NCAA Football 09 Reviews

• A clear improvement over NCAA 08 in features/PS3 quirks

  
  By AGJ0NQD5T6WFG on 2008-07-15
  I picked this game up to replace last year's version, and as a huge fan of college football I was pleased to see some neat additions (such as icing the kicker) that became a big part of the lexicon during last year's crazy season.
  
  If you've played any of the games in the NCAA series, you know what to expect. Some new features for this year's version include "celebrating with the mascot" where you can run over to the mascot after running a touchdown and perform an animated celebration (mascot worshiping you/dancing around/etc.). The sideline players/cheerleaders/coaches actually exist this year, unlike in NCAA 08 when they mysteriously weren't on the sidelines during a game. You'll see cheerleaders dancing, players on the sidelines getting out of your way, etc. so the stadium atmosphere is much more alive than it was in last year's version.
  
  Some new gameplay options are tweaks to the way running plays work. No longer can you just click 'go' and push forward, you can now find and exploit holes in the defense, you can get your offensive line to shift to one side to cover your option play, you can basically fine-tune your plays a bit more (as well as bluff your play art when playing side-by-side with a friend, something you couldn't do before).
  
  On passing plays, you no longer have to worry about the AI intercepting the ball constantly. If they aren't facing it, they won't catch it. If you throw it directly into coverage though, do expect to be picked off.
  
  Tackling has been upgraded, as has evasion. You can evade tackles if you know what you are doing, and you can also one-arm tackle, hit the player so hard they bust a flip and fall flat on their back, and basically do much more than just dive and pray like in NCAA 08.
  
  Other neat features such as online dynasty mode, the ability to set up songs from playlists to play when certain things happen, downloading rosters, etc. give you much more in terms of having customization over your game.
  
  Basically, each particular area in the game has been tweaked in just the right areas, and this is much more of a transition than 07 was to 08.
  
  Bottom line: If they take what they have here and improve it for NCAA 10 then you can expect me to be a happy gamer for a while to come.
  
  My only caveat with the PS3 version (I have both 360 and PS3) is that the controls are not quite as fluid. More often than not I was passing to the wrong guy, or lobbing the football like a girl. This is probably just due to the sixaxis way of handling the game, but maybe also because I was leaned back when playing and it probably didn't like that orientation. Otherwise - excellent choice for your system.
  
  

• ea continues to ruin sports games.

  
  By A3TSEJCV0VS0LE on 2008-07-18
  ok they have exclusive rights to ncaa and nfl teams and players. why should they put any effort into making the games? this is a terrible excuse for a game. no formation subs no pregame from herbie lee and the crew, and tons of glitches including one that prevents you from being able to name the full rosters. but with no competition, why would they try to make a good game? here is a tip, buy phil steele's college preview magazine, hold it sideways and flip it like a flipbook. that is much more entertaining than this travesty. and just so you know, the ncaa series has been my favorite since ps1, so im not just hating. its truly an awful game if you love or played college football in your life.
  
  

• Huge improvement...could still be better

  
  By A2NO4NPWLNZ378 on 2008-07-16
  First thing...this game is far and away a superior title to last years horrendous offering, and don't get me started about the 07 version. Gameplay is much improved with the game having a more natural feel and flow to it overall. You actually get a sense that you have some control over what you're doing, and what you may do next, when it comes to running with the ball. The previous versions were nothing more than an advanced guessing game with some less than intuitive button mashing going on to try and get to the next level. With 09, you can see the play developing and can react accordingly. The passing game benefits from this as well...I no longer feel immediate pressure to get the ball in the air the second I snap it. There is no issue with setting up to throw and finding a receiver for the most part. Of course you don't have all day either, and it's this solid balance that gives it that more authentic feel while running your offense.
  
