

Florida Atlantic has elaborate plans for an on-campus stadium in Boca Raton. Their success in that endeavor is dependent on Schnellenger's ability to win games and attract donors. They presently play in a stadium that's about 20 miles from campus.

[GA Southern]

Florida International has an on-campus stadium although it only seats 17,500. It was made to be expandable (to 30,000) but I haven't heard any announced plans to enlarge it.

Florida Atlantic has elaborate plans for an on-campus stadium in Boca Raton. Their success in that endeavor is dependent on Schnellenger's ability to win games and attract donors. They presently play in a stadium that's about 20 miles from campus.

NOO, I mean on the game

If I recall correctly they use the Generic I-AA stadiums in the 05 game, I was wondering if EA sports went down and made copies of their real stadium for the game this year unlike last?

[Greeneagle87]

illivuis32,you seem to know alot of things about the game,can you explain to me the 3/6 stars academic-wise?

and can you tell me some new features about the game.

4 DAYS SEEMS LIKE AN ETERNITY!

I cant handle the dropped passes anymore.

[H-towngreen]

4 Days that all! I've got a lot of things to get done this weekend if I'm going to be holed up in my house playing playstation for the next 10 days.

Checklist:

PS2

NCAA 2006

Easy Cheese

Crackers

Dr. Pepper

[mad dog]

illivuis32,you seem to know alot of things about the game,can you explain to me the 3/6 stars academic-wise?

The academic rating of a school is largely a static rating that can be used in recruiting. Schools like Stanford, Duke, Northwestern, and Michigan have ratings of 6, and lesser academic institutions, like Central Michigan, UTEP, and MUTS will have ratings of 2. All division I-A schools have at least a 2 rating for academic prestige. I'm guessing, but can't confirm, that rating 1 academic schools will largely be I-AA teams or created teams.

I cant handle the dropped passes anymore.

Well, then you should be happy with '06. By all accounts (and I mean by real guys, not EA lapdogs at gamespot and ign), the dropped passes are gone. The tradeoff seems to be that QBs are slightly less accurate, and 99 overall rated passers will be able to dice up your D like in real life. But, then again, it's probably more realistic to have a QB that is a tad on the erratic side than have your all-america WR drop five passes a game.

and can you tell me some new features about the game.

The biggest feature for me will probably be the impact players feature. Each team gets three guys (at least one on offense and defense) who are basically the highest rated players on their team. These guys, if fed the ball and are successful, will get "in the zone." If you remember some of Adrian Peterson's runs last year where he broke like 10 tackles or Jamario's second really big run against Colorado (the hurdle one), those would be some examples of a player "in the zone." Likewise, a pass to an "in the zone" impact safety's side of the field better be perfect, or it is going the other way. An impact linebacker will get a whole new level of hitting, and an Impact DL guy will be constantly in your backfield. To take these guys out of the game, you'll need to run away from them, throw to the other side of the field, and do everything you can to make them look bad.

The other big "marketed" feature is the race for the heisman mode. Basically, when the game starts up for the first time, you'll get thrown into a camp where you pick your position (any but O-Line), and run through a series of drills. At the end, based on your performance, you'll be given three scholarship opportunities, or you can chose to walk on at any school you want. Once at your school, the object is to rack up as much as you can in the stats department. This means 2,000 yard seasons for a running back, 4,000 yard seasons if you're a QB, 12 interception seasons for a DB, or 40 TFL/15 sack seasons for a DE. The menu changes from the standard dynasty menu to a dorm room, where you can access most of the regular dynasty information (stats, etc). Your room is dynamic and (cringe) you get better and better stuff for your room the better you perform on the field. Yes, even your girlfriend gets hotter from week to week.

Here are a few other important features we can look forward to:

*Packages. Yes, like Madden last year, you'll now be able to sub in your power RB on the fly or adjust the alignment of your 'backers at the touch of a button.

*Supposedly better O-line AI. Now I've gotten mixed reviews on this. Some say it is tons better, others can't see any improvement. But those who comment positively on it say that you can see more O-line double teams of really good players and that they'll actually "turn their guy" to the outside, creating real holes and not just pushing them forward or backward. Oh, there's also apparently no more of the magic D-Line tackles when, in the midst of a full block, they reach out and armtackle your 99 rated halfback.

