Something is seriously wrong with the defensive AI.

[Wildcat67]

Simple fix. Have the self discipline not to call verticals much if at all. I've known that verticals is the best/cheap passing play in the game since I got it. I just don't call it. Simple.

[jcern23]

Quote: Originally Posted by northface28

Maybe because Heisman is programmed to be overly aggressive, the one saving grace is the cpu pass rush can get in, however, im using Miami of Ohio. Id assume with a top ten team this would be a major issue.

I think the OP stated he seen the same on AA I have not yet tried AA maybe there isnt as many corners bumping on that level. To me the deep ball is solved by leaving threshold alone but its still a major problem if there are constantly guys getting wide open cuz the corners are bumping then staying in the flats.

[Card-me]

I think that what's happening here is that those of us having problems passing are playing on AA and those who are bombing it are playing on Heisman. I think the reason is simple: man vs zone.

NCAA has always played tons of man and blitzed a lot on Heisman because they could usually force you into problems, being sacks, bad decisions, or otherwise. The CPU played mostly zone on the lower levels because it used to be very easy to pass against zone. The problem is that this year, the zone is ridiculous. They didn't actually make the players better like they said, they (as usual) applied a band-aid and made everyone float around and glide to the ball with superhuman speed. So basically, they made AA passing more difficult than Heisman.

From my experiences, passing against man (and especially bump coverage) is pretty easy on fly and go routes. But I very rarely see this. I would say that I see zone about 90% of the time in my AA RTG, and the coverage is almost frustratingly good. And when it's not perfect, about 60% of the time it'll cheat - a LB will defy the law of momentum, a CB will change match ups with the ball in the air and his back turned to make a pick, etc. My QB is 95 OVR with 90 TP/TA and my last game against UNC I went 4/16 for <60 yards, 1TD and 2INT. For comparison, I easily averaged over 5000 yards passing 50 TDs (to 8 or fewer picks) on Heisman or AA on NCAA11 and NCAA10 when I wanted, to the point where I eventually just became a running team to even it out. This year is complete opposite.

I would guess that you guys are seeing a lot of man coverage, particularly on Heisman, where you'll see more of the difficult zone on lower levels.

[ehh]

Quote: Originally Posted by ehh

I'm basically seeing a perfect storm when it comes to passes down field... 1) I get sacked 2) The CPU rotates to deflect/pick off the pass 3) On the rare occasion when my guy is wide open and I have time in the pocket it's a coin flip - 50/50 that I'll throw a horribly inaccurate pass. Feet set and no pressure.

I need to add a fourth occurrence to this list, which is when a WR is open your QB makes a quality throw and the receivers ball awareness is non-existent. The ball flies right in front of his face and he doesn't look at it or even raise his hands.

It's like no matter what, one of these four things will prevent you from having a great passing game. I just played default AA Stanford vs Utah and was close to throwing my controller. I had seven dropped passes, three INTs (one was my fault) and on the final drive I had two open WRs in the end zone, made the perfect throw and the guy took 2-3 steps, then the DB came over and hit him and he dropped the ball. It probably would have been a borderline late hit IRL. At this point the pass defense feels cheesy beyond belief.

[btemp]

I'm having problems though with the AI, not with play calling and such. The defensive AI just won't go up for the deep ball, and you will frequently have a CB and S just stand there as the WR jumps over them to catch the ball. Its incredibly frustrating on 3rd and 17 and its impossible to stop the defence on big bombs.

edit: This is on AA.

[mrprice33]

Quote: Originally Posted by Card-me

I think that what's happening here is that those of us having problems passing are playing on AA and those who are bombing it are playing on Heisman. I think the reason is simple: man vs zone. NCAA has always played tons of man and blitzed a lot on Heisman because they could usually force you into problems, being sacks, bad decisions, or otherwise. The CPU played mostly zone on the lower levels because it used to be very easy to pass against zone. The problem is that this year, the zone is ridiculous. They didn't actually make the players better like they said, they (as usual) applied a band-aid and made everyone float around and glide to the ball with superhuman speed. So basically, they made AA passing more difficult than Heisman. From my experiences, passing against man (and especially bump coverage) is pretty easy on fly and go routes. But I very rarely see this. I would say that I see zone about 90% of the time in my AA RTG, and the coverage is almost frustratingly good. And when it's not perfect, about 60% of the time it'll cheat - a LB will defy the law of momentum, a CB will change match ups with the ball in the air and his back turned to make a pick, etc. My QB is 95 OVR with 90 TP/TA and my last game against UNC I went 4/16 for <60 yards, 1TD and 2INT. For comparison, I easily averaged over 5000 yards passing 50 TDs (to 8 or fewer picks) on Heisman or AA on NCAA11 and NCAA10 when I wanted, to the point where I eventually just became a running team to even it out. This year is complete opposite. I would guess that you guys are seeing a lot of man coverage, particularly on Heisman, where you'll see more of the difficult zone on lower levels. And once again, EA's apparent inability to make a balanced and realistic game is fully on display. It feels like they don't even play their own game or watch real football.

This would be interesting if it weren't so wrong. I'm playing on heisman with adjusted sliders and I'm not completing deep passes at an unrealistic rate. I feel like they're open when they should be.

[Redacted01]

I have done this once (to get the 200/200 trophy as Army and I didn't want to bother with passing much). Four Verticals I nailed 4 out of 4 times, but I was playing a TB team with the cupcake roster (my Texas-Arlington team). So it's hardly definitive. Otherwise, passing as been rather tough, but when you're playing a team that bad, everything is easy.

[DIESEL]

Quote: Originally Posted by Outkizast

After reading through this thread, it seems like there is a pattern. Most that are saying it is way too easy to complete the deep ball are playing Heisman, and most that say it's tough are saying they are playing default AA..... Interesting.....

This deep ball is way too easy on Heisman. I stumbled upon last night and wish I had not. Was playing my first game on Heisman as the U against FSU. Started off playing sim and as Jacory threw 3 pick 6's (realistic , I know.)

At that point I said F it, I need to learn how to pass. I benched Jacory and just played offense only and let coach pick my plays. Well coach picks a lot of vert plays and deep throws in general. I went on to throw for over 450 yards with Stephen Morris running the same 4 or 5 plays. My TE had almost 200 yards rec.

I tried another game against to test and while l occassionally did get sacked or picked off I threw for over 500 yards. All on big plays.

I know it's cheese and I won't continue to play this way but the issue is there. If you continually send multiple receivers deep at least once a series someone is wide open. And I would consider myself a below average passer in EA sports games. The CPU defense is great against the short and mid passing game but there are way too many big plays to be had and more importantly it showed no signs of adjusting to me running the same plays.