This week on OS Fact or Fiction we have three staff members that take a look at several topics about NCAA Football 09. From the toughest job in NCAA Football 09 to Clemson's RB Duo to Online Dynasty, we cover several bases in NCAA. Check out what our staffers had to say and then leave your own comments!

#1 Duke is the toughest dynasty job in NCAA Football 09.

Matt Blumenthal: Fiction. Anyone who decides to take over Duke will certainly have his work cut out for him, but the ACC has not been a dominant conference since the realignment four years ago. The conference has an abundance of average teams at the moment, leaving room for Duke to ascend the ranks under the right management. The ACC lacks both the depth and elite teams of the SEC, and as Vanderbilt rates comfortably below Duke in NCAA Football 09, anyone who decides to try his hand with the Commodores will have a difficult road ahead of him.

Jeremy Hartman: Fiction. Duke has long been the doormat of the ACC and it would be a tough job but not as tough as say a Western Kentucky, Utah State or Idaho, who are all rated at a 60 overall. Duke actually has some decent ratings and the ACC pedigre so it would be easier to build a Duke than the schools I just mentioned.

Ryan Spencer: Fiction. Duke isn't terrible in NCAA 09, coming in at 77 overall. Plus, as Matt has pointed out, the ACC just isn't what it used to be. I'll throw my hat in the ring for the Big 12's Baylor Bears. Baylor is rated a putrid 67 this year, which makes them the lowest-rated team in a "power" conference. Even if you disregard the tough road they have in front of them this year, building a program in Waco won't be easy when you have to recruit against the likes of the Longhorns, Aggies, Red Raiders, Sooners, and every other team in the nation that views the state of Texas as a buffet of football talent.

#2 Clemson's 95ovr rated RB Duo of C.J. Spiller and James Davis will be the deadliest in the game.

Matt Blumenthal: Fact. Anyone who's played against me in NCAA Football knows that the Tigers are my team, and I'm thrilled about using an even more developed "Superman and Flash" in this year's game. This combination can and will carry an offense. I hope it's enough to carry mine.

Jeremy Hartman: Fact. You simply cannot go wrong with two guys rated 95 or over in the game in the same backfield because there is no letdown. If one guy is tired then the other guy takes over. If the controls are as fluid as EA is advertising then Clemson is going to be difficult to defend, even with eight in the box.

Ryan Spencer: Fact. This dynamic duo would have been outstanding in NCAA anyway, but when you factor in this year's emphasis on "wide-open gameplay," Spiller and Davis will be consistently thrashing defenses for huge gain after huge gain. Expect to see a lot of bandwagon Clemson fans if you are playing randoms online this year.


#3 Online dynasty mode will be a huge hit in its first year.

Matt Blumenthal: Fact. Online dynasty mode has a lot of people excited for NCAA Football 09, and rightfully so. Online dynasties have been sprouting up all over the place, even well before the game's release. Operation Sports forum users have dozens and dozens of leagues to choose from. Online dynasties won't be perfect in their inaugural year, but they should do plenty to keep people coming back for more NCAA Football 09.

Jeremy Hartman: Faction. I had to combine them because I think it could go either way. If it works without plenty of hiccups then it will be huge. But if server issues or freezing issues start to crop up then the complaints will run rampant. Here's hoping that EA has truly considered the pros and cons and has addressed them properly.

Ryan Spencer: Fact. NCAA fans have been foaming at the mouth waiting for this feature since the concept of online play hit the mainstream many years ago. One look at the NCAA forums on OS says it all — there are already too many online leagues organized to count. It's unrealistic to expect this feature to work perfectly in its first year, but even if it provides the most basic functionality, NCAA buffs will be duking it out online for many months to come.

#4 NCAA Football will be a contender for Sports Game of the Year.

Matt Blumenthal: Fact. The NBA 2K series currently holds the crown, but the game's progress has slowed the last few years, so the Best Sports Game title lies within reach of worthy challengers. MLB 08: The Show took a step backwards from last year's game, so it probably won't merit consideration this year. NHL 09 and the football games will serve as the greatest competition for NBA 2K9 this year, and with the public desperately seeking a good football game, I'd expect a bias toward NCAA Football and Madden if they are up to snuff.

Jeremy Hartman: Fact. NCAA Football '09 will be a contender but it's going to have a tough time competing with NBA 2K9 and Madden '09, that is if those games are all they're cracked up to be.

Ryan Spencer: Fiction. NCAA chose the wrong year to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary, as I believe that Madden's turning of the tides will leave NCAA in the dust in terms of approval from the masses. If we define a "contender" as being one of the top three sports games of the year, I think NCAA will be on the outside looking in with Madden 09, MLB 08: The Show and NHL 09 fighting for the top spot.