NCAA Football 12 News Post

Building a Better NCAA Football 12

12:36 PM - January 13, 2011 by RaychelSnr

NCAA Football 11 gave thousands of eager fans the first quality HD college football experience during this generation of consoles. But now with January already upon us, and NCAA 12 deep into development, it is only a matter of time until the NCAA Football 12 details start emerging. January is also the month that I begin my coverage of the newest NCAA game.

This first article will focus on some of the things NCAA 11 did extremely well, as well as the areas that still need improvement in order to push the game to the next level.

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# 1 NDIrish98 @ 01/13/11 12:54 PM

Please have bowl patches in ncaa 12, pleeeeeeease!!!

# 2 Tickkid @ 01/13/11 01:09 PM

Really I would like to see the ability to implement a playoff system if you would like. And not only that, the ability to add and remove teams from conference, add conference championship games as well. You could make created teams and have them move up over the years, things like that. They also need to bring back the penalties that a team can get during the recruiting process. Putting in the coaching carousel like in College Hoops, and making it so that individual head coaches are far more important this time around (and carry their own play calling style and such that will move with them from team to team) would assist in this aspect and give a bit more when you also create a coach that can move from team to team.

# 3 sportyguyfl31 @ 01/13/11 01:16 PM

I love this game, and still play it near every day. I dont see that changing until NCAA 12 released.

This is the most fun I have had playing next gen football, and it isnt even close.

I think it is ahead of Madden to be honest.

There are a few things that I think EA should consider.

1) They need to reclassify the Quarterback categories.

You cannot use QBs in this game, like Cam Newton or Denard Robinson are used, because they are either going to fumble the ball all over the joint, or get injured.

These type of QBs run like HBs, but in NCAA 11, the simply run like fast quarterbacks.

College QBS need to be classified as:

Pro Style: Your Landry Jones, Andrew Luck, John Brantley, Matt Barkley type

Spread Balanced: Colt McCoy: He's a good thrower, with good enough wheels to hurt you, if you dont honor the QB keep.

Spread Option: Your 15-20 carry a game, spread QB. They should have HB like running ratings, and be able to throw on the move, better then from in the pocket.

2) Run blocking out of the shotgun needs to be enhanced. In NCAA 11, running the ball out of the shotgun is more about tricking someone, and catching them off-guard, as opposed to being able to line up and run it.

3) Balance between man and zone coverage: Too much route mirroring in man coverage, too little assignment recognition in underneath zone coverage.

4) Ditch the gameplanning.
--its silly. My players ratings and situational awarness should dictate how well they play. I shouldnt have to tell my defense to "key pass" on 3rd and long, so that the pass rushers and coverage people, dont get duped on PA Pass.

5) PLaybook creator!!
--I appreciate the Run & Shoot being in the game. Its my all time favorite offense..unfortunatrly there are a ton of formations and plays that have nothing to do with the R&S (Hawaii and SMU playbooks with a TE formation??) Allow me to remove the clutter and keep what I want.

# 4 jyoung @ 01/13/11 01:18 PM

Funny thing is, they had the option to end the season in a playoff way back on the Genesis with College Football USA '96.

Like next-gen Madden, the "HD" versions of NCAA have suffered from still lacking tons of options that used to exist in the older NCAA games.

# 5 gilla @ 01/13/11 01:32 PM

the NCAA doesn't allow them to put in a playoff format, so thats off my list.

I'd love to see ESPN integration with stat overlays and pregame/halftime shows
dreads, eyeblack, mouthguards, more helmets/faceguards.
*hopefully they have the teams moving conferences in the correct years in dynasty*
effective CPU scrambling would add tons to the gameplay too

# 6 LionsFanNJ @ 01/13/11 01:58 PM

Dreads.

outside of that, I'd like more diverse recruits. It was a step better this year, but there still was nowhere near enough rup option type QB's with speed, or true power backs, recieving TEs, Speed rush DE (and HEAVY close to 300 pound lineman) and no true ATH. they were only good in one position.

