Gamespot Playbooks Q&A and current gen NCAA Images

[LBzrule]

Here ya go fellas. Let's look at some of the new formations.

Nevada Pistol

[djwill13]

what the hell is screen 4?

[LBzrule]

what the hell is screen 4?


Screen 4. LOL. I've seen that before but can't remember the name of it.

[LBzrule]

Full Story here:

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sports/ncaafootball07/news.html?sid=6151404

[Absolut]

Northpole. I have seen it in high school and if I'm correct it was called Northpole or something like that.

[ROCKZILLA]

should be a hechuva game. can't wait:)

[bcrisraider]

pic 4, i can't believe they have this on there. the name is slipping my mind right now though. the only thing is, when i saw it, it was out of shotgun.

[GatorBait]

OH MY GOD! This is exactly what a playbook-junky like myself has been dreaming of for the past few years, but I never thought it would actually happen!!! I have to give EA MAJOR props for this. They are really surprising me and exceeding my expectations with this playbook overhaul.

One of the things I love so much about college football is the differing styles of play. Unlike in the NFL where most teams run basically the same sets, NCAA teams run offensive schemes that run across the entire continuum of play styles. I'd frequently see teams running plays and formations Saturday after Saturday and dreaming that they could someday be in NCAA, but I knew it would never happen...looks like EA has proven me wrong!

Screen #4 is a formation called Emory and Henry - one which I was hoping would appear this year after learning that there would be 87 new offensive formations, but didn't realistically think would be in the game. It was originated by Steve Spurrier and first used with the mid-90's Gator teams - if my memory serves me correctly, he first used it in the '96 game at Tennessee. I also saw South Carolina use it on occassion last year. It can be a very deadly formation because you can easily exploit a defense if they line up incorrectly.

Even small changes with the playbooks would really help to mold and create a specific style of play for a team. For example, differentiating between Tennessee's I-Form vs. Ohio State or Texas' I-Form. Tennessee's should never have option plays or QB runs, whereas both OSU and Texas would have those plays in their I-Formation playbook. Also, another example: Texas Tech and West Virginia use a lot of the same formations (4 WR/1 RB/Shotgun), but their styles of play are polar opposites - WVU runs a power running game out of the spread, whereas TT relies almost exclusively on the pass with screens and draws constituting the bulk of their running game. Another small thing like Michigan's tight WR alignments - which are in the game, is an awesome step to feeling like you are actually using Michigan's playbook and not just a generic, rehashed playbook that every other team on NCAA uses. Flexed WR formations have been needed for some time, and they will be in the game. Wingback/H-back plays too!

Sorry, I can barely contain my excitement after seeing these pics and reading this article. This will make the game 100x more fun because I'll be playing with a ton of different teams to utilize their playbooks and offensive philosophies. This is the next best thing to a play editor.

[mad_bomber]

Also, another example: Texas Tech and West Virginia use a lot of the same formations (4 WR/1 RB/Shotgun), but their styles of play are polar opposites - WVU runs a power running game out of the spread, whereas TT relies almost exclusively on the pass with screens and draws constituting the bulk of their running game.


I think you will see this as well. :)

[Farmer]

I'm sorry to correct you Absolut, but I believe this is the true north pole...........I mean c'mon look at that formation
2988

LMAO!!!!!!

Godd**n Husker fans. LOL




-Farmer

[ChadSimons]

In all seriousness though, if there are offensive formations like this in 07' -- can the defensive AI compensate to cover the gimmicky formations? In the 2 screenshots I saw of the Emory & Henry formation and the trip WR's stacked the defense stays in it's predetermined spots, that can't be right can it?

[bcrisraider]

Northpole. I have seen it in high school and if I'm correct it was called Northpole or something like that.


holy crap, your northpole thing just made me remember what the name of it is. the only thing i have ever heard that called is the Lonesome Pole Cat

[bcrisraider]

In all seriousness though, if there are offensive formations like this in 07' -- can the defensive AI compensate to cover the gimmicky formations? In the 2 screenshots I saw of the Emory & Henry formation and the trip WR's stacked the defense stays in it's predetermined spots, that can't be right can it?


they may have just been in zone, which against those is obviously a big mistake. but i would think even the way it is now that if you went man, the defenders would follow them over there.

[clemsonfan]

That formation has been used by a few teams with various names. Clemson called it the "POD" formation and ran it a few times when Rich Rodriguez was the OC. I too am concerned the defensive AI might not be able to handle all of these gimmicky formations. When Clemson ran it, they only did it a few times in one game of the season. There's a reason teams seldom lineup and run a formation like this. It is only good to surprise the defense for a couple of plays and hopefully get a quick score or big gain.

