News Post

Man-to-Man Coverage The Key to Stopping the AI QB in NCAA 09

04:19 PM - August 5, 2008 by RaychelSnr

Are you one of the many thousands of NCAA gamers who can't seem to stop the AI offense no matter what the circumstances? Our very own Executive Editor Dave Branda might have discovered a way to possibly get a few stops against the AI offense. Check out his article, Man-to-Man Coverage The Key to Stopping the AI QB in NCAA 09.

Quote:


	"After doing some some reading in the Operation Sports and MaddenMania forums recently, I had a bit of an epiphany. Thanks in part to my revelation, my Michigan defense "clicked" into place and I absolutely demolished a computer controlled Wisconsin at The Big House, something which was not happening up until that time."

Game: NCAA Football 09Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
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Member Comments

# 1 Bumble14 @ 08/05/08 04:24 PM

Yeah, I have noticed this in the game. I have been able to hold the CPU to 50% completions and below on a regular basis running about 80% man coverage and hot routing a LB to play man on a receiver when I iplay zone. Man coverage works very well in this game.

The only drawback is if you are playing with a low rated team, and a team with poorly rated CB's, you will struggle. But still, I have found it possible to hold the CPU's passing percentage down on a regular basis.

# 2 dlamb919 @ 08/05/08 04:28 PM

Nice article. I always played more man than zone, so I haven't seen ridiculous completion %. The key to defense this year is that you have to switch things up, if you keep running man or zone, the computer will tear you apart.

The best zone I've seen is to run any Cover 2 with a 3 man line, that gives you a nice wall in the middle, but you don't get much pressure. Also, when I run man, I usually drop a DE into a zone coverage.

# 3 dlamb919 @ 08/05/08 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bumble14


	The only drawback is if you are playing with a low rated team, and a team with poorly rated CB's, you will struggle. But still, I have found it possible to hold the CPU's passing percentage down on a regular basis.

That's why I mix in zone at least 25-35% of the time. Keeps the computer guessing (atleast I want to believe it confuses them). I'm playing a dynasty with LA-Lafayette and I usually keep the computer under 225, which makes me happy. When I play with UGA, though, I can easily keep the computer under 190.

# 4 cardinalbird5 @ 08/05/08 04:34 PM

I do play a lot of 2 man under and never had problems, so maybe thats why. I mix in zones and blitzes too, but mainly sticking in man is the way to go.

# 5 NoleFan @ 08/05/08 04:40 PM

Sounds interesting. I'll give this a try when I get home.

# 6 fistofrage @ 08/05/08 04:57 PM

Aren't the zone issues supposed to be fixed in the 2nd patch?

# 7 dlamb919 @ 08/05/08 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LJay


	i can stop the passing game but i can't get enough sacks as soon as i get pressure the QB makes a quick pass i can get pressure with my CPU controlled defenders but if it's me who gets the pressure the QB always makes a quick read even before his receiver gets off the line and runs his route sometimes it's like the CPU refuses to let the user get a sack and it never throws the ball away

What is enough sacks to you? I average around 4, which is normal. Most bad teams gave up an average of 5 or less - like Notre Dame last year. I think a lot of people on here that complain about not getting sacks and pressure expect to bring the QB down like a dozen times.

You can send blitz even with man coverage, but the more effective plays will usually leave a man open, which is fine if you get back there in time. Or when you do blitz, overload one side and/or send the blitzer from the outside.

# 8 Bumble14 @ 08/05/08 05:00 PM

This is seriously an outstanding article. I basically have been playing defense the way this article points out since the day I got the game. I figured it out maybe during my second game that zones leave holes open-which I found pretty realistic because lets face it, in real life teams do not play zones against spread offenses like Florida, or Boise State. Man defense is the only way to beat the spread. Because of this mindset I never got mad when the computer would check down to the safety valve (HB), on a 3rd and 10 for a 7 yard gain when I went to a zone coverage.

I too have been having the cpu throw deep on me regularly, something that many "doubted" when I brought it up in a previous post. Man defense allows this to happen- of course the cpu isn't going to throw deep on you in a cover2 or 3 zone- it wouldn't happen in real life.

