Can the 3-3-5 Defense work in NCAA 14?

[ClemTiger]

I am looking to start a new dynasty and have always loved the 3-3-5. The only problem is, it stops almost nothing in this game. I have the 3-3-5 in my custom playbook and use it sparingly when I'm up big or playing a lesser team to experiment with it. Those experiments are bad. It stops nothing when I use it. If I immediately switch back to Nickel or my base defense, I am able to stop the CPU just fine. I don't think personnel would be that big of an issue, because all of my defense is rated mid 80's to high 90's at every level. I really want to win and stop teams with this defense but not sure it's possible. Can anyone help me?

[Dj2360]

Quote: Originally Posted by ClemTiger

I am looking to start a new dynasty and have always loved the 3-3-5. The only problem is, it stops almost nothing in this game. I have the 3-3-5 in my custom playbook and use it sparingly when I'm up big or playing a lesser team to experiment with it. Those experiments are bad. It stops nothing when I use it. If I immediately switch back to Nickel or my base defense, I am able to stop the CPU just fine. I don't think personnel would be that big of an issue, because all of my defense is rated mid 80's to high 90's at every level. I really want to win and stop teams with this defense but not sure it's possible. Can anyone help me?

It absolutely can and will my friend! I have a 6 year dynasty running with the Temple Owls, and I have ran a 3-3-5 defense the entire time. I have had the #1 defense 4 of the 6 years so far, and won 1 national championship, including countless #1 rankings.

[ClemTiger]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dj2360

It absolutely can and will my friend! I have a 6 year dynasty running with the Temple Owls, and I have ran a 3-3-5 defense the entire time. I have had the #1 defense 4 of the 6 years so far, and won 1 national championship, including countless #1 rankings.

Can you give me some pointers? I know safety play is important. I want to start a fresh dynasty with a cupcake and use the 3-3-5 as my defense.

[Dj2360]

Quote: Originally Posted by ClemTiger

Can you give me some pointers? I know safety play is important. I want to start a fresh dynasty with a cupcake and use the 3-3-5 as my defense.

Absolutely. I personally focus on safety play when defending the run, but when I'm trying to defend the pass, I specifically focus on D-line play, and getting to the QB. I usually run a mixture of 2-man under, and cover 3. I don't blitz more than a 4-man rush often.

[Caius101]

How well does the 3-3-5 work when simming? I rarely play the games and while I like the defense, I mostly used 3-4 in the past.

[return.specialist]

I have a DC dynasty in which I fluctuate between a 3-3-5 and 3-4/2-4-5 depending on the depth at DB and OLB. For 3-3-5, I like to have a fast FS (speed, acceleration, play recognition), a big, hard-hitting, aware SS (tackle, awareness/play recog, decent zone coverage), and 3 upperclassmen CBs. I've had most 3-3-5 success with one lock-down coverage CB and one, perhaps the best CB, who is quick, decent in coverage, and can tackle, actually ranked 3rd in the depth chart so he's playing all over, QB spying, covering an RB or slot, etc. Like an earlier poster noted, I also rarely pass rush more than 1 player in addition to the DL. To me, it's largely a bend-but-don't-break style of play, we give up a lot underneath but rarely give up the deep ball. I often play with aggressive big hits and forcing fumbles because of all the speed and play-making ability.

[jello1717]

Quote: Originally Posted by return.specialist

I have a DC dynasty in which I fluctuate between a 3-3-5 and 3-4/2-4-5 depending on the depth at DB and OLB. For 3-3-5, I like to have a fast FS (speed, acceleration, play recognition), a big, hard-hitting, aware SS (tackle, awareness/play recog, decent zone coverage), and 3 upperclassmen CBs. I've had most 3-3-5 success with one lock-down coverage CB and one, perhaps the best CB, who is quick, decent in coverage, and can tackle, actually ranked 3rd in the depth chart so he's playing all over, QB spying, covering an RB or slot, etc. Like an earlier poster noted, I also rarely pass rush more than 1 player in addition to the DL. To me, it's largely a bend-but-don't-break style of play, we give up a lot underneath but rarely give up the deep ball. I often play with aggressive big hits and forcing fumbles because of all the speed and play-making ability.

Are you playing the 3-3-5 or Nickel? From your post it sounds like you're playing Nickel with your best CB as the Nickel back.

[superxero27]

I use the 3-3-5 pretty much exclusively, and if you're looking for dominating (or at least good) defense I found a couple things to be important:

- Safety play, especially for whoever plays the "Spur" position (usually the game puts in the backup SS). Speed, man coverage, and tackling.

- Speed/quickness at pass-rushing positions like outside linebackers and defensive ends. Getting pressure on the QB quickly is vital here. Having speed at linebacker (and that "spur" spot) also helps when the QB takes off to run, which happens a lot to my defenses.