Up To The Tusk | An Arkansas Razorbacks NCAA 14 Dynasty

[osubucki6]

INTRO

Hello,
I doubt many of you know me as I have not been very active on here in years. In the past I had several very short lived dynasties. Honestly, I don't think I ever made it past the first season. However, as I've gotten older I am more focused and get distracted less easily, so I feel it is time to try this again.

I would like to state in this post that I know this will not be the greatest dynasty of all time. I understand my limitations. I don't make graphics and I really struggle to remember to upload images and videos. However, I'm going to try my best. I'm also not the best writer in a journalism style, despite studying it for a short time. Additionally, this game is almost a decade old and I don't know how many people are even following these things anymore. I won't let that deter me.

This dynasty will follow coach Alex Flight, an offensive mastermind who after four years as the head coach at Colorado, has signed on with the Arkansas Razorbacks. This dynasty started in 2013, with some unique conferences. I had no idea I'd ever get to this point. However, here we are entering the 2020 season.

Flight runs a pass heavy offense, going with a traditional Run and Shoot at Colorado (thanks to Dr. Death). Now at Arkansas, he's tweaking his offense a little bit, but I'll get to that later.

I intend to stay at Arkansas for the duration of this thread, although there is one job I have my eye on but that is many years down the road in game. So let's buckle up and get into this thing.

Woooooooo. Pig. Sooie!

[osubucki6]

Rules

The purpose of this dynasty is to succeed while being realistic. I don't want to win every game by 30+ points, and I would even be disappointed winning 95% of my games. However, I've played this game for 8 years. I'm good at it. I can't help that.

Game: NCAA Football 14
Platform: Xbox 360
Rosters: 2013 roster but at this point it is all game generated players
Offensive/Defensive/User Skill: Heisman
Injuries: On, all user players injuries ratings decreased by the following their first year
QB-20
RB-25
WR/TE-40
OL-80
DL-80
LB-70
DB-40
Fatigue: Off. This is to get better CPU play in the second half, and to compensate for the lack of user subs I will use formation subs, especially on defense, to simulate substitutions. This includes random substitution of 2 players in every defensive formation besides goal line and prevent. Offense will be randomly determined as well for receivers and running backs, although some will be intentional due to personnel.
Quarter length: 8 minutes
Game speed: Normal
Player min speed threshold: 32
HFA: Off
Game Rules (I believe these sliders are from J-Kit, but on the chance he updates them farther I will post them now)
Offsides-91
False Start-91
Holding-92
Facemask-59
OPI-98
DPI-99
Kick catch interference-60
Clipping-54
Intentional Grounding-54
Roughing the Passer-54
Roughing the Kicker-35
QB Accuracy-5 (10 if starters accuracy is 95+)/5
Pass Blocking-30/45
WR Catching-0/40
RB Ability-35/70
Run Blocking-5/25
Pass Coverage-45/25
Interceptions-35/35
Rush Defense-25/25
Tackling-30/30
FG Power-45/45
FG Accuracy-0/50
Punt Power-45/45
Punt Accuracy-0/40
Kickoff Power-50/50

Recruiting: I don't have concrete rules. I have goals.
-Sign the number of seniors I have leaving
-Set my preseason board. Start with players who have me as their top school (soft commits) followed by players who have me in their top 3 (interested). If I have to drop lower I drop to top 10 and if there still aren't enough prospects at a position I go into all prospects, search Arkansas, then Louisiana, then Texas. I can't do this just because I want a better player.
-Sign from my initial preseason board which doesn't change until someone commits somewhere else or locks me out.
-At that point I will go into the prospect list and sort by lowest percentage. I'll look first in Arkansas at the position I need to replace. If there is no one obtainable, I'll look at Louisiana, and finally Texas. If I have to go to LA or TX I will only look at 3* players max.
-Any 5* must play as a freshman
-Every year I will create a minimum of two prospects and track their careers. I will only recruit them if they have me as their top school, which is not the goal. I will take reader suggestions for these.
-I must keep at least one walk-on, that will be explained later.
-My goal for pipeline states are Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas in that order. I want most of, if not my entire roster to come from these states. Other states aren't off limit but they must be interested in me from the preseason.