  Defensively...there is still alot of guess work involved...especially with rushing the passer. I wish it was more intuitive in regard to collision detection with the offensive lineman while using a defensive line player. I'm hoping this is something that gets easier to gauge as I continue to play. Linebacker play isn't all that bad, but you have to be careful not to lean on that left stick too much before the snap, or you will quickly put yourself either offside or out of position. Secondary play might as well not be allowed. I don't know anyone that ever bothers to start with a defensive back when playing these games.
  
  Overall...very fun game. Would like to see some of the old PS2 bells and whistles added back in...like editing my coach, or playbook editing...but this is still a very fun game.
  
  It looks amazing as well! I am so glad that the players no longer look like someone placed some plastic army men under a heat lamp anymore. The sizing and scaling of the player models is more true to life than it had been on next-gen consoles. They all still look like their skating up field still, but this is a very small issue considering that they have definitely improved on the player animations when tackling and making plays. (I flipped the first time one of my players broke into the open and then "looked back" at everyone after a few more steps)
  
  The mini-games seem like they would be a great way to have fun online. Not sure how interesting the online dynasty will be...but we'll see...and one last thing...the recruiting has been revamped to make it as easy or involved as you would like it to be. (HUGE improvement!!)
  
  Bottom line...BIG fun...grab your wallet...pick this one up!
  
  
  

• A nice Upgrade from '08 but....

  
  By A26G68Q5VGBR24 on 2008-07-17
  A nice upgrade - Some nice new features added and graphics are very nice. Gameplay is better then '08 and looks more realistic.
  
  However one disappointment is that there are still no officials in game (though now when penalties are called it does have an official calling those). For a realistic looking football game it would be nice to have officials on field during the game.
  
  Overall if you enjoyed NCAA '08 I'd recommed NCAA '09 for the PS3.
  
  

• A little step up for a lot of cash!!

  
  By A3G6AFYB4UIQMN on 2008-07-17
  I have bought NCAA Football year after year hoping that at some point they will start to make big updates and each year I am pretty let down. This year was better than some, but still pretty pathetic. This is not a cheap game and you don't get a ton for your money.
  
  I like some of the changes like the recruiting assitant and the improvements to the campus sidelines. The passing game is still pretty poor and it's not just the sixaxis controller. The QB can't over throw a receiver, which is just ridiculous when you consider how often it happens in actual football. The recruiting is still pretty bad. Bascially, if you are USC, Texas or Notre Dame you can land any recruit you want despite having back to back to back losing seasons. Winning a National Championship doesn't improve recruiting like it does in reality.
  
  I guess that I am tired of shelling out a chunk of cash every year and getting just a minor improvement over what I already had.
  
  
• Time for a REAL update EA.
  By A3RFLUDURWP3HQ on 2008-07-21
  This game has just been getting minor improvements for years now, and 09 is no exception. Its not that good of a game anymore, its time for a serious overhaul. Plus you throw in the fact that the game is loaded with bugs this year and you have a game that can be passed on. Very underwhelming overall. The gameplay is better with some new animations, but there are so many annoying quirks that ruin it, players will run out of bounds even when they are wide open and running for a TD, linebackers will turn and run in the opposite direction of the ballcarrier, cornerbacks will hesitate and stand straight up to allow an offensive player to make a play, D-linemen are useless and will be wiped out by the worst o-lines in football. All of these are due to EA's attempt to make the gameplay more wide-open. Essentially all they did was make the AI defense absolutely retarded. Plus there is a roster bug where entire teams will literally disappear. Seriously. Also the biggest new feature of the year "Online Dynasty" is completely broken for most users. Again this game is so dated now, and the bugs/glitches this year just ruin it.
  