Basically, the computer takes what you give it and I sort of like it. It makes defense more challenging and strategic as opposed to the standard cover3, cover3, cover 3 I'd always run back in previous games.

Let's face it guys, I think we all got a little spoiled with how easy it was to play defense in past versions.

# 9 cardinalbird5 @ 08/05/08 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bumble14


	This is seriously an outstanding article. I basically have been playing defense the way this article points out since the day I got the game. I figured it out maybe during my second game that zones leave holes open-which I found pretty realistic because lets face it, in real life teams do not play zones against spread offenses like Florida, or Boise State. Man defense is the only way to beat the spread. Because of this mindset I never got mad when the computer would check down to the safety valve (HB), on a 3rd and 10 for a 7 yard gain when I went to a zone coverage. I too have been having the cpu throw deep on me regularly, something that many "doubted" when I brought it up in a previous post. Man defense allows this to happen- of course the cpu isn't going to throw deep on you in a cover2 or 3 zone- it wouldn't happen in real life. Basically, the computer takes what you give it and I sort of like it. It makes defense more challenging and strategic as opposed to the standard cover3, cover3, cover 3 I'd always run back in previous games. Let's face it guys, I think we all got a little spoiled with how easy it was to play defense in past versions.

Boise doesn't run the spread, hate to burst your bubble, but I know what you are saying.

I disagree with some of it though. Cover 2's are vulnerable down the seams of the middle of the field and the sidelines past the CB's press. 2 man under is harder to beat deep. Sometimes a post route will work, but it would have to be on the money.

# 10 fistofrage @ 08/05/08 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bumble14


	This is seriously an outstanding article. I basically have been playing defense the way this article points out since the day I got the game. I figured it out maybe during my second game that zones leave holes open-which I found pretty realistic because lets face it, in real life teams do not play zones against spread offenses like Florida, or Boise State. Man defense is the only way to beat the spread. Because of this mindset I never got mad when the computer would check down to the safety valve (HB), on a 3rd and 10 for a 7 yard gain when I went to a zone coverage. I too have been having the cpu throw deep on me regularly, something that many "doubted" when I brought it up in a previous post. Man defense allows this to happen- of course the cpu isn't going to throw deep on you in a cover2 or 3 zone- it wouldn't happen in real life. Basically, the computer takes what you give it and I sort of like it. It makes defense more challenging and strategic as opposed to the standard cover3, cover3, cover 3 I'd always run back in previous games. Let's face it guys, I think we all got a little spoiled with how easy it was to play defense in past versions.

But the underlying issue is that the zones are broken. The AI does take what you give it. Thats great it should. Problem is you give it on zones because of a glitch. Basically the Computer is a Cheeser, exploiting something that is broken.

Fix the Zones and the game gets much closer to being the game we all want. I thought they said they addressed it in the patch.

# 11 sportyguyfl31 @ 08/05/08 05:14 PM

The only issue I have with this, is that it seems more like a work around, then anything strategic, in order to play reasonable pass defense.

I have a real problem with the idea of having to junk 30-50% of the defensive playbook simply to get this to happen.

I'd rather use a good set of sliders that help create more realistic results, and use all of the defensive plays in my arsenal, rather then play like this.

# 12 Beardown @ 08/05/08 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LJay


	i can stop the passing game but i can't get enough sacks as soon as i get pressure the QB makes a quick pass i can get pressure with my CPU controlled defenders but if it's me who gets the pressure the QB always makes a quick read even before his receiver gets off the line and runs his route sometimes it's like the CPU refuses to let the user get a sack and it never throws the ball away

This is my frustration exactly. I have the CPU QB throw in less than a second. I get plenty of pressure but never a sack. What I get instead is picks. The CPU QB will simply not be sacked instead they just throw really quick and many times for picks. It is completely insane. I can deal with everything else in this game except this. I am so tired of it I can't wait for Madden to come out so hopefully I can actually sack a QB. I get 1 sack a game if I am lucky, many games I get 0.