[mad_bomber]

That formation has been used by a few teams with various names. Clemson called it the "POD" formation and ran it a few times when Rich Rodriguez was the OC. I too am concerned the defensive AI might not be able to handle all of these gimmicky formations. When Clemson ran it, they only did it a few times in one game of the season. There's a reason teams seldom lineup and run a formation like this. It is only good to surprise the defense for a couple of plays and hopefully get a quick score or big gain.


The most common name for that formation is "Emory and Henry". It's named after a small school in Virginia where according to some was the first time it was ever used. Maybe our resident historian COG could shed some light on that formation's origins :p.

[GatorBait]

The most common name for that formation is "Emory and Henry". It's named after a small school in Virginia where according to some was the first time it was ever used. Maybe our resident historian COG could shed some light on that formation's origins :p.

You've got it right, as far as I know.

[CrazyOldGuy]

Maybe our resident historian COG could shed some light on that formation's origins .

I thought you and Gatorbait summed it up nicely Bomber:) I don't have much to add, other than from at strategy perspective look at the problems that formation causes the defense that's been called?

Can you say "bubble screen" or "Pop Pass"? Hopefully ea's Mr. White and Richart put those in the playbook.. the D only has two guys vs offenses 3 (including an impact player) to the right and left.

Its not exactly weak on the run either ...let the DE to the right crash and you run a speed option on him, totally outflanking that defense.

You know if the kiddies could put away the Kraft Singles for a minute they could unleash formations like that on somebody.... who needs cheese when you have legitimate football genius like that at your hands?

I'll keep my fingers crossed, it sounds like they worked hard to get as much as possible in the game, I was kind of intrigued by the puntarooski....:p

[GatorBait]

I thought you and Gatorbait summed it up nicely Bomber:) I don't have much to add, other than from at strategy perspective look at the problems that formation causes the defense that's been called?

Can you say "bubble screen" or "Pop Pass"? Hopefully ea's Mr. White and Richart put those in the playbook.. the D only has two guys vs offenses 3 (including an impact player) to the right and left.

Its not exactly weak on the run either ...let the DE to the right crash and you run a speed option on him, totally outflanking that defense.

You know if the kiddies could put away the Kraft Singles for a minute they could unleash formations like that on somebody.... who needs cheese when you have legitimate football genius like that at your hands?

I'll keep my fingers crossed, it sounds like they worked hard to get as much as possible in the game, I was kind of intrigued by the puntarooski....:p

I'll admit, I was somewhat intrigued by the puntarooskie too. I had heard of it, but I didn't know exactly how it was executed. After seeing EA's video of it, I thought there was no way that play could really exist. I searched around, and lo and behold, I found a video of it. Crazy play. The up-back who ended up running the ball on the fake was none other than Leroy Butler.

Edit: Oh yeah, from a strategy perspective too, one of the best additions to this game is the ability to have 4 audibles per formation. You can now actually play a strategic chess game at the line of scrimmage much like many teams do. Line-up, read the defense, and then try to exploit it by audibling out of a potentially bad play.

Can you imagine what next-gen 08 is going to be like once they meld together the best of what is on current gen and on next gen? 119 fully rendered stadiums, hopefully the D-IAA and Historic teams added, the team specific playbooks (with hopefully the additional 25-30 formations that the guys at EA said they couldn't fit into 07), maybe even the RFTH mode modified to be much like Madden's version of this feature where you are locked onto your specific player and only play as him - I'd actually venture to play this mode if it were like this. It looks like the future of NCAA could be very bright.

[tdc01]

Edit: Oh yeah, from a strategy perspective too, one of the best additions to this game is the ability to have 4 audibles per formation. You can now actually play a strategic chess game at the line of scrimmage much like many teams do. Line-up, read the defense, and then try to exploit it by audibling out of a potentially bad play.



This will be great. But the only problem I see with this if you are on the road and the HFA kick and your WR's or RB's act like they can hear the play. I just hope EA tone it down some. Right now on 06 I can call an audible on the road because it take to long to get it to work.

[instant000]

This will be great. But the only problem I see with this if you are on the road and the HFA kick and your WR's or RB's act like they can hear the play. I just hope EA tone it down some. Right now on 06 I can call an audible on the road because it take to long to get it to work.

Exactly.

It sucks to play against someone as the road team for this reason.

And, guess what? If you play in a neutral stadium, it's easier to audible
than if you're at home.

Playing at a neutral stadium is the same thing as HFA off.

But... if it is on, you call an audible at home, slight delay before you can do
anything. You're on the road, and you're lucky if the audible goes through
until after 2 or 3 tries.