  
  
• Mediocre graphics and lots more in-game advertising than ever before
  By AY2MW9P28HQ5G on 2008-07-22
  I'm not really sure what's different about this year's version - the only thing I noticed is a lot more in-game advertising and the frame rate has been slightly improved. In the course of the first ten minutes of playing the game I saw ads for Old Spice, Pontiac and Coca-Cola. Outside of that I think they may have changed some of the overhead angles of the stadiums during the cut scenes. The players still look like original XBox graphics and the animation doesn't seem expanded or improved in any way. So EA is selling advertising in their games but still keeping the price a full $60. If the last 5 years are any indication, Madden will also suffer from the same lack of development combined with tons of new in-game advertising.
  
  
• Game Sucked
  By A1SYDZC56RH2SK on 2008-07-18
  I don't know if this is how all college football games have but here it is. I played the demo for this. After all these years they couldn't make the people watching the game look really good a lifelike, instead they are just a blurred looking thing. The gameplay was alright. In madden '07 which is what I have and the other ones, you could press a button before snapping the ball that would show where your people would be going (their routes). Well now they got rid of that and made the whole presnap thingys confusing. The playbook used to be easy and now they have some gay crap. The audible tools on defense are confusing too. This game is the worst football game I have ever played and 60 bucks for just a sports game. If you get bored with it, that is a waste of 60 dollars.
  
  
• It's college football season
  By A1OL00G6DTJBKS on 2008-07-20
  This game surpasses all college football games out there today. Once again EA has caught the bull by the tail. Whether you play in dynasty mode, or become a legend in legend mode, noone get's you in the game like ea does. If you want true to life, and you want that feeling like you are in the stadium, then here it is. This so true, you can almost smell the hot dogs, and hamburgers. The online feature is there to connect you to the rest of the ea nation, everyone is represented East Coast, West Coast, Beginner's, or create your own league, and invite upto 31 friends to take part. The player animation's are more robust than years past, and all the excitement of the college game is in the game. Stiff arm, twist, turn, juke, side step, and take it to the big house. Got a mascot, then celebrate your touchdown with him. Cheerleader's, yeah we got 'em. NEW... I'll tell you what's new in this years version... you want to ice the kicker, then call that late time out, and watch the kick meter ice over, now hidden from view timing is everything. Shake your opponet by getting the crowd in a frenzy. Getting that national championship is not going to be easy.....Not this year.
  
  
• NCAA Football 09 PS3
  By A1B21I0FNOFL2D on 2008-07-20
  I love this game its way better than last year versions; the only thing I can't figure out is to pump fake. But I rush my self throwing sometimes because of last years nano jump the snap glitch they really took care of that; even for me I don't rush the passer like I used to but the game is really fun.
  
  
• An improvement over last year
  By A15X8LUOOQ1MWT on 2008-07-22
  I was hesitant about buying this game after being disappointed in the last several years versions, but I will say this year is an improvement.
  
  I like the improvements made with the recruiting assistance, the player graphics and animations are better, I like the way the pre-snap routes will be squiqqly when playing on the road in a hostile environment, the re-addition of the cheerleaders is a good thing, and just playing the game is funner than last years.
  
  I am disappointed in the way the crowd looks though, and there are a few glitches that bug me as well, such as when you throw passes near the sidelines your player will tip-toe and stretch to make the catch and fall down, even if they're not right next to the sideline, and have plenty of open field ahead of them. There are still some things that they can be improved upon to make it an even more enjoyable game playing experience, but I still like it.
  
  
• Better than last year's
  By A3L22PKZ5QJXLZ on 2008-07-19
  Right at the start of each game, as soon as you start playing youll already say this is better than last years. If you like passing the ball, this game is a dream come true. Its true what they say, its more wide open than ever. This years NCAA FOOTBALL game is definitely all about Offense, although i think its a little easier to stop the run.
  
  anyways buy this football game and enjoy.
  ps
  was i the only person to notice that FSU is better than USC. what the heck is that all about? FSU is probably the greatest football team in videogame histroy! (im not a seminole fan either)
  
  
• EA Sports Does It Again
  By A1YDFH62OZIN7M on 2008-08-11
  NCAA Football 2009 is by far the BEST yet. Sure, there are still some areas that can be improved upon or fixed. But, the game play, crowd interaction, icing kicker option, and many many other things make this an impressive and incredible game. I have been playing this nightly and can't seem to get enough. This WILL have you screaming from your couch just like watching real NCAA football.
  