# 13 ChicagoSparty @ 08/05/08 05:19 PM

I've been playing a lot of man-cover 2 coverage with similar results, because my corners have high MCV ratings and my safeties have high ZCV ratings.

# 14 capp34 @ 08/05/08 05:19 PM

GREAT ARTICLE...

.I have been saying this all along. I have always played majority man and I only recruit man corners.

Now let the bashing begin from the people who refuse to play like this.

# 15 cardinalbird5 @ 08/05/08 05:24 PM

This won't work online though.

# 16 stoncold32 @ 08/05/08 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capp34


	GREAT ARTICLE....I have been saying this all along. I have always played majority man and I only recruit man corners. Now let the bashing begin from the people who refuse to play like this.

No one is bashing, but this is simply a workaround to a issue that should not be there in the first palce. Why do we even have other defensive sets in the game if man is the only thing we should play in?

# 17 kindella2 @ 08/05/08 05:35 PM

i think it depends on the speed of the defense. faster defenses play play better man to man IMO while zone is fine they tend to play according to zone rules so to speak. thus the semi break down in coverage. I play with UGA and FSU on dynasties and they play fast thus more picks and lower completions for the CPU.

With other teams with average defenses more completions are made and zone is not an option versus the CPU.

# 18 BlyGilmore @ 08/05/08 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sportyguyfl31


	The only issue I have with this, is that it seems more like a work around, then anything strategic, in order to play reasonable pass defense. I have a real problem with the idea of having to junk 30-50% of the defensive playbook simply to get this to happen. I'd rather use a good set of sliders that help create more realistic results, and use all of the defensive plays in my arsenal, rather then play like this.

well i'd say the QB spy part is certainly a work-around.

the rest of it is really just a change in playing philosophy. I would say most folks who play heavy zone didn't arrive there because they loved zones but they took what the game gave then and adjusted accordingly.

The past few versions of NCAA and Madden have made zone coverage preferable to man. There was just too much risk of the WR or HB or TE breaking one tackle and then being off to the races.

Going back to pre-ps2 Madden folks played a lot more man coverage because it was too easy to pick zones apart if you knew it was coming.

So really things are coming fully circle in that regard.

As for versus online opponents - the number one thing is always going to be mixing up your playcalling and keeping your opponent guessing.

IMO way to many folks spend oodles of time worrying and practing their offense but completely neglect their defense.

# 19 BlyGilmore @ 08/05/08 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlamb919


	What is enough sacks to you? I average around 4, which is normal. Most bad teams gave up an average of 5 or less - like Notre Dame last year. I think a lot of people on here that complain about not getting sacks and pressure expect to bring the QB down like a dozen times. You can send blitz even with man coverage, but the more effective plays will usually leave a man open, which is fine if you get back there in time. Or when you do blitz, overload one side and/or send the blitzer from the outside.

this is one of the problems IMO. folks have no idea what realistic is and are basing things on what they perceive to be realistic not what really is. Folks are used to playing games for years and getting 5 sacks a game.

Personally I never put a ton of emphasis on getting sacks. Instead i'm more worried about hurrying the QB and making him throw the ball before he wants to - especially against human opponents.

# 20 cardinalbird5 @ 08/05/08 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlyGilmore


	well i'd say the QB spy part is certainly a work-around. the rest of it is really just a change in playing philosophy. I would say most folks who play heavy zone didn't arrive there because they loved zones but they took what the game gave then and adjusted accordingly. The past few versions of NCAA and Madden have made zone coverage preferable to man. There was just too much risk of the WR or HB or TE breaking one tackle and then being off to the races. Going back to pre-ps2 Madden folks played a lot more man coverage because it was too easy to pick zones apart if you knew it was coming. So really things are coming fully circle in that regard. As for versus online opponents - the number one thing is always going to be mixing up your playcalling and keeping your opponent guessing. IMO way to many folks spend oodles of time worrying and practing their offense but completely neglect their defense.

I have pretty much always been a believer in 2 man under and making the offense work for their points. It worked well for me last season. I only allowed around 11-12 ppg online in both Madden and NCAA. This year man just sucks online. HB's burn linebackers like it is nothing. Linebackers take such horrible angles , as well.

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