Running QB's running, both on scrambles and the intended option plays and schools recruiting to their strengths is another big thing.

Also, DREADS.

# 7 PATFINEST54 @ 01/13/11 02:02 PM

WHY WHEN IM RECRUITING ALL THE GOOD SCAMBLING QBS R WHITE IS THAT TRUE?

# 8 Gotmadskillzson @ 01/13/11 02:11 PM

Well you know me, SCRAMBLING QBs. Players with the scrambling tendancy should take off way more then any other QB. In reality most scrambling QBs always look to run 1st when given the chance to and pass 2nd, since most QBs of this type aren't good throwers to begin with.

Over all all QBs in this game should take off when the pocket collaspe and they see a freakin DL coming right at them instead of just sitting there. And for the love of all mighty, have QBs move to the left side of the field sometimes instead of side stepping all the way to the right all the time.

Zone blocking needs to be better tuned too or they need to dial back the block shedding of the DEs in this game. Way too many times I see DEs blow by Tackles. And even worse then that, majority of the time the RBs and FBs don't even pick up the guy, instead they just stand there and watch the QB get bull dozed.

Read option needs to be improved, the CPU really don't execute this play correctly. Mainly because the Tackle not only lets the DE go free, but they ALSO let the OLB go free as well against a 4 DL defense. You can't have both go free.

Stiff arms in this game needs to be greatly improved as well. It really doesn't do anything when the user uses it and only works 5% of the time when the cpu uses it. Stiff arms suppose to push people back up off you.

Game would be so much better if weight actually mattered. No way should a 170 pound RB be able to steam roll over a 330 pound DT. I know last year they talked about linemen getting pushed back, but on passing plays you really don't see it at all. On passing plays DL either gets through or they get knocked to the ground.

Snaps shouldn't be automatic success either. Their should be a snap rating for centers. Where as if they are a freshman or sophmore they should do some bad snaps half the time. Or if they getting dominated all game by a beast of a DT, they should mess up sometimes because they worried about blocking that beast.

Weather should have more of an effect on snaps too. When it is raining, windy or snowing, centers should do more bad snaps on shotgun formations because of the slippery ball.

Punts blocks need to be in this game. Makes no sense I had NCAA 11 since release day and never seen a punt block in this game. Never even got close to one because there is no penetration what so ever, it is like an invisible force field break wall. Punts being blocked is a huge part of college football, it happens every saturday in real life.

CPU AI ball carrier logic needs to be improved too. They still do a lot of dumb things at times that make you say why the hell they go that way for when the other way was wide open ?

More fake plays by the cpu. CPU needs to do way more fake punts and fake FGs, I think I only seen the cpu do a fake punt only once.

A much improved Game planning is needed, game planning should be the way Madden 11 has it, in the sense you actually get to choose the play that is called the most for different situations. And for the love of all that is mighty, let it be for play now games along with dynasty mode games. And allow you to game plan for the cpu controlled teams as well as the user controlled teams.

I am sick of seeing the same 5 plays called 98% of the time. I am sick of seeing them throw a deep route on a 3rd and 2 situation.

# 9 stcloudgopher @ 01/13/11 02:15 PM

1. Defense - With you 100% with the defensive problems. I LOVE a 13-6 game that has me freaking out when the opposing team passes midfield. As much fun as it is hitting my big WR down the sideline for a 70-yard TD, there is something (more?) to be said for being able to grind out a drive against a quality defense. Add in the inability to use slants and streaks at will, improve the passing arc (therefore keeping those LBs on the ground) and adding the ability to use a game-breaking DL would help the defensive part of the game to the nth degree.

2. Spread/option/spread option - This has officially become the offense in college football. Over the past few seasons, teams have tinkered with it. Now the Heisman is decided by it. RBs are recruited for it. And (back to No. 1) defenses are completely baffled by it. This is easily the biggest problem facing this franchise. But if No. 1 isn't fixed, we'll either get the same problems that the current game has, or the pendulum will swing too far in one direction.