And, if you're playing an overly aggressive blitzer who's pumping up the
crowd (keep in mind that there are no mass-protect pass plays by default)

You can easily get into a situation where you can't run (due to the over-
aggressive blitz) and you can't pass since you can't audible enough
protection to block because of the crowd noise.

This is an EXTREMELY wack feature.

Come on, HFA is wack, and implemented poorly. All it meant was that you
can't audible, and if you catch the wrong end of the momentum stick, you
can face a snowball effect.

Now, at least they admit they have a momentum system in the game, and
give us a chance to see how we can affect it positively.

I would rather they took it out of the game. Any momentum a player gets
should come from "making or not making plays" on their own.

While Tecmo (way back in the day) had implemented something where a
player's condition could vary during the course of the game (Average, Good,
Excellent, etc.) and over the course of a season, that wasn't too bad.
It'd be even nicer if you could get the boost due to logical reasons. Like
a couple good plays, and then you increase in ratings.

I had a player sitting on my bench, not doing a gosh-darned thing in the
game, and he was getting a boost for no apparent reason??? Huh? My
punter was getting positive points, and he wasn't even punting anything?

NO!

Come on, we need to campaign against momentum entirely. No momentum.
Let the players decide the game on the field. The variances in skill level
should be enough.

Sure, *small* gains due to good performance, but nothing so huge it can't
be overcome. Hot streaks are good, but ... come on.

Hah, I'm dissing the new game sight unseen. Maybe EA breaks my
pessimistic spirit? :)

[ChadSimons]

Exactly.

It sucks to play against someone as the road team for this reason.

And, guess what? If you play in a neutral stadium, it's easier to audible
than if you're at home.

Playing at a neutral stadium is the same thing as HFA off.

But... if it is on, you call an audible at home, slight delay before you can do
anything. You're on the road, and you're lucky if the audible goes through
until after 2 or 3 tries.

And, if you're playing an overly aggressive blitzer who's pumping up the
crowd (keep in mind that there are no mass-protect pass plays by default)

You can easily get into a situation where you can't run (due to the over-
aggressive blitz) and you can't pass since you can't audible enough
protection to block because of the crowd noise.

This is an EXTREMELY wack feature.

Come on, HFA is wack, and implemented poorly. All it meant was that you
can't audible, and if you catch the wrong end of the momentum stick, you
can face a snowball effect.

Now, at least they admit they have a momentum system in the game, and
give us a chance to see how we can affect it positively.

I would rather they took it out of the game. Any momentum a player gets
should come from "making or not making plays" on their own.

While Tecmo (way back in the day) had implemented something where a
player's condition could vary during the course of the game (Average, Good,
Excellent, etc.) and over the course of a season, that wasn't too bad.
It'd be even nicer if you could get the boost due to logical reasons. Like
a couple good plays, and then you increase in ratings.

I had a player sitting on my bench, not doing a gosh-darned thing in the
game, and he was getting a boost for no apparent reason??? Huh? My
punter was getting positive points, and he wasn't even punting anything?

NO!

Come on, we need to campaign against momentum entirely. No momentum.
Let the players decide the game on the field. The variances in skill level
should be enough.

Sure, *small* gains due to good performance, but nothing so huge it can't
be overcome. Hot streaks are good, but ... come on.

Hah, I'm dissing the new game sight unseen. Maybe EA breaks my
pessimistic spirit? :)

You're exactly right instant000. If you're going to implement a system where the ratings fluctuate over the course of a game, is it too much to ask that they make some kind of sense to whats happening on the field? The players ratings bob and weave for no particular reason, and don't even get me started on impact players going in and out of the zone for no on-field reasons at all. The only thing that seems to work is that when momentum swings against you you're entire team is reduced to no talent pop warner level players. Way to go guys -- nothing like getting all these nuances wrong, and the one you get right is so over the top that it destroys any chances of normalcy sometimes..................

I played a game the other day that was close into the middle of the second quarter. I picked a pass &threw a long TD. On the ensuing posession a three and out produced a punt return for a TD. At that point -- in just that 40 seconds of game my opponents team was reduced to 1-AAers. They couldn't block, throw, run, hold onto the ball or tackle. I did not throw a pass at all in the second half and was using my backup FB at RB. Even then I think I still could have scored. I was using max zones with 2 man rushes and getting consistent pressure, and even more laughable were the run plays blown up in the backfield by my monster 2 and 3 man fronts. (No I wasn't line stunting either) On offense he had a steady dose of overthrows dropped passes and fumbles. It's just rediculous.

Although it worked in my favor this time, It usually feels like it's going against me. Rant over, but man, it seems like it would be easily fixable.

BTW Instant what happened to ending your post with "have a nice day" ?