Alright Boyz, Here We Go!!! NCAA Football 2009 impressions thread

[Kodos]

And the patches didn't address issues with poor player distribution in recruiting classes (few high quality guards, centers, or MLBs) or the OD issues where you can't convince players to stay.

It's been a fun game online, but without online leagues, this game probably would have been on the shelf a long time ago.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

After 1 1/2 seasons with Clemson and another half with Ohio State, I feel like I am about ready to unleash my high quality skills on another FOFCer, or in an online league.

Any FOFC run leagues with openings? Or anyone want to take me on via online over the next couple of days?

I'd probably be willing to boot DeToxRox out of the RFL to clear some space for you.

I think EBFL might have one slot open.

[CraigSca]

Originally Posted by BrianD

That is one of my biggest disappointments with the 09 game. I always feel like I should run out of bounds when a tackler has a good angle on me but chooses one that will never work.

No way, DOOD! MORe alterNate UNIS! BoWl Patchez!

[Kodos]

The uniform people drive me nuts. "Their socks are slightly wrong color of blue! GAMEKILLER!"

[Butter]

Originally Posted by Kodos

And the patches didn't address issues with poor player distribution in recruiting classes (few high quality guards, centers, or MLBs) or the OD issues where you can't convince players to stay.

It's been a fun game online, but without online leagues, this game probably would have been on the shelf a long time ago.

There are literally 2 Centers in the top 1500 recruits in my Clemson dynasty. Uh, great.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Kodos

The uniform people drive me nuts. "Their socks are slightly wrong color of blue! GAMEKILLER!"

Almost as bad as some of the rating nazis.

"The 3rd string RG is a 73 in strength but he should be a 78. GOD EA SUCKS AT RATINGS SO BAD!"

[Kodos]

But at least teams can load up on quarterbacks! We need 17 of 'em. Can never have enough QBs in the stable!

[Butter]

I recruited a bunch of Athletes last year... and I ended up with about 9 safeties by the end of preseason and had to cut a few.

[MizzouRah]

I'm in my third season with Mizzou and we are #3 in the nation at (8-0), some really close games so far as I really picked harder teams to play in our non-conference schedule this year.

North Carolina comes in and I get my butt handed to me 72-32, the worst loss ever since I started playing. Of course it didn't help I threw a career high 9 - yes 9! interceptions.. all my fault of course.

NC has 3 really good CB's this year and not of my passing plays would work.

That's why this game has me coming back for more... I had NC hopes this season, but it looks like that is over with.

[Balldog]

For some reason the gameplay never grew on me, I think because it seems all that matters is speed.

[MizzouRah]

This is the GREATEST game ever made!!!

#1 Football game in my book

[Groundhog]

I actually downloaded the patch finally on the weekend and gave this game another shot. It's pretty good fun, but stuff like the pursuit angles really kill it for me, and though I didn't experience it the lack of talented recruits at certain positions (the very same problem that made next-gen Madden drafts suck) is another game killer for me.

CH 2K8 is still the greatest sports game IMO.

[MizzouRah]

I'm not much on basketball... but you're not alone in your choice GH.

I will agree about the pursuit angles.. but there is no football game that gives me the satisfaction when I beat a good team.

Last night I'm #11 in the country at 10-1 (Maclin's last year) and we play #2 Georgia Tech who is 11-0 and a W here would put them against Ohio St. for the National Championship.

They play a very conservative game due to the fact that their #1 QB is out for the season and their #1 RB Jonathan Dwyer has a broken hand.. I decide to start our highly recruited freshman RB this game due to the fact he's been a beast in limited mop up duty and our #1 RB has not been good.

It's a great game and we manage a 28-16 win.. but it was VERY close and when GT pounced on the onside kick with about 4 mins left.. I was getting worried. We did manage to block a FG early in the game which was really big!!

The thing that's so tough about playing NCAA 09 is that one loss pretty much ends that quest for a NC. I still cringe when I think about the mistake I made by putting North Carolina on our schedule this year.

[rjolley]

So, with the patch and pursuit angles issue, is 09 the one to get, or is 08 better to get for < $10 and wait for NCAA10? Same comparison for Madden.

The plan is to get one or the other to last until the new versions come out in the fall. If 09 is not worth it, I'd rather pay $20 for the 08 versions and wait until the fall.

