I can get pressure on the QB; I just can't finish the play and get a sack

[BodamEscapePlan]

This is something I've struggled with a ton since they switched to the Frostbite engine. I can get in the QB's face often enough but 99% of the time, I just can't finish the play and get the sack. It's so weird as my leader for sacks is usually capped at 4.5-6.0.

It's something that has driven me mad with all EA Football games but this one especially so I finally feel like it's time I bite the bullet and create a topic to ask my fellow CFB brethren.

Is there a secret tip that I'm missing or... ?

[jello1717]

Are you talking about you personally, or your teammates? I used a LB so I don’t rush a ton, but my teammates get to the QB on average 3 times per 40 minute game. Sometimes they just go HAM and bumrush the QB, but most of my sacks are either on PA (which is a sack half the time) or coverage sacks. I play a lot of zone and rarely show my real shell and it often confuses the QB and he simply holds the ball too long.

So, I guess my best advice for getting cpu teammates sacks is to play good pass coverage.

[GoDucks1224]

If you're generating pressure or the occasional sack while rushing 4, then you're doing your job. Also keep in mind that college teams only average about 2.5 sacks a game, typically.

What difficulty are you on? What kinds of teams are you playing as? Northwestern? What position are you controlling?

I highly recommend 6 man blitzes so you outnumber the offensive line, and controlling a LB. I typically user a LB dropping in coverage, because I find that having good coverage over the middle leads to your defensive line generating more pressure than if you control an edge rusher. But also, if you control a LB in a 6 man blitz, you're much more likely to be able to rush the QB unblocked. I also have gotten pretty good at timing a run up so that I split the guard and the center right as the ball is snapped. I get a handful of offsides/encroachments a game due to this, but it definitely gives me some very satisfying nearly instantaneous sacks once or twice a game. (And more forced fumbles!)

Generally though, I find taking away the middle of the field with a LB or safety makes CPU QB's panic more, and my pass rush improves. More missed throws. More rolling out of the pocket into the arms of a waiting edge rusher. Pocket collapsing faster. Etc.

[BodamEscapePlan]

Quote: Originally Posted by jello1717

Are you talking about you personally, or your teammates? I used a LB so I don’t rush a ton, but my teammates get to the QB on average 3 times per 40 minute game. Sometimes they just go HAM and bumrush the QB, but most of my sacks are either on PA (which is a sack half the time) or coverage sacks. I play a lot of zone and rarely show my real shell and it often confuses the QB and he simply holds the ball too long. So, I guess my best advice for getting cpu teammates sacks is to play good pass coverage.

Well, both, really.
My sack numbers are very low most games and I play on All-American with everything at the base 50/50 except I turned down CPU's Interceptions a bit. I found a slider set that basically uses Auto-Subs and Penalties instead of changing Gameplay Slider values and it works really well except for the fact that I average maybe 1.0 sack per game, if I'm lucky.

Quote: Originally Posted by GoDucks1224

If you're generating pressure or the occasional sack while rushing 4, then you're doing your job. Also keep in mind that college teams only average about 2.5 sacks a game, typically. What difficulty are you on? What kinds of teams are you playing as? Northwestern? What position are you controlling? I highly recommend 6 man blitzes so you outnumber the offensive line, and controlling a LB. I typically user a LB dropping in coverage, because I find that having good coverage over the middle leads to your defensive line generating more pressure than if you control an edge rusher. But also, if you control a LB in a 6 man blitz, you're much more likely to be able to rush the QB unblocked. I also have gotten pretty good at timing a run up so that I split the guard and the center right as the ball is snapped. I get a handful of offsides/encroachments a game due to this, but it definitely gives me some very satisfying nearly instantaneous sacks once or twice a game. (And more forced fumbles!) Generally though, I find taking away the middle of the field with a LB or safety makes CPU QB's panic more, and my pass rush improves. More missed throws. More rolling out of the pocket into the arms of a waiting edge rusher. Pocket collapsing faster. Etc.

This is strong advice and what I was hoping to hear.

[mellamoaaron]

When you're rushing the passer are you holding down R2? If so, stop doing that. Only hit R2 when you're about to engage the OL and then when you're hitting your swim or spin. I play on AA and I have been able to get a very healthy amount of sacks, especially against weak o-lines.