  COOL ITEMS:
  
  - Icing the kicker: Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't but it's a cool and welcomed addition to the reality of football.
  
  - Turnovers aren't quite that easy: In 2007-08, picks and fumbles were all over the field. Now, having to be more aligned with the ball and needing a bit more skill, it's not a turnover free for all.
  
  NOT SO COOL ITEMS:
  
  - Celebrate with the Mascot: It's cool for the first few times but gets a bit repetitive or boring. Would be great if you could use select buttons to execute a celebration (or unlock celebrations with 'user' points
  
  - The graphics can be a bit "choppy". Someimes the ball magically moves out of the QBs hands or receptions go through a players head/arms. These glitches should have been fixed by now considering the technological & graphical improvements already made.
  
  - Guessing the defense when you turn the ball over? What does this really get you other than an intermission? And added feature would be gaining coaching experience points when getting it right in order to unlock hidden playbooks or even plays of the other team (game film for future games).
  
  RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE (IF EA EVER LOOKS AT AMAZON): User tackles and such don't do much for you: Would recommend making 'user points' like you get with Madden. Maybe then you can earn points toward player improvements, coaching improvements, or even buy things for your campus (a new library, new uniforms). Just would make it even more fun to knock around people and have interaction! Include this and a celebration addition and it'll be even greater!
  
  Overall - I give this 5 STARS and recommend it to anyone that LOVES football. It's as real as it gets!
  
  
• Online Dynasties ROCK!
  By A212MDP6K4VJS5 on 2008-09-03
  I am taking a break from my busy online NCAA 09 dynasty schedule to write a review of this awesome game. This version of NCAA is leaps and bounds better then previous versions due to the addition of online dynasties. Yes, they have also upgraded the graphics, added the cheerleaders and put nice little touches in like tight rope runs down the sidelines and kickoff teams stretching and prepping.
  
  But the big news here is the online dynasties *you can still do offline dynasties too and even convert an online dynasty into an offline one. You choose a team and build that team through recruiting and winning games. You make promises to incoming recruits and redshirt players and you make sure you are under the 70 player limit. This was only available offline before. Taking dynasties online has propelled this game to a new level. You are now playing someone, season after season and chasing not only the National Championship but Conference Championships and Rivalry wins.
  
  I have the new Madden too and while Madden has online leagues they are nothing like online dynasties. In Madden you choose a team, and if you want, do a draft for your entire team. Then in Madden you play whatever other player you want to in your league. Not so in NCAA 09. You start with the current players your team has in real life and while you can drop and add non conference games you are locked into your team's conference schedule. Of the 2, I currently play NCAA 90% of the time.
  
  Here is my breakdown of the game:
  
  PROs
  
  -Graphics
  -Gameplay and commentators are realistic
  -ONLINE DYNASTIES with up to 12 players!!!
  -You can voice chat with everyone in your dynasty while you are logged into the main area.
  -A few more penalties then last year making it a little more realistic
  -Controls are the same as last year and same as Madden
  -Many more audible options then before-Specific plays plus Play Types (run,quick pass, cover 2 etc) as well as O Line slide to counter D Line
  shfits
  -A tremedous amount of detail that does a great job of emulating real college football atmosphere
  -All the Bowl games and Tons of Rivalry Game hardware to win and store in your "shrine"
  -Ability to upload your favorite play movies to your profile at EA
  Sports World
  
