NCAA Football 2005 Walkthrough

By Doug Radcliffe
Design by Marty Smith

EA Sports brings one of the most exciting elements of college football to NCAA Football 2005: home field advantage. Get the crowd on your side with stadium pulse, disrupt the visiting squad’s audibles, and rattle their big stars. This NCAA Football 2005 game guide offers team breakdowns, offensive and defensive guides, and online strategies for PlayStation 2 and Xbox Live.

This GameSpot NCAA Football 2005 game guide includes:

• Team Stats: Look here for stats for all I-A, I-AA, and historic teams. Also includes a rundown of the 25 toughest places to play!
• The Top 25: This section offers analysis and key player statistics for the top 25 teams in NCAA Football 2005.
• Dynasty Mode: Check this section for tips on recruiting in dynasty mode.
• Offensive Gameplan: This section provides tips for running effective pass, run, and option plays. Includes tips on the new match-up stick, home field advantage, and compiles the best offensive players in the game.
• Defensive Gameplan: Manage a strong defense with these tips on formations, match-ups, and player control.
• Online Strategies: Conquer the competition online with these strategies specific to PlayStation 2 and Xbox Live play.
• Cheat Codes: This section reveals NCAA Football 2005 pennant cheat codes.

Chapter 1 - Team Stats

The following chart reveals the overall, offense, defense, special teams, and prestige ratings for all 119 I-A college football teams. These ratings were gathered from a fresh Dynasty.