3. Coaching carousel - This is actually my No. 1, but I cannot allow it to be based on the fact that gameplay rules all. I'd love to see coaches (and coordinators) matter, but not at the cost of actual in-game issues like above. That said, this HAS to be in the next version if I am going to be 100% on board. If a carousel indeed comes to fruition, I hope there is a coordinator aspect to it as well. Along with that is the progression of your coach. In the role of coordinator, and you have to work your way up the ladder. After a successful year or two as a coordinator, imagine the problem of being offered the chance to be a head coach at UConn, or taking a coordinator spot at Florida. Both would have a positive effect on your profile. Maybe being a head coach adds prestige while staying an assistant adds experience. I would love to see an AD mode as well. Being able to build a stadium, and add-on when the time comes, would be fun.

4. Blocking/play action - The pocket is better than ever, that I can say. But the broken play action system makes setting up those plays worthless. I understand that the PA pass is not a guarantee, but it's not a guaranteed sack for the D, either. Run blocking is pretty solid, though a good tuner set is needed to not put 400+ on the state sheet every week. Downfield blocking by receivers is spotty -- exactly how it should be.

5. Other issues - A few quick thoughts on some other not-so-big, but sometimes-glaring problems:
a. Special teams - Have yet to block a FG/PAT, and get a punt once every 10 games or so. I don't expect one every game, but if there was a way to emphasize it (through a coaching carousel/slider) then I could try to play Beamer Ball. If I discourage the block, and want to return instead, then allow me the now-impossible chance of returning a punt.
b. Dynasty recruiting - Something must be done about promises and points. The promises do not seem to carry enough weight, and I would love to see a recruit tell me that Mack Brown promised not to RS him, would I do the same? Points wise, well, I'm not sure what to say. The "-1" thing is irritating, as is seeing a guy soft commit in week 7 only to stay there while teams 3 and 4 catch up, then hard commit in week 14. It seems like a waste of time and effort.
c. Dynasty issues - There are several pressing issues within the Dynasty mode. Recruits, both in initial ability and progression, leaves something to be desired. I have had more than one season where there are no RBs with A+ speed and B+ or better acceleration. I get a lot of "speed" backs that have B speed and C+ acceleration. Fix it.
A more glaring issue with recruiting is teams not recruiting to their strength. Georgia Tech taking a pocket passer, Miami hoarding 7 QBs while running out a 55-overall kicker. Talent is spread among the very top teams, and only gets worse as the years pass by.
Another thing that gets worse the deeper into a Dynasty you go: undefeated teams. Seven 0-loss teams at the end of the regular season is nothing shocking here. I've even resorted to not using any team that is not in the SEC or B1G 10. In one of my Dynasties, Texas put up a 56-game win streak -- and never even sniffed the title game. In that same Dynasty, Miami had a 36-game streak with only one NC game appearance, while Penn State won five titles while Bama (4), Oregon (4) and USC (3) have also dominated through 22 seasons. (Washington won the 2010 title in that Dynasty. Yeah.)

# 10 Dazraz @ 01/13/11 02:23 PM

Excellent Blog & some great comments. Lets hope after a big step last year EA don't just go through the motions this time around.

# 11 thatmandrehall @ 01/13/11 02:29 PM

One thing i can say that everybody likes, is the little stuff. Like uniforms ,shoes, and gear, i like the dirty uniforms that have come, but one thing that i would like to see is even dirtier uniforms if in muddy or just a hard hitting game: Make the numbers dirty , if your running back is running his legs off make one of his socks slide down, and if i quaterback gets hit hard enough make there shoulder pads come out of jerseys, aslo another little thing is the clarity, if your playing at oregon, then the turf should look so green that it looks like your in the stands, if its artifical turf then when someone is running make the dirt come up, or turf. The last thing i would like to see is add double hitting like when if some one is getting wraped up then someone else can come detroy him. thats all

# 12 paibama10 @ 01/13/11 02:40 PM

in dynasty mode, let me pick what i want to "pitch" to recruits. makes no sense that it picks a random topic.

the game needs more actual band songs and crowd chants that really happen at games. i know at every Bama game, the band plays several songs and cheers (Rammer Jammer!). those need to be in the game to give it a more realistic feel.

custom playbooks! that was in the game a few years ago.

this one is probably wishful thinking, but i'd like to be able to edit existing team uniforms. it would be cool to be able to give alabama an updated alternate uniform.