  Cons
  -Not all team mascots are in the game
  -Team rankings for some teams are arguably wrong.
  -Sometimes defensive players just stand there and don't go after the
  ball carrier.
  -There is a weird new "bobble" run that I am not sure if its a bug or not
  but sometimes your ball carrier runs like he has a wedgie
  -99 speed receivers can't outrun 91 speed CBs and safeties
  -You can sim games that are blowouts so you don't sit there through a boring game. However when you sim you are much more likely to have injuries that can have serious effects on your team.
  -AI games are pretty much wins. Being beat by the CPU is a rarety
  
  There are some bugs that were supposed to be addressed in a second and final patch that was released on August 29. Unfortunately it did not address some of the more serious problems and even created a new one. A major bug in the online dynasty is that in the offseason your best couple of undergraduate players will want to go to the NFL draft or even transfer to another school if they are reserves and have a good rating because they want to start. You can talk them out of it. Well there is a bug that even though you talk them out of leaving, when you complete the offseason they leave anyway. Well this can be devastating to your team when your key players leave. Patch 2 was supposed to fix it and it didn't. Since Patch 2 there is a new bug. In shotgun plays TEs and CBs will line up in slot positions. Hopefully EA Sports will release another patch soon to fix these bugs.
  
  
  
  
• What Happened???????
  By A2NBRNOQC9TO33 on 2008-08-10
  They took out all the things that made the game Fun; developing players during preseasons in dynasty mode (mini camps), pre-game and in game commentary, constant game time stats, player accolades and summaries, the momentum meter, etc... The game looks good but does not feel the same. Why mess up a good thing EA? I have been a loyal fan since the beginning, but I most likely keep this game on the shelf, return it or sell it this year...I hope you guys didn't ruin Madden this year.
  
  Disappointed Fan
  
  
  
• Worst version I have ever played.
  By A1C40G2JQ541Z8 on 2008-08-21
  This was a major step backward; I would say six years or so. The game plays awful, it's slower, you can't set up the controller the way you want to. The rosters are wrong and the playbook modification option is gone. The recruiting during the season is absolutely ridiculous. They took a major step in the wrong direction. The people who made this year's version couldn't have played the other versions before. Sucks bad!
  
  
• Updated Rosters, Slightly better gameplay
  By A35VWWVGSJXBI4 on 2008-08-25
  This year I was very excited to get the new NCAA Football game. Unfortunately, as usual, EA Sports failed to live up to the hype. While the gameplay is more fluid than in seasons past, and the tackling is "somewhat" more realistic, there are still several flaws that make this game not really worth the ticket price. For starters, everyone runs like they are highstepping... all the time. In real life they would get jacked up and seriously injured if they ran like that. Next, I really wish they would have added the new Madden gamestyle that tailors the game to your level. Instead you still have it being too easy at one level and then when you up it to the next level, it's not more difficult, but your Oline decides they don't have to block anymore, your receivers forget how to run routes, and your QB with a 95 arm strength becomes a "candy arm" QB. This is not how they difficulty levels should be. Make it more challenging, yes! But not challenging in that the computer cheats more. In any case, if you are a die hard football fan it is a good game, but go with the new Madden instead, Madden actually changed a few things this year that matter.
  
  
• Huge upgrade
  By A1BII157P01JEX on 2008-08-29
  This is a significant upgrade for the PS3 from NCAA 08, so if you are debating whether to buy the new version my answer is "Most definitely, buy this version". The player control is smoother, greater attention to detail with the stadiums, crowds, etc, and the mascot challenge is an enjoyable break from the action. From the moment I broke it out of the plastic I haven't been able to put it down. Once you have configured the game for your team, there are even unique pictures for that particular team that you will recognize if you went to that particular school.
  
  One minor glitch I have noticed is that occasionally when reviewing your play call on the field, the receiver routes will get all wavy (best way I know how to describe it) and the receiver designation will appear as a question mark, rather than circle or square. I'm thinking this is a memory writing issue with the game as it goes away with the next play called.
  