Manual roster rating edits: This is a unique part of the dynasty. I use a number based work ethic board. While work ethic isn't a unique concept, I don't think I've ever seen it executed this way. Every number has a letter grade from A to C for physical skills and position based skills. This is the max they can IMPROVE in the off-season. I understand this may be a complicated system for you to grasp if I don't properly explain it. If you have trouble following, reach out and I'll try to do my best.
-A wheel is spun for each category. The wheel goes from A-F (no E obviously). An A is +2, B is +1, C is 0, D is -1, F is -2.
-Physical changes are set, meaning the max is +2 and minimum is -2. This impacts speed, strength, agility, and acceleration.
-For skill based, a multiplier is set for position groups. The same wheel is spun for QB, RB, WR/TE, OL, DE, DT, LB, CB, S, K/P. An A is 5x multiplier and decreases all the way to F being 1x.
-So if a player has a C physical cap and a B skill cap with a 3x multiplier, and they have two A wheel spins, their physical stats don't change and their position specific skills go up +3. If an F is spun for both, physical skills go down 2, and position specific skills go down 6.
-10 numbers are assigned diamond numbers, and 10 are duds. One of these will change for both diamonds and duds each year via RNG. These only impact freshman who are assigned this number. Again, the wheel is spun twice, once for physical and once for skill. This acts similarly to the multiplier, in that A is +/-5 and F is +1/-1. The multiplier for their position is again active for position based skills. So theoretically, it is possible for a freshman to go up +5 in speed, strength, agility,and acceleration, and up 25 in all position specific skills, making them a 99 from the beginning. However, it is also possible to go down 5, and down 25.
-The letter caps are fluid.
All conference increases skill letter grade by 1
All American increases skill and physical letter grade by 1
Award winner increases skill by 2 and physical by 1
A player being cut decreases skill and physical grades by 1
A player being redshirted decreases physical grade by 1 (the player then randomly changes number).

-QB Strength upgrades. Based off weight I will increase my QBs strength stat by the following in their first year
Sub 190, none
191-200, +5
201-215, +10
216-225, +15
226-239, +20
240+, +30

-Freshman number changes. Because jersey numbers are so important for me, all freshman will be randomly generated if I want to change them. This is pretty much reserved for impact players and won't be done by choice. The only two numbers off limit to be randomly given are 7 and 77 (I'll explain why later). Because of that, these grades are locked.

In game house rules
-I mostly just play the game. My playbook has I believe 1 shotgun read option that I will only run very infrequently. I'm not spamming plays, especially read option, four verts, and slip screen. My playbook has, I believe, one of each of these.
-The biggest in game restriction is based off my starting QB's awareness. I can do the following based on their rating:
Motion-50+
Flip run-60+
Flip play at line-65+
Basic hot route-70+
Advanced hot route-75+
Basic audible-80+
Formation audible-85+
No huddle change formation-90+

-Coaching adjustments: Holding blocks, big run, big hit, and strip ball are all to be turned on aggressive on the first play. The goal is to add some penalties and some fumbles. Catching cannot be turned on conservative as it eliminates drops completely. Chew clock has to be turned on when up 21 with ball, unless I'm in the final two minutes of the first half. If this has occurred at any point in the second half, I must sequence my plays like I'm Pete Carroll. That means: run/run/pass/punt.

Players Leaving: I don't convince any player to stay. I have to accept transfers.

I hope that covers everything. I know its a lot. If I forgot something I'll note that I have edited this post.

[osubucki6]

Records and Results

Season Results
2013-SMU OC 11-2 Big 12 Champions, Cotton Bowl Champion
2014-Texas OC 13-1 SEC Champions, National Champions
2015-Texas OC 14-0 SEC Champions, National Champions
2016-Colorado HC 8-5 Poinsettia Bowl Champion
2017-Colorado HC 11-2 Orange Bowl Champion
2018-Colorado HC 14-0 PAC-12 Champions, National Champions
2019-Colorado HC 10-3 Fiesta Bowl Champions
Beginning of this thread
2020-Arkansas HC 7-6 Lost Chick-Fil-A Bowl

National Champions
2013-Ohio State
2014-Texas
2015-Texas
2016-Wisconsin
2017-Clemson
2018-Colorado
2019-Houston
2020-Houston

Heisman Trophy Winner
2018-Joel Thomas, QB Colorado
2019-Joel Thomas, QB Colorado
2020-Joel Thomas, QB Colorado