# 13 cdhdawgs @ 01/13/11 02:44 PM

I think a big thing they could do is add more jerseys and jersey options. One of the most frustrating things is not having multiple jersey options. I was even willing to use Microsoft Points to buy them. Adding this will make each team seem more real

# 14 Gotmadskillzson @ 01/13/11 02:45 PM

Oh yeah........a much improved commentary where as they actually talk about what is going on in the field and in dynasty talk about how a player been doing all season long and how they did last game.

In the second half of the game they should talk about how a player did in the 1st half. They need an actual halftime and post game show too.

I swear the commentary hasn't changed since NCAA 2000. They still using the same lines over and over again.

Hit stick needs to be greatly improved upon. If I push up on it, I should hit the guy up high, if I push down on it, I should hit the guy in the legs. The way they got it now, you just hit the guy in the gut.

Over all they need different types of tackles you can do. High tackles, low tackles, shoulder tackles, wrap tackles up high, wrap tackles down low.

I remember years NCAA Gamebreaker had this and it was awesome to have a variety of tackles a user could do. More user control. Hell NFL 2k5 had that too.

Along with the different type of shoulder charges and spins a user could do while running the ball.

# 15 Gotmadskillzson @ 01/13/11 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdhdawgs


	I think a big thing they could do is add more jerseys and jersey options. One of the most frustrating things is not having multiple jersey options. I was even willing to use Microsoft Points to buy them. Adding this will make each team seem more real

Umm no, I am not for having to buy stuff that should be in the game for free. Besides Ben the producer already said some jerseys aren't in the game because the school themselves don't want that particular jersey in the game.

# 16 bigdoc85 @ 01/13/11 03:05 PM

I definitely want to see enhancements to TeamBuilder details to make players and teams look more like they are supposed to. For example, I don't want visors on my 1979 USC Trojans. And some guys have hair that protrudes out of the helmet (dreads, mullets, etc -- that would be good to see. Further, being able to input real hometown info would be nice.

# 17 statum71 @ 01/13/11 03:18 PM

I'm so glad you put presentation first. This is STILL....in 2011......STILL the area EA needs the most improvement.

I cannot believe we don't have a halftime show.

# 18 Gotmadskillzson @ 01/13/11 03:35 PM

Yeah sad indeed.......I remember on Madden 96 back on the Playstation One, had a pre-game, halftime and post game show and they were using CDs back then. They had actual live real people in them too.

Hell nowadays we can't even get an animated version of the people, all we get is a voice.

More importantly I hope they test this game playing against the CPU and not human players. Human vs human will always be exploitable due to its humans controlling the action.

Last year NCAA 11's bark was 10 times louder then it's bite. It remains me of my youth when you always had a kid in school who always talked a big game but couldn't back it up.

And that is NCAA 11. The running game isn't a threat like they said it was. Spread offense isn't a threat like they said it was. Dual threat QBs weren't a threat at all. Dynasty recruiting logic was still broken because you still had schools recruting players that didn't go with their style of offense.

# 19 JDMADDICT @ 01/13/11 03:56 PM

I'm addicted to NCAA '11!!! I'd LOVE to see better in-game stats as well as a score ticker of other games like when you're watching a real game. Also, i really think the game of the week should have the CORSO HEADGEAR PICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whats a college football Saturday without Corso & his mascot heads?!?!?

# 20 stlducks @ 01/13/11 03:58 PM

Besides the normal things like gameplay and scrambling quarterbacks this game would be so much better if they had different commentary. I know having a lot of commentators would be to hard but if you hard herbs and musberger just do the big games or night games and then someone else can do the other games.

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