A few weeks ago, the NCAA Football development team gave gamers everywhere a first look at some of the upcoming features in NCAA Football 11.

After a somewhat disappointing NCAA 10, the series needs some work if it is to ever to return to the lofty heights that were achieved during the last generation of consoles. With more information now being released on the NCAA Football 11 blog, I have decided to take a look back at the initial information that was revealed about the game and discuss what it all means -- or could mean -- for dedicated NCAA Football gamers.

What it really means for gamers:

The addition of referees to the field in NCAA 11 is something hardcore fans of the series have been clamoring about for years now. Being able to see the zebras on the field adds an additional dimension of presentation to the game and will actually breathe some life into the somewhat sterile on-field presentation the series has suffered from since it first debuted on the Xbox 360 in 2006.

What it could mean for NCAA 11:

Referees on the field may seem like a small addition, but to me this is a surefire hint that presentation, both on the field and off, is finally a priority for the NCAA team. I would not be surprised to see authentic pregame entrances, fan interaction, chain gangs, bowl patches and lively sidelines make their triumphant return in NCAA 11. Sure, these are all features that have been sorely missing over the last four years, but it would definitely be nice if gamers finally got the true college football experience that they deserve.

What it really means for gamers:

As evidenced by the addition of Pro-Tak in Madden 10, gang tackles can dramatically impact the way a football video game is played. Adding gang tackles to the NCAA series can change the way players build dynasties and plan for online opponents. After all, bigger backs like Toby Gerhart, or even players at the fullback position, may now actually be useful in certain playbooks. Essentially, the ability to differentiate between certain players based on break-tackle attributes will be huge. In other words, recruiting the next Calvin Johnson or Mark Ingram will be extremely rewarding.

What it could mean for NCAA 11:

My hope is that the developers will pay close attention to their ratings system and completely overhaul how players interact with one another (e.g. 175-pound speed backs should not be able to truck linebackers). My other hope is that a refinement of the Madden Pro-Tak system can be used to polish up the offensive and defensive line interactions, which could eliminate cheap suction blocks and moronic offensive line play.

What it really means for gamers:

Finally. How many times have we all forgotten to save our dynasties or profiles after completing a game? It definitely will be nice to no longer have to worry about manually saving after a heartbreaking dynasty loss or huge program win. Streamlining the saving experience has been the norm during this generation of consoles so it is a relief to see the NCAA team finally adding this option.

What it could mean for NCAA 11:

I will go out on a limb here, and this is pure speculation (the fun part about an article like this), but I think the addition of auto save could mean gamers will be treated to the long-awaited addition of the in-game save feature. In today’s world of aging core gamers who are stuffed to the gills with other responsibilities, it certainly would be nice to be able to save a dynasty game midway through in order to take the kids to soccer practice. If EA realized the importance of a mostly overlooked auto-save feature, then perhaps the developers realized the importance of in-game saves.

What it really means for gamers:

Just as I mentioned in regards to auto save, it seems as if the NCAA team is paying close attention to some of the smaller aspects of a game that can make a huge difference. Being able to have a roster set load on the main menu, regardless of whether you went online or played four hours of dynasty mode, is a nice addition. I cannot tell you all how frustrating it was to jump into a quick game with a buddy after being online, only to realize player names were not present, which led to the ever-annoying task of quitting the game and manually loading rosters.

What it could mean for NCAA 11:

Again, auto-loading rosters just further reinforces the possibility of in-game saves being added to the game. I am crossing my fingers and hoping I am right about this one.

What it really means for gamers:

All I can really say about this addition is that it is about time. Having the ability to make formation subs is a critical component to football games. Since we have the ability to recruit athletes, have quarterbacks with different play styles and use players that can play both offense and defense, the ability to customize formations on the fly is going to be huge. Gone forever are the days of spending hours tweaking depth charts or pausing a game multiple times to make subs on a play-by-play basis.

What it could mean for NCAA 11:

To me, at least, this feature is important in the recruiting department. Call me old fashioned, but I always seem to shy away from specific players who do not fit my team's play style. With the addition of formation subs, instead of ignoring that five-star player that may not fit my specific system, it is nice to know that I can plug that player into a few different formations, which will allow him to make a big impact on my program.

6. New Equipment

What it really means for gamers:

I am a sucker for the little aesthetic details in sports games so color me impressed knowing that small details such as knee braces, hand warmers, towels and the new Revolution Speed helmets will be making their debut in NCAA 11. These additions may have nothing to do with gameplay, but being able to see authentic equipment and styles that are seen every Saturday makes my inner sports geek jump for joy.

What it could mean for NCAA 11:

The Madden 10 team took the mantra of what you see on Sundays is what you will see in our game. Hearing that the NCAA 11 team is adding these pieces of equipment and overall jersey details, makes me think that this group of developers is just as committed to giving NCAA fans unprecedented presentation when it comes to player models and jerseys. I am holding out hope that this is a sign that throwback jerseys, Pro Combat jerseys and bowl patches all find their way into this season's game. I know it sounds rather shallow, but not having the ability to use Virginia Tech or Miami’s Pro Combat jerseys -- or any of Oregon’s new jersey combinations -- really hurt NCAA 10’s overall replay factor last year. Plus, the omission of bowl patches for a fourth-straight season really had me scratching my head.

What it really means for gamers:

If you have played in an online dynasty, you know how absolutely mind numbing it is once you hit bowl season. Depending on how you did in that season, and the availability of others in your franchise, you could be forced to sit through weeks of waiting to play your game.Thankfully, NCAA 11 will include a single bowl season that is jammed into one week for online dynasties, which means no more waiting for the Motor City Bowl to be played before the Rose Bowl. As a dedicated online dynasty player, all I can say is thank you EA.

What it could mean for NCAA 11:

Online dynasties no longer will be derailed after conference championship week. This will lead to more seasons being played, more recruiting against friends and just more fun with the mode in general.

What it really means for gamers:

With the addition of on-field refs, new authentic equipment and now dynamic conference logos, NCAA 11 truly is off to a great start in the presentation department. It definitely was annoying to take a small school to a larger conference, only to see the field art still reflect the smaller conference’s name. This is one of those little details that could easily be overlooked so it is nice to see it receiving the attention that it deserves.

What it could mean for NCAA 11:

There is not too much more I can say in regards to NCAA appearing to up the presentation ante. It is quite refreshing to know that EA is paying attention to the little presentation details in NCAA 11. Here is to hoping that the gameplay received the same attention.

What it really means for gamers:

Apparently Alabama just had to win the National Title for the NCAA 11 team to finally add helmet numbers to the game that appear during gameplay. I am not sure anyone out there is quite sure of why the numbers mysteriously disappeared during gameplay in NCAA 08, but I for one am happy to see them return. If you are an OCD gamer like me when it comes to presentation and jersey details, this is a huge step in the right direction.

What it could mean for NCAA 11:

There really are no more excuses for the NCAA team when it comes to incorrect jerseys or missing equipment in the NCAA series. If anything, the attention of putting numbers back on the helmets during gameplay means that the NCAA 11 team is committed to paying attention to the small details that made the past generation of NCAA titles so great.


So what could the information released so far mean to the grand scheme of things this year? Sound off below.