[Groundhog]

I never played 08, but from what I've read you're definitely better of getting 09 as it's a big jump in quality.

I don't know when 10 is slated to come out, but It might be better just waiting for that at this stage - assuming it's an improvement on 09. Of course, this is EA we are talking about, so that's certainly not a safe assumption.

[Eaglesfan27]

I'd definitely go for 09 over 08 if for no other reason than to join an online league. However, the gameplay is also better in 09, still far from perfect, but a step up from 08. The next version should be out in mid July as that has been the release window for years now.

[MizzouRah]

IMO 08 was garbage.. in fact, 09 is the first NCAA FB game I've really played since 2004 (I think that was the version on the ps2 I loved)

[Raiders Army]

I like 09. Every version has its warts, but I've probably played this one more than any other because Madden is so bad this year and because of the online league in NCAA.

[rjolley]

So, the pursuit angle issue is overblown?

I rented 09 on Saturday and just got a chance to put it in (couldn't put down my latest NBA2k8 dynasty). So far, it's been fun. I'm going through the challenges to get a feel for the controls. I'll dive into a game sometime tonight or tomorrow (Lost is on tonight, so I'm guessing tomorrow) and see if it's worth the $40+.

Thanks for the responses.

[Balldog]

Originally Posted by rjolley

So, the pursuit angle issue is overblown?

No not at all, unless you don't mind being escorted to the end zone by the defense. It doesn't happen all the time but it happens way to much.

[Kodos]

I'd grab NCAA 09 over Madden. I returned Madden because it just wasn't enjoyable for me. And NCAA 09 is superior to 08. But it still has warts. Speed is the only attribute that matters much. But it is fun to play online. If you only want to play solo, you might be better off just waiting for 2010.

[MizzouRah]

I disagree Kodos.. although speed is a huge factor (like it should be), I find that agility is a big factor as well.

Bottom line for me, is it fun? Hell yes it is!

[dervack]

Yeah, I think I'm going to pass on '10 unless there is something in it that wows me. 09 has been a blast.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

I disagree Kodos.. although speed is a huge factor (like it should be), I find that agility is a big factor as well.

Bottom line for me, is it fun? Hell yes it is!

Agility may matter some, but speed is by far king of this game - quite a bit too much imo.

[Radii]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

I disagree Kodos.. although speed is a huge factor (like it should be), I find that agility is a big factor as well.

Heh, check out the EBFL, I had a freshman RB that was rated 76 OVR, nothing special at all anywhere but he had 99 SPD. He ran for 500 yards in his first game against a cupcake, broke 1000 yards in game 3, ran for 250ish against an extremely highly rated Florida State, broke Barry Sanders single season yardage and TD records with 2 or 3 games to go, etc etc etc.

Speed is ridiculous in this game.

That's not to say I wouldn't recommend NCAA09. I'm having a blast playing, and it took quite awhile before any of the flaws became so so obvious to me. I don't play in single player anymore but I am still loving the online dynasties and hope they keep going strong until '10 comes out.

[MizzouRah]

Wow.. I have a 99 rated WR (Maclin) and although he has broken a few records, some games he's non-exsistant. I don't schedule cupcakes though.. always top 25 teams - because I agree, I can really rack up yardage against those teams.

I'm just about done with season 3 and about to see what life is without J Mac.. still no National Championships either.

I think fixing the pursuit angles will alleviate issues such as that. I mean, when players like J Mac get into the open field, he should go the distance, but I agree, even players close to him speed wise, don't have a chance sometimes.

I do notice teams do not kickoff to him anymore, which is a nice touch..

The good thing is, I don't think there is that much that needs fixed, just some overall gameplay issues.

[ColtCrazy]

I apologize if this was mentioned but I'm way too tired today to read through 35 pages! Does anyone know how to download some rosters for the 360 version? I bought a 1 month card to see if I could do it.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by ColtCrazy

I apologize if this was mentioned but I'm way too tired today to read through 35 pages! Does anyone know how to download some rosters for the 360 version? I bought a 1 month card to see if I could do it.

Posts #1690, 1691, and 1692 in this thread has the gamer tag for a couple of sets that seem to be the preferred options. I could find 'em easily because I had the exact same question less than a month ago myself.

FWIW, I'm using the extreme gamer ones and which I had tried the fairdale king ones instead. (check those posts for the correct spelling of their gamer tags). Something really seemed wrong with GT's Jonathan Dwyer being a little used fullback throughout his career while Roddy Jones spent quite a bit of time leading the NCAA in rushing for a couple of seasons.

