Category: NCAA Football 14

EA Sports has released 2 new NCAA Football 13 screenshots in advance of tomorrow’s big news and complete details on the new NCAA 13 game mode, “Heisman Challenge.”  While very little is known about what it will include at this point, there has been a lot of hype surrounding former Heisman trophy winners with Barry Sanders and Robert Griffin III on the cover.

Tomorrow there will be a full reveal, so be sure to check back on our homepage then.

The latest NCAA Football 13 video was released today via the EA Sports YouTube channel featuring the Maryland Terrapins vs. the Michigan Wolverines.  The video shows off a few improvements like a better read option, wide receivers creating space out of their breaks, the bubble screen, the comeback route and the ability to lead an open wide receiver.

My initial analysis of the video is very hit and miss.  The improved read option is something that has been needed for the last few years.  Even if you made the correct read, you would gain maybe 3 yards every time.  This year it looks like they have improved that.  The comeback route is also improved.  Defenders don’t break on the ball before the receiver plants his foot for the comeback.  This is much more realistic than ever before.

However, there were a few things in the video that I aren’t all that great.  The first is the bubble screen.  There are lots of college programs who run some form of the bubble screen for a big chunk of the game.  In the video it still looks like the bubble screen can only be effective your opponent is in a zone defense that doesn’t have anyone in the light blue flat zone and still can’t be used at all against man to man defense.  You will notice that even in the video when everything lines up perfectly for a bubble screen, you only get 2-4 yards.  From what I have over the last few years of watching college football, bubble screens either go for negative yards or 8-12.  Hopefully this can still be corrected or the video just happened to show two plays where it happened that way.

The other thing I am still a little confused on is the difference between this new ability that is being touted nearly every video about “leading an open receiver.” How is this different than precision passing that has been in the game for the last 5 years?

Nevertheless, it is great to see  NCAA 13 gameplay.  Look for another video coming next Thursday.

Many of you dedicated VG Strategy readers know that I have a strong dislike for USC football but when news comes out about NCAA Football 13, even my dislike for the Trojans won’t stop me from spreading the news.  Earlier today, EA Sports released a video on their Youtube page showing off a smart portion of a game between Oregon and USC.

Although they noticeably called the place where USC plays the “USC Stadium” instead of the LA Coliseum (presumably due to licensing issues), there were some fantastic features showed off.  In the video below, you can see USC’s pre-game ritual, the studio pre-game show, and the new live look-in feature.

In the beginning of the video, there is a title called, “Quick Clips Thursday” which leads us to believe that every Thursday there will be more gameplay videos coming out from around the country.

IMPORTANT: If you haven’t already heard there is a huge deal going on right now for NCAA Football 13. Only $44.99 with 99 cent release date shipping, no tax, and the Exclusive Nike Pro Combat Uniforms.  I don’t know how long the deal will last so get  your pre-order in today on the XBOX 360 or PlayStation 3!

Amazon.com and Toys R’ Us have both marked down NCAA Football 13 to $44.99.  A few days ago this deal was only on the XBOX 360 version of the game but it has since been expanded to include PlayStation 3 as well.  This may be one of the best pre-order deals of all time.  If you order through Amazon, you get release date shipping for a maximum of 99 cents, you have no tax, you receive the exclusive Nike Pro Combat Uniforms, and a $15 price cut!  There is no telling how long this deal will last so you should move quickly if you plan on buying NCAA 13.

We should be clear that this is not a post-release price slash which indicates that the game may be underselling or underperforming.  This is a retailer based cut which has nothing to do with the quality of the game.  Order your copy today!

The team at EA Sports is taking another step in the right direction with the NCAA Football 13 dynasty mode.  While it isn’t as exciting as the announcement about gameplay a few weeks ago, there are still a few new features to get excited about.  Some of these updates include:

1. Rece Davis joins the broadcast crew of Kirk Herbstreit, Bred Nessler, and Erin Andrews providing authentic commentary.
2. Recruiting grades can now change on a weekly basis based on your performance the week before.
3. There will be live in-game studio updates.
4. An ESPN bottom line ticker to keep you informed on the happenings around the dynasty.
5. Various scouting and recruiting improvements.

Check out the videos below for more details.

Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

UPDATE! Amazon.com has NCAA Football 13 on the XBOX 360 for only $44.99.  Pre-order today to lock in that price!

NCAA Football 12 disappointed a lot of fans.  There is no way of getting around that.  However, NCAA Football 13 actually looks like a massive improvement and will include features that the community actually wants.  After holding community day a few months ago where they brought together various influential figures in NCAA Football 13, things look to be improved.  In a webcast earlier today the developers talked about some of the features and improvements that they will be implementing into the NCAA Football 13 gameplay.

Some notable improvements include:

1. Read and react defensive AI.
2. No more psychic defensive backs.
3. New playaction passes.
4. Receivers are only available to throw to when they are looking.
5. Disguised Man/Zone coverage.
6. Different hot routes for running backs including swings routes and block and release routes.
7. Improved custom playbooks.

Check back in on May 7th where the EA Sports team will be discussing dynasty mode in NCAA Football 13.  Take a look at the video below that highlights some of the improvements.  Let us know what you think in the comments section.