[osubucki6]

Arkansas Razorbacks Football Records In Game*

Passing
TD Career: Ryan Mallett (2009-10), 62
TD Season: Brian Bradford (2020), 42
TD Game: Brian Bradford (2020 vs Mississippi State), 7
Yards Career: Ryan Mallett (2009-10), 7493
Yards Season: Brian Bradford (2020), 5307
Yards Game: Brian Bradford (2020 vs Mississippi State), 670

Rushing
TD Career: Bill Burnett (1968-70), 46
TD Season: Bill Burnett (1969), 19
TD Game: Madre Hill (1995 vs South Carolina), 5
Yards Career: Darren McFadden (2005-07), 4590
Yards Season: Darren McFadden (2007), 1830
Yards Game: Darren McFadden (2007 vs South Carolina), 321

Receiving
TD Career: Jonathan Frank (2018-20), 41
TD Season: Jonathan Frank (2019), 15
TD Game: Jonathan Frank (2020 vs Texas A&M), 4
Yards Career: Jonathan Frank (2018-20), 3512
Yards Season: Jonathan Frank (2020), 1575
Yards Game: Jonathan Frank (2020 vs Texas A&M), 315
Receptions Careers: Jonathan Frank (2018-20), 212
Receptions Season: Jonathan Frank (2020), 78
Receptions Game: Jonathan Frank (2020 vs Texas A&M), 15

Defense
Interceptions Career: Steve Atwater (1985-88), 14
Interceptions Season: Jim Rinehart (1949), 10
Interceptions Game: Wear Schoonover (1929 vs Texas), 5
Sacks Career: Wayne Martin (1985-88), 25
Sacks Season: Steve Conley (1995), 14
Sacks Game: Wayne Martin (1988 vs Ole Miss), 5

*I only include the record held in game. For example, Tyler Wilson holds the real record for passing yards in a career at 7765, but for some reason they don't count his full 2012 stats. The same happens to Cobi Hamilton who had 175 career receptions, including 90 in 2012. Yet they included his receiving yards record from that year?

One other note, Wayne Martin is credited with 26 sacks but in game only has 25 so I kept the 25.

Arkansas Razorbacks Football Achievements

All Americans
Ron Weaver, JR FS, 1st Team 2020 (91 overall)
Thomas Watkins, SR MLB, 2nd Team 2020 (83 overall)
Brian Bradford, FR QB, Freshman 2020 (82 overall)

All SEC
Brian Bradford, FR QB, 1st Team 2020 (82 overall)
Jonathan Frank, SR WR, 1st Team 2020 (93 overall)
Thomas Watkins, SR MLB, 1st Team 2020 (83 overall)
Ron Weaver, JR FS, 1st Team 2020 (91 overall)
Jeremiah Richardson, SR CB, 2nd Team 2020 (86 overall)
Anthony Mays, JR FS, 2nd Team 2020 (79 overall)

[osubucki6]

Okay, I think that is all for placeholders. Feel free to comment. I don't want to spam posts and I have my next ~10 posts already written up so I'm going to take a break and come back to this.

If you're reading this, thank you.

[osubucki6]

Report: Growing unrest in Boulder from coaches, AD
Written September 30, 2019

The Colorado Buffaloes have not had the season they had hoped following their 14-0 National Championship in 2018. While a 4-2 record is not bad, there are several issues with this team that have caused a rift between offensive and defensive coaches, and this has leaked into the athletic department as well.

The first issue has been turnovers. Colorado has more than twice as many giveaways as any team in the country with 15 interceptions and 12 fumbles. This includes three games of four interceptions by reigning Heisman winner Joel Thomas. Despite throwing for over 500 yards per game this season, fans have called for a quarterback change because of Thomas’ 15 interceptions, only 3 fewer than both his freshman and sophomore season.

The second issue is the imbalance of the offensive attack. While they have thrown for over 3000 yards on the season, the rushing attack is averaging only 3.9 yards per carry. Defensive coaches have blamed this as a reason for not only the turnovers, but the team's most recent loss to Texas. Despite scoring 76 points in 4OT, the Buffs only managed 64 rushing yards on 39 carries, compared to 69 passes.