[ColtCrazy]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Posts #1690, 1691, and 1692 in this thread has the gamer tag for a couple of sets that seem to be the preferred options. I could find 'em easily because I had the exact same question less than a month ago myself.

FWIW, I'm using the extreme gamer ones and which I had tried the fairdale king ones instead. (check those posts for the correct spelling of their gamer tags). Something really seemed wrong with GT's Jonathan Dwyer being a little used fullback throughout his career while Roddy Jones spent quite a bit of time leading the NCAA in rushing for a couple of seasons.

Thanks a lot. I'll check those out. Itching to get a dynasty going.

[Radii]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

FWIW, I'm using the extreme gamer ones and which I had tried the fairdale king ones instead. (check those posts for the correct spelling of their gamer tags). Something really seemed wrong with GT's Jonathan Dwyer being a little used fullback throughout his career while Roddy Jones spent quite a bit of time leading the NCAA in rushing for a couple of seasons.

Yeah Jones seems a bit overrated out of the box, but Dwyer still has more speed and was a much better runner for me. I just ended up bumping Dwyer up to #1 on my depth chart and had a couple great seasons with him.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Radii

Yeah Jones seems a bit overrated out of the box, but Dwyer still has more speed and was a much better runner for me. I just ended up bumping Dwyer up to #1 on my depth chart and had a couple great seasons with him.

Once (or if) I get pretty decent at this I'm going to try running another dynasty with GT & this roster set just to see if I can improve on what I saw for Dwyer while I was busy getting my butt kicked at MTSU.

[ColtCrazy]

Well, first of all, thanks Eaglesfan27...I ended up downloading your rosters, it wouldn't let me get the ones from Fairdale Kings.

I've only played a few games on this, mostly messed around with Campus Legend since I got this game about 2 weeks ago. Decided to play some games online last night.

First game, I was Indiana facing Notre Dame. I was losing 28-7 at halftime. I could not stop the deep pass. The guy asked if I wanted a mercy out, I said no...and played much better in the 2nd half. He never ran, so I went exclusively to a quarter defense. I ended up losing 43-28.

The 2nd game I was Ole Miss facing Miami. What a difference a team with some talent makes. I won by 12 going back to my usual run/short passing game combo that works well in Madden.

In game 3, I ran against Florida. I had Texas. This was my favorite game of the night. I was down early 14-0, came back to take a 3 point led at halftime. Started the 2nd half with a horrible interception and gave up a quick TD. We traded TDs after that and I had the ball, 3 minutes left down 29-35. I ended up getting first and goal on the one with 50 seconds left. Florida had 2 timeouts. I knelt on the first play to make him blow a timeout. I was worried about doing it again (should have) and ended up scoring on the next play. I'm up 36-35. He ends up completing a deep pass on 3rd and long (again, couldn't stop the deep ball because I shouldn't have switched to the CB) and he wins on a TD with 20 seconds or so left. I lost, but really enjoyed that game. Whoever he was, he was a great challenge.

The last game was USC (me) vs. Florida again. Both Tebow and Sanchez get hurt in the first half and I'm leading 13-10. Tebow comes back in the 3rd...Sanchez does not. Whoever USC's backup is was horrible on accuracy. 3 2nd half INTs and I'm down now 31-16. I end up with a purist drive (2 passes, the rest runs) to score at the end to make it a respectable 31-22.

Overall, a fun night. Thanks again for pointing out the rosters. I'll be starting a dynasty with someone tonight.

[cartman]

Regarding the downloadable rosters, does anyone know if there is a set that has been updated now that the season is over, so that the players can reflect how they actually performed, rather than how they were projected to perform? I did a search, and if this was already answered, I must have missed it.

[MizzouRah]

Finally won the Big 12 Championship last night.. what a game it was against Texas!!!

The game was back an forth all night.. Maclin ran a kickoff back to the house, then on the ensuing kickoff to Texas, Vondrell McGee takes it to the house.

Missouri CB Robert Steeples picked off two passes and ran one back for a TD... sealing the game late in the 3rd quarter..

Maclin also wins the Heisman!!