  
• Needed my football fix!!
  By A1JP1ANMXEKRYY on 2008-07-16
  Football season can't get here quick enough. I needed my fix so I picked this up yesterday. Glad I did!! Great fun playing. Graphics...gameplay...everything was well done.
  
  
• great just wish they had side view
  By A1J2RXM3CXCB00 on 2008-07-17
  THE GAME IS FUN, BUT I JUST WISH THE GAME CAME WITH SIDE VIEW LIKE PS2 HAD BACK IN THE DAY. THAT VIEW MAKES IT SEEM LIKE YOUR IN THE GAME
  
  
• Ncca football'09
  By A2UZ8RDKV136NO on 2008-07-28
  This game rules Ncca football 09 a must for any football college fan . this game is all out fun to play on the playstaion 3 not boring at all you will love this game Ncca 08 was fair to play this is better than 08 Ncca 09 just better.
  
  
• Still needs a little...
  By AV4YO2IIBDN8L on 2008-07-30
  I give this game 4 stars simply because I am an avid football fan and with EA having exclusive rights to be the only College football game maker I really have no other choice.
  
  Overall, there are some things that need to be tweaking in my opinion. I think that the graphics have greatly improved. From the addition of the sidelines and cheerleaders to the fluidity of the game play. I still think that the graphics can be a little better tho. As far as recruiting goes...This is the biggest thing that needs to be improved. Yeah, it has come leaps and bounds since the beginning of the in game recruiting but still falls well short of what it could be. For example, you can create a player and enter them into the recruiting database. Make them hail from your home state, give them all 99 ratings, and just call them every week and they will land on your team. I think that I have figured out how to recruit effectively though in the game. However, after playing my first season as the Iowa Hawkeyes and easily winning the National Championship on All-American difficulty I fell to #23 in the next season rankings because my recruiting class was terrible. In that respect I think that the game is very unrealistic. You can be OSU, USC, UF, ND, or Oklahoma and still score the best classes year in and year out not even doing much recruiting and ending each season with a losing record and not even making a bowl game. I tested it and proved it with USC. I played a season with them, purposly lost over half of my games, didn't recruit at all, missed a bowl game, and ended the season unranked. I landed like 12 top 100 recruits, 6 5-stars, and 4 4-stars from all over the country. And to begin the next season I was ranked #5...real life...I think not.
  
  Now on to my second season with Iowa. I changed the difficulty to Heisman. After winning the National Championship the previous year, I only scored 2 5-stars and 4 4-stars. 1 of the 5-stars happened to be a RB that I created and the other was from in-state. To begin the season I started out ranked #23. How does this happen after winning the National Championship? Returning 10 offensive starters and 9 defensive starters. So I changed my schedule during the pre-season to play Missouri (ranked #1 pre-season) in my first week and to play Oklahoma (ranked #2 pre-season) in week 6. After blowing out Missouri and their terrible run defense I moved to #21. Enroute to playing OK at their field at this time I was 5-0 and only ranked #15. OK was ranked #1 when I played them and I beat them 42-24 and only moved to #12. I will say however, that I have noticed that recruits are gaining more interest in my school, but I am still losing them to other HIGH TRADITION schools and finishing 2nd on their lists. I guess to really become a power house in Dynasty mode that you have to get at least 3 seasons or so under your belt. Stand by for my season 2 and 3 update after I win 2 straight Nat. Championships.
  