*Recruiting is supposed to be better, with both in-season recruiting and tougher recruiting for lower prestige schools. Really, it kinda sucked being able to pull in a top 10 recruiting class in the nation for North Texas in year three. Much as I enjoyed signing 3 blue chippers and dozens of 4-star candidates, it's just not realistic, and led to my creation of the pride and joy of South Dakota: the Ithica State Devils. That was the only way to get a realistic recruiting thing going.

The first thing you'll probably notice in gameplay is the defensive pass rush. Especially on higher levels, where you really have 3-5 seconds to get rid of the ball at best. In real life, seven seconds is an eternity, and that's about what you had during last year's game.

So far, it is lightyears ahead of last year's version, but there are a few glitches (analog blitz, super bump, HB direct) that haven't been edited out yet. Everyone seems to be speculating that these past few editions haven't been all that because the dev. team has been hard at work on Next-Gen NCAA. I can't wait to see what they have cooking for that day.

Edited July 8, 2005 by illuvius32

[Greeneagle87]

Well, I knew about the impact players/year-round recruiting,and the heisman thing,but i am very glad the magic d-line tackles are gone,

and I know exactly what you mean,the second time I did a UNT dynasty,my first season,we were 11-0 and had interest from several 5 stars, I am really getting excited hearing about this game,and its amazing new features.

[emmitt01]

There are certain things that I'd like to see gone though they wouldn't help me any.

1)No more being able to bump the computer receivers just before they reach the ball without a PI call.

2)No more ability to take a really fast guy, make him a DE, line him up waaaaay outside and speed rush to either blow up every running play or get 12 sacks a game.

3)No more being able to run all of your receivers to one side of the field and just scramble to the other. Even when you come close to a DB, if they are covering a receiver's route they won't recognize that you are nearby and will just stick with the receiver.

[Greeneagle87]

4) Don't have safeties roll back 10 yards even though its a run

5) eliminate the ace-big-twins HB dive play

6) dont have defenses come out in dime on 2nd and 1 cuz you called a PA pass

7)more plays for 5-2

[mad dog]

There are certain things that I'd like to see gone though they wouldn't help me any.

1)No more being able to bump the computer receivers just before they reach the ball without a PI call.

Pass interference, according to guys playtesting right now, still sucks. You'll get really weird calls that aren't PI, and a lot that go uncalled.

2)No more ability to take a really fast guy, make him a DE, line him up waaaaay outside and speed rush to either blow up every running play or get 12 sacks a game.

This falls into the category of "cheese" as only human opponents will do this. Usually, the way to counter this is to stay in the pocket. A decent OT will be able to pick them up.

4) Don't have safeties roll back 10 yards even though its a run

6) dont have defenses come out in dime on 2nd and 1 cuz you called a PA pass

Well, the defense is SUPPOSED to be less psychic and more playcall-responsive. I haven't seen this particular concern surface, so maybe it has been fixed. I'll check with my sources.

7)more plays for 5-2

Good news here. They added a whole bunch more plays for this formation.

[Greeneagle87]

what about the ridiculous holding calls? will there be some sort of evidence of holding on the replay?

[untbowler]

This sounds awesome, so now I'll have a new game to play after the 4 A.M. feedings and before I head to work at 6:30.

Just finished LOTR 3rd Age, so need a new game to peek my interest.

Thanks for the updates

[meangreendork]

If you have an Xbox- then try Star Wars: KOTOR 2. I'm not a Star Wars fan by any stretch, but it's a great game. If you have a PS2, look at Destroy All Humans. If it's a Cube, then Killer7 or Resident Evil 4. Or---Fantastic Four, as I hear it's gonna be a great game.

On topic-

How many of us think we can handle both Dynasty play and the Race for the Heisman...

And-

If you're gonna play Race for the Heisman (RFTH)- what position will you play?