Next we face TCU in the Fiesta Bowl.. should be an interesting game.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by ColtCrazy

Well, first of all, thanks Eaglesfan27...I ended up downloading your rosters, it wouldn't let me get the ones from Fairdale Kings..

Just to be clear, they aren't mine. They were done by Fairdale Kings. I just uploaded them to my username after downloading them from FK because some people were having trouble downloading from his tag and I wanted to make it easy for fellow FOFC players to get them.

[Kodos]

Get your name in the game! - Operation Sports Forums

This is pretty cool. You can submit your last name so that Brad Nessler will say your name in NCAA 2010.

[CleBrownsfan]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Get your name in the game! - Operation Sports Forums

This is pretty cool. You can submit your last name so that Brad Nessler will say your name in NCAA 2010.

I bet this will be the #1 "added feature" for 2010

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Get your name in the game! - Operation Sports Forums

This is pretty cool. You can submit your last name so that Brad Nessler will say your name in NCAA 2010.

Yay! Yet another addition to the game that does nothing to address the issues with the previous edition's gameplay. And they wonder why sales numbers keep declining......

**sigh**

[dervack]

I wonder why EA doesn't use the same name Library for all games. My last name isn't said in any of the EA franchises except NHL, and that's because there is an NHL player with the same last name, same pronunciation. It's cool when you play the be a pro mode and they actually say your name when you score a goal.

[rjolley]

Originally Posted by dervack

I wonder why EA doesn't use the same name Library for all games. My last name isn't said in any of the EA franchises except NHL, and that's because there is an NHL player with the same last name, same pronunciation. It's cool when you play the be a pro mode and they actually say your name when you score a goal.

I've always wondered that. Seems like they would do the database once and just update it. But, I guess some people would complain when the announcer says "Jordan scores" the same way this year as he did 5 years ago. I think it's much cooler to hear my name in the game or to see random players created with my last name. By now, they should be able to do that reasonably well.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Okay, that was ... different.

Upstart MTSU playing as a big underdog against #22 UCF in the C-USA title game, down 14-0 in the first 30 seconds after enduring a 98 yd KOR touchdown followed by fumbling the ensuing kickoff and having it run back 38 yds for a score as well.

Somehow the scrappy little team that could had fought back to a 31-28 lead and was seconds away from an unlikely conference title. With the ball inside the UCF 5 & the Knights out of time outs still the clock didn't really favor just taking a knee when the inside running game is so reliable. Figure to hand it to the fullback one more time, he's a senior that doesn't fumble, a score puts it on ice or gets the clock down to where a 4th down knee would run out the clock, not a problem.

He fumbles and yep, you guessed it, UCF d-lineman rumbles 98 yards for the game winner. An entire nation of blue simply sat in stunned silence, except for one man.

A head coach who was being restrained from committing a major felony with some zebras as the intended victims. Finally in exasperation he launches a desperation heave ... of his challenge flag. And, after further review, the runner's knee was down before he lost possession, the call on the field is reversed.

It felt scripted as all hell, the fumble, the DL outrunning all my backs & receivers, would-be tacklers simply bouncing off the guy as he lumbered down the sideline, all of it. Even my son, sitting beside me on the coach, watching in a mix of horror & awe repeating with increasing volume "Oh ... My ... God. Are you kidding me? Are you KIDDING me? Oh ... my ... God" was a well defined "Dad sucks at this" moment.

But given my level of general suckitude with button mashers, I'll take the win and the conference title that goes with it thank you very much.

Naturally I still only receive the bid for the #4 team in the conference overall (Texas Bowl vs the Longhorns) instead of the Liberty Bowl berth that goes to the #1 team from C-USA but hey ... at least I'm bowling and for a third straight year at that.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Naturally I still only receive the bid for the #4 team in the conference overall (Texas Bowl vs the Longhorns) instead of the Liberty Bowl berth that goes to the #1 team from C-USA but hey ... at least I'm bowling and for a third straight year at that.

If you win the conference, why don't you go to the Liberty Bowl? Is it done by standings in real life too?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

If you win the conference, why don't you go to the Liberty Bowl? Is it done by standings in real life too?

I just attributed it to one of those "the bowl gets first pick, not bound to champion" deals. Ain't like there's shit I could do about it anyway, easier to swallow by kayfabing it that way in my head.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Yay! Yet another addition to the game that does nothing to address the issues with the previous edition's gameplay. And they wonder why sales numbers keep declining......