Defensive coaches have blamed these as a reason for the defensive woes. “Of course we’re giving up so many points, we’re on the field all game in terrible field position,” one anonymous defensive coach said. A bright spot just a year ago, the Buffs have given up 68 ppg in their 3 toughest games, going 1-2 in those games.

“We have the talent, at some point the blame falls on the coaching,” Coach Alex Flight said Saturday following the teams 78-76 loss to Texas. Flight was clearly referring to Coach Mike MacIntyre, the Buffs former head coach who was given a second chance as defensive coordinator this year. Flight was vocal in the offseason about wanting Brent Venables who instead took the job at UL Monroe.

The tension has leaked into the athletic department as well. AD Rick George supported Flight, mentioning the teams National Championship and Flights success to this point with the program. However, at the end of his statement he said, “defense wins championships” which has led to speculation that this saga has not ended.

[osubucki6]

Heisman winner benched in home loss
Written October 26, 2019. Last update October 27, 2019

After his 4th four interception game of the year, reigning Heisman Trophy winner Joel Thomas was benched, much to the joy of the fans. That joy was short lived, however, as backup Lionel Dixon struggled with accuracy for the rest of the game and the Buffaloes lost 36-28. Coach Flight wasn’t happy to make the move but said he hoped the move would teach the fans a lesson.

“You would think they would have more confidence in the coach and quarterback that brought them a championship a year ago,” Coach Flight said in a rant based postgame speech. “He [Dixon] clearly wasn’t ready for game action and I knew it wasn’t a good decision, but apparently I’m coaching for my job at this point.”

Dixon would finish 25/52 passing for 223 yards with a touchdown and interception. Dixon really struggled with accuracy as many of those incompletions were not remotely close to his receivers, who were often wide open.

Dixon did lead a bit of a comeback with the help of the run game led by Jacob Johnson who averaged 6.4 yards per carry in one of his best games of the year. The Buffaloes got to the 1 yard line in the final minute down 36-28. However, they were stuffed on 3 straight plays and lost as time expired.

When asked who the starter would be versus an Oregon State team that touts a top 20 pass defense, Coach Flight asked “who do you think should start?”. This answer was tongue in cheek as he seems to want to stick with Thomas no matter what.

Update: AD Rick George tweeted early Sunday morning the following:

“A coach shouldn’t blame the fans for a decision he made. He is in charge of the team
and while his job is to please the fans, he also knows more about the team than them.
Coach Flight is at fault for this loss and shouldn’t make excuses for his poor
performance.”

This tweet was quickly deleted but not before stirring up controversy and speculation on if Coach Flight will return to Boulder next year.

[osubucki6]

BREAKING: Alex Flight out at Colorado
Written January 1, 2020

In a stunning turn of events. Colorado and head coach Alex Flight have parted ways. The news came in the post game press conference following Colorado's 37-33 win in the Fiesta Bowl. Tension had reportedly been building all year and culminates in what appears to be a mutual parting of ways.

Colorado has agreed to pay Flight the remaining four years of his contract worth a total of 18.4 million dollars. Whoever Colorado brings in to replace Flight will have big shoes to fill. Flights resume includes an 8-5 season in his first year, a cumulative 43-10 record, a 4-0 record in bowl games including three BCS bowls, a conference championship, and the second National Championship in Colorado's history.

The next step for both Flight and the Buffs remains to be seen. Many have speculated Flight will take an NFL job. However, being a Washington native, Flight could be holding out for Pete Carroll to retire and to take over as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks.

Many have speculated this move may be to open the door for Mike MacIntyre to step in as head coach for Colorado. MacIntyres first run as head coach was short lived as he was fired after going 3-9 in his first season.



Report: Flight down to Razorbacks, Hurricanes, NFL
Written January 15, 2020

The National Championship winning head coach has reportedly cut Stanford from his potential destinations list due to the academic restrictions. This leaves just two schools and the potential of moving to the NFL. Flight is reportedly leaning towards accepting the Miami Hurricanes job, who fired head coach Pete Kwiatkowski after a 4-8 season. Flight has told those close to them he is intrigued at the thought of “Bring Back The U”.

However, Flight hasn’t ruled out Arkansas as he would like to return to the SEC, a conference he went undefeated in as an offensive coordinator at Texas. He likes the thought of going to Arkansas because of their rivalry with his former school, after the Longhorns passed on Flight for his offensive coordinator in their search for a head coach a year ago.