[Greeneagle87]

If you have an Xbox- then try Star Wars: KOTOR 2. I'm not a Star Wars fan by any stretch, but it's a great game. If you have a PS2, look at Destroy All Humans. If it's a Cube, then Killer7 or Resident Evil 4. Or---Fantastic Four, as I hear it's gonna be a great game.

On topic-

How many of us think we can handle both Dynasty play and the Race for the Heisman...

And-

If you're gonna play Race for the Heisman (RFTH)- what position will you play?

definitely d-line or LB in heisman mode(you can do those I hope)

does noone here play halo 2 system link?

[ipEAGLE]

I'm tempted to pick up this game... but I won't give them my 50 bucks for some minor improvements. All EA Sports games should be sold at expansion pack pricings... they are only worth 20 bucks unless it is a completely revamped version (the next-gen versions for the XBOX 360 or PS3).

BTW, If any of you are into gaming and have a pretty good PC..... Battlefield 2 is all you need for a very very long time.

Edited July 9, 2005 by ipEAGLE

[Greeneagle87]

got some sweet links here

Top 119 teams

Top five skill players

and some sweet news!

NCAA 06

In this year's version of the game, the Coverage Audibles

have changed up a great deal. Not only do you have more

options, but the analog blitz should be a non-factor

now. Here's the new commands in a nutshell:

Xbox Coverage Audibles

----------------------

Y calls the coverage audible.

up on the d-pad for loose coverage

down on the d-pad for tight coverage

down twice on the d-pad puts safeties up close to the

line

L Trigger- 1 Deep Zone (Cover 1)

Right Trigger - 2 Deep Zone (Cover 2 Zone)

White - 3 Deep Zone (Cover 3)

Black - 4 Deep Zone (Cover 4)

A - Man Shift

X - Cover 2 Man

To Man Up the receivers, press Y and then right on the d-pad

To shade zone coverage, press Y and then right or left on

the right analog stick

Man Up vs. Man Shift

--------------------

Man Shift is usually turned on Automatically by default

under the controller settings so you won't have to do this

if you leave it on. If you turned that setting to Manual,

you can use this to shift the defense in a less drastic

manner than Man Up.

The offense is in Ace-Slot with the Defense calling 4-3

Crash Gold (FS in zone, 1LB blitzing, everybody in man

coverage).

If you call Man Shift, the ROLB will slide out towards the

Slot receiver and line up with his left foot just on the

edge of the hash mark. No one else moves.

If you call Man Up, the ROLB will slide out further from the

hash and closer to the Slot receiver.The SS will move up

closer to the line and even with the TE (his coverage

assignment). The MLB stays lined up in the middle over the

HB. Basically everybody moves.

(Courtesy vgsports.com/)

also,long bombs not as easy to complete,before games,lee corso and kirk actually have a pre-game show w/ a desk,and the PI calls are better.

the players rarely walk through each other. WAY more plays.

as of 7/9, 65 players online.

[Greeneagle87]

I have to add to my sweet link list.

NCAA FOOTBALL 2006 RECRUITING PREVIEW (extremly helpful) [page 1]

page 2

its two days away,we're so close! this is a fantastic read dudes,definitely check it out.

[meangreendork]

ipeagle- do you even know anything about this year's release? it doesn't sound like it.

though admittedly, this year is probably the one year that its actually worth the $50 tag. every other year was really just an expansion.

-race for the heisman mode

-improved models and textures

-modified hit stick

-better, TV-style game commentary

-all-season recruiting

and a host of other improvements.

Edited July 10, 2005 by meangreendork

[UNTFan23]

does noone here play halo 2 system link?

Yeah, did some sys-link gaming tonight with some friends. Even loaded the expansion pack onto all three boxes and played the new maps. Lots of fun ... and lots of cussing (on the part of my friends) from getting sniped from across the map. I must say, Coagulation is one of my favorite maps.

Edited July 10, 2005 by UNTFan23

[Norwester]

I cant handle the dropped passes anymore.

How many times would you have a game where Scott Hall is 4-for-6 for 50 yards at the half and inexplicalby end up 8-for-20 with an int. Infuriating.