**sigh**

You want to rethink that?

According to NPD, NCAA Football sold similar numbers for the 2008 and 2009 versions.

2008: Gamasutra - NPD: Console Sales Up 140% In July Led By Wii, DS
2009: NPD: NCAA Football sacks July - News at GameSpot

[Ironhead]

I really have to say this year's version of the game is truly solid. Over half a year later I am still participating in 2 online leagues. I even recently picked up my solo dynasty again after finding some challenging but fair enough sliders for Heisman.

[Grammaticus]

Originally Posted by Ironhead

I really have to say this year's version of the game is truly solid. Over half a year later I am still participating in 2 online leagues. I even recently picked up my solo dynasty again after finding some challenging but fair enough sliders for Heisman.

What are the Heisman settings/sliders you are using? I would like to see if I can get the solo dynasty engaging again.

Thanks

[BrianD]

I haven't yet got to the point where the solo dynasty is too easy. I'm in year 2 with Wisconsin using the same setup as the EBFL and am current 3-3. This game does a good job of making it tough to beat teams you shouldn't beat.

[Ironhead]

Originally Posted by Grammaticus

What are the Heisman settings/sliders you are using? I would like to see if I can get the solo dynasty engaging again.

Thanks

If I remember correctly I had found these over at OS. Not sure who's they were though.

Heisman Difficulty
7 minute quarters

All penalty sliders at 95

Human/CPU

QB Accuracy - 40/45
Pass Blocking - 0/0
WR Catching - 10/0
RB Ability - 45/65
Run Blocking - 0/100

Awareness - 0/75
Knockdowns - 95/95
Interceptions - 0/45
Break Block - 50/75
Tackle - 50/50

FG Power - 0/0
FG Accuracy - 0/0
Punt Power - 50/50
Punt Accuracy - 0/50
Kickoffs - 65/65


I am pretty deep into dynasty mode at this point (season 2017 I believe) and have moved up the coaching ladder to FSU. We have a good team and get challenging games from the mid-level ACC teams. The better teams like Clemson and Virginia Tech are very tough.

I will say that I thought they sucked the first couple of games I played them. After giving them another shot they are pretty fair I think. Running is tough but very rewarding. CPU tailbacks can be tough to bring down but not to the point where I ever get frustrated.

Let me know what you think.

[Grammaticus]

Originally Posted by Ironhead

If I remember correctly I had found these over at OS. Not sure who's they were though.

Heisman Difficulty
7 minute quarters

All penalty sliders at 95

Human/CPU

QB Accuracy - 40/45
Pass Blocking - 0/0
WR Catching - 10/0
RB Ability - 45/65
Run Blocking - 0/100

Awareness - 0/75
Knockdowns - 95/95
Interceptions - 0/45
Break Block - 50/75
Tackle - 50/50

FG Power - 0/0
FG Accuracy - 0/0
Punt Power - 50/50
Punt Accuracy - 0/50
Kickoffs - 65/65


I am pretty deep into dynasty mode at this point (season 2017 I believe) and have moved up the coaching ladder to FSU. We have a good team and get challenging games from the mid-level ACC teams. The better teams like Clemson and Virginia Tech are very tough.

I will say that I thought they sucked the first couple of games I played them. After giving them another shot they are pretty fair I think. Running is tough but very rewarding. CPU tailbacks can be tough to bring down but not to the point where I ever get frustrated.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks, I'll give these a try.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by cartman

You want to rethink that?

According to NPD, NCAA Football sold similar numbers for the 2008 and 2009 versions.

2008: Gamasutra - NPD: Console Sales Up 140% In July Led By Wii, DS
2009: NPD: NCAA Football sacks July - News at GameSpot

C'mon Cartman. You usually do a good job of researching your posts, but you really dropped the ball on this one using outdated data. Those numbers were only the first month sales.

This year's sales of NCAA Football 09 have dropped a staggering 26% on the Xbox 360, which is a record freefall for an EA football franchise. Here's the numbers for this franchise over the past three years.........

NCAA 07 Xbox 360 - 820,000
NCAA 08 Xbox 360 - 810,000
NCAA 09 Xbox 360 - 600,000

That's an unmitigated financial disaster when you're dealing with the fixed development costs that EA has. Even worse, the Wii version couldn't outsell the PS3, PS2, or 360 versions of the game despite having a clear lead in regards to installed base.