  As far as in game play goes...the running game is way too easy in my opinion. I do like the adjustments made to the highlight stick for this year. It seems to make the right decision MOST of the time when used in traffic or the open field as far as what your player should do. If you need anything within 4-15 yards (sometimes more) run any type of toss play and you are almost guaranteed at least 5 yards. If your running back has an overall of 90 or higher it is VERY easy to get 200+ yards per game in Heisman mode against any opponent. As far as passing goes, it is a little more realistic. It is impossible to over throw your receiver. The INT's are greatly reduced if you make wise throws. I will say, however, that it is a little more difficult to pad stats in the passing catagory this year. Sometimes my QB, with a rating or 88 now, will just throw a lame pass into no mans land when a WR is wide open for no reason.
  As for defensive play...when playing against the CPU, any player with a star around their feet is a BAMF and is much much better than anyone else on the defense, almost to the point that it is just way too unfair. Like running towards a CB that only has a tackle rating of 55 with my RB that has 92 ELU and 94 TRK will tackle you 75% of the time in the open field of you don't juke or spin out of their way.
  Best way to play in ONLINE! The only way to really compete is against a real player. Get your friends together and start an online Dynasty. This is the only true way to play for real because everyone has different playing styles and different play calling styles.
  
  Lastly, if you love football like I do...THIS GAME IS A MUST HAVE! (not just because there is no other choice for College Football) Because it is fun, entertaining, and its FOOTBALL!!
  
  
• NCAA 09
  By A2Z7WWDGPDOLE8 on 2008-08-08
  This game is A LOT of fun! From the very realistic college atmosphere, to the way the visiting team gets rattled in that atmosphere. The crowd graphics aren't that great, but that doesn't bother me...I mean if it looks great, cool, if not, well, you're not playing the crowd anyway. The controls are seamless this year as you can string together jukes in spins for an array of elusiveness. The smart route was a very nice addition which allows your receivers to pass the sticks for the yardage needed to gain a first down. My only question is if there is a way to beat the "Ice the Kicker" feature(You can turn this off, too). I think the idea is a great one, but when this feature is engaged, I don't know if it's possible to overcome...it may be a little to hard. I would recommend this game to any fan of football...an absolute blast!
  
  
• NCAA Football 09
  By APKTDGGKS96JS on 2008-09-07
  I really like the NCAA Football series so this game was a must have for me. With all new animations added to this year's version it definitely tops last years version.
  
  
• Great Graphics-Mediocre Gameplay
  By A2DR1W8VCTY4V9 on 2008-10-01
  I had been playing the PS2 version of this game since 2004. I was disappointed with the PS2's 09 game. So, I went out and bought a PS3 and this game.
  I was not overly impressed. The graphics are excellent, the stadiums and background are very good. I have been to Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin dozens of times. It was like sitting in the upper deck again, looking out across the city.
  I didn't find the gameplay to be much better than the PS2. The Dynasty mode is decent. The recruiting is a little more involved than the PS2, but not that complicated that it makes you go nuts. The ESPN crew is there, along with the cheerleaders. But there is no campus challenge, no 'cheat' bonus pennants to use if your QB is getting sacked to much, or your team has fumbleitis. Movement seems to be in slow motion, and like they are running on ice, or suspended a few inches off the ground. Ball carriers will suddenly veer out of bounds for no apparent reason
  The Campus Legend mode leaves a lot to be desired. No ESPN crew or cheerleaders (just the team mascot). You only control your player. If you aren't the QB the CPU calls the plays, and rather stupidly. The CPU will frequently call pass plays on second and one, and third and one. With a small lead, with a few minutes left in a game it calls pass plays. I was playing WR, and the CPU called six straight HB screen passes. That's basically watching the game play it'self, no interaction. In fact it can be very BORING. Give play calling back to the user, you EA Sports morons!!!
  Forget being a defensive player in Campus Legend. No matter how high you raise the AI in your favor over the CPU, your defender seems to be very slow and can't free themselves from a blocker no matter what you do.
  Passing is messed up game wide. The QB's will complete 75% to 80% of thier passes. But they can't seem to throw long, or ever overthrow a receiver. I find the AI passing to be the biggest frustration about this game. EA Sports needs to program some errant passes or dropped catches into next years game. All the CPU QB's play like Graham Harrell of Texas Tech.
  Hopefully future versions of the PS3 game will improve. At $60 it better, or I will be hanging onto my old PS2 games.
  
  
  

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