PRESEASON RANK	TEAM	CONFERENCE	OVERALL	OFFENSE	DEFENSE	SPECIAL TEAMS	TEAM PRESTIGE
#1	USC Trojans	Pac-10	A	A-	A+	A+	6 stars
#2	Oklahoma Sooners	Big 12 South	A+	A+	A+	A	6 stars
#3	LSU Tigers	SEC West	A-	A-	A-	B+	6 stars
#4	Georgia Bulldogs	SEC East	B+	A-	A-	C+	6 stars
#5	Miami Hurricanes	ACC	A-	A-	A-	B	6 stars
#6	Florida State Seminoles	ACC	A-	A	A-	B+	6 stars
#7	Texas Longhorns	Big 12 South	A-	A-	A-	A-	6 stars
#8	Ohio State Buckeyes	Big Ten	A-	A-	A	A	6 stars
#9	Michigan Wolverines	Big Ten	B+	A-	A-	B+	6 stars
#10	Florida Gators	SEC East	B+	A-	B	A-	6 stars
#11	Tennessee Volunteers	SEC East	B+	A-	B+	A-	6 stars
#12	Auburn Tigers	SEC West	B	B+	B+	B-	5 stars
#13	Virginia Cavaliers	ACC	B+	A-	B+	B+	4 stars
#14	Kansas State Wildcats	Big 12 North	B	B+	B	B	4 stars
#15	Clemson Tigers	ACC	B-	B	B	B-	4 stars
#16	Iowa Hawkeyes	Big Ten	B+	B+	A-	B+	5 stars
#17	Nebraska Cornhuskers	Big 12 North	B+	B+	A-	B+	5 stars
#18	Louisville Cardinals	C-USA	B	B	B-	C+	3 stars
#19	West Virginia Mountaineers	Big East	B+	A-	B+	B	4 stars
#20	North Carolina Wolfpack	ACC	A-	A-	A	B	5 stars
#21	Minnesota Golden Gophers	Big Ten	B+	A-	B	B+	4 stars
#22	Wisconsin Badgers	Big Ten	B	A-	B	B	4 stars
#23	Cal Golden Bears	Pac-10	B	A-	B	C	4 stars
#24	Maryland Terrapins	ACC	B+	B+	B+	A	4 stars
#25	Utah Utes	Mountain West	B	B	B	B-	3 stars
#26	Purdue Boilermakers	Big Ten	B	B+	B-	B+	4 stars
#27	Virginia Tech Hokies	ACC	B+	B+	A-	B	5 stars
#28	Missouri Tigers	Big 12 North	B+	B+	B+	B	3 stars
#29	South Carolina Gamecocks	SEC East	B+	B+	B+	B	4 stars
#30	TCU Horned Frogs	C-USA	B	B+	B-	C+	3 stars
#31	Southern Miss Golden Eagles	C-USA	B+	B+	B+	B+	3 stars
#32	Oregon Ducks	Pac-10	B+	B+	B	B+	5 stars
#33	Toledo Rockets	MAC West	B	A-	B-	B	3 stars
#34	Oklahoma State Cowboys	Big 12 South	B	B+	B	B	3 stars
#35	Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets	ACC	B	B	B	C	4 stars
#36	Oregon State Beavers	Pac-10	B+	B+	B+	B-	4 stars
#37	Alabama Crimson Tide	SEC West	B	B	B+	C+	5 stars
#38	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	1A Independents	B+	B+	B+	B+	6 stars
#39	Miami (OH) RedHawks	MAC East	C+	B-	C+	B-	2 stars
#40	Boston College Eagles	Big East	B	B	B+	B	3 stars
#41	Michigan State Spartans	Big Ten	B	B	B	B	4 stars
#42	Arizona State Sun Devils	Pac-10	B	B+	B+	B-	4 stars
#43	Washington State Cougars	Pac-10	B	B	B	B-	4 stars
#44	Texas A&M Aggies	Big 12 South	B+	B+	B	B+	5 stars
#45	Wake Forest Demon Deacons	ACC	B	B+	B	B	3 stars
#46	Penn State Nittany Lions	Big Ten	B+	B+	B+	B+	5 stars
#47	Memphis Tigers	C-USA	B-	B+	C+	C+	3 stars
#48	Colorado Buffaloes	Big 12 North	B	B	B+	B-	4 stars
#49	Texas Tech Red Raiders	Big 12 South	B	B	B-	B	3 stars
#50	UCLA Bruins	Pac-10	B+	B+	B	A-	4 stars
#51	Ole Miss Rebels	SEC West	B+	B+	B	A	3 stars
#52	Boise State Broncos	WAC	B+	B+	B	B+	3 stars
#53	Syracuse Orangemen	Big East	B	B	B-	B	4 stars
#54	San Diego State Aztecs	Mountain West	C+	B-	B	D+	2 stars
#55	Bowling Green Falcons	MAC West	B	B	B	B	2 stars
#56	Hawaii Warriors	WAC	B	B	B	B+	3 stars
#57	New Mexico Lobos	Mountain West	B-	B-	C+	B	2 stars
#58	Washington Huskies	Pac-10	B	B	B+	B	5 stars
#59	Marshall Thundering Herd	MAC East	B	B+	B	C-	3 stars
#60	Fresno State Bulldogs	WAC	B+	B+	B	B+	3 stars
#61	Arkansas Razorbacks	SEC West	B	B	B	B	3 stars
#62	UConn Huskies	Big East	C+	B	B-	C-	2 stars
#63	Pittsburgh Panthers	Big East	B	B+	B+	B	4 stars
#64	Cincinnati Bearcats	C-USA	B	B+	B+	B	2 stars
#65	Houston Cougars	C-USA	B	B+	B-	C+	2 stars
#66	North Carolina Tar Heels	ACC	B-	B	B-	C+	3 stars
#67	Northern Illinois Huskies	MAC West	B	B+	B	B-	2 stars
#68	UNLV Rebels	Mountain West	B-	B	B	C+	2 stars
#69	Kansas Jayhawks	Big 12 North	B-	B	B-	C+	2 stars
#70	Arizona Wildcats	Pac-10	B	B+	B	B-	3 stars
#71	Kentucky Wildcats	SEC East	B-	B-	B-	C+	3 stars
#72	Vanderbilt Commodores	SEC East	C	B-	C	C+	2 stars
#73	Stanford Cardinal	Pac-10	B	B	B+	B	3 stars
#74	Illinois Fighting Illini	Big Ten	B-	B	B-	C+	3 stars
#75	Colorado State Rams	Mountain West	B-	B	C+	B+	3 stars
#76	Tulsa Golden Hurricane	WAC	B-	B	B-	C	2 stars
#77	Indiana Hoosiers	Big Ten	B-	B	C+	B-	2 stars
#78	Northwestern Wildcats	Big Ten	B	B	B+	B+	3 stars
#79	Mississippi State Bulldogs	SEC West	B	B	B+	B-	3 stars
#80	North Texas Mean Green	Sun Belt	B	B+	B	B-	1 star
#81	Akron Zips	MAC East	B-	B	B-	B-	2 stars
#82	Iowa State Cyclones	Big 12 North	B	B	B	A-	3 stars
#83	Rutgers Scarlet Knights	Big East	B-	B-	B-	B-	2 stars
#84	UAB Blazers	C-USA	C+	B-	B-	C+	2 stars
#85	BYU Cougars	Mountain West	B-	B-	B-	B	3 stars
#86	Nevada Wolf Pack	WAC	B	B+	B	B+	2 stars
#87	USF Bulls	C-USA	B-	B-	B-	B	2 stars
#88	Navy Midshipmen	1A Independents	C-	C-	C-	C	1 star
#89	Air Force Falcons	Mountain West	C	C+	C	C	2 stars
#90	UCF Golden Knights	MAC East	B-	B-	C+	B+	2 stars
#91	Western Michigan Broncos	MAC West	B	B	B	B+	2 stars
#92	UTEP Miners	WAC	C-	C-	C-	C+	1 star
#93	Rice Owls	WAC	D	D	D	C+	1 star
#94	Duke Blue Devils	ACC	D+	C	D+	C	2 stars
#95	Wyoming Cowboys	Mountain West	C+	B-	C+	B-	2 stars
#96	Troy State Trojans	Sun Belt	B-	B-	B-	C	1 star
#97	Louisiana Tech Bulldogs	WAC	B	B	B	C+	2 stars
#98	Tulane Green Wave	C-USA	B-	B-	B-	B-	2 stars
#99	Utah State Aggies	Sun Belt	C+	B-	C+	C+	1 star
#100	Kent State Golden Flashes	MAC East	B-	B	B-	B	1 star
#101	New Mexico State Aggies	Sun Belt	C+	B-	B-	C+	1 star
#102	ECU Pirates	C-USA	B-	B	B-	B+	2 stars
#103	Baylor Bears	Big 12 South	B-	B-	B-	B	2 stars
#104	Ball State Cardinals	MAC West	C+	B-	C+	C+	1 star
#105	Mid Tenn State Blue Raiders	Sun Belt	B-	B	B-	B	1 star
#106	Temple Owls	Big East	B-	B-	B	B-	2 stars
#107	Central Michigan Chippewas	MAC West	C	C+	C	C	1 star
#108	San Jose State Spartans	WAC	C-	D+	C	C-	1 star
#109	Eastern Michigan Eagles	MAC West	C	C+	D+	B	1 star
#110	Arkansas State Indians	Sun Belt	C+	C+	C+	C+	1 star
#111	Ohio Bobcats	MAC East	D+	C-	D+	D	1 star
#112	UL Monroe Indians	Sun Belt	B-	B	B-	C+	1 star
#113	Army Black Knights	C-USA	C	C+	C+	C+	1 star
#114	UL Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns	Sun Belt	C	C	C	C+	1 star
#115	Idaho Vandals	Sun Belt	C-	C-	C	C+	1 star
#116	SMU Mustangs	WAC	C	C	C	C	2 stars
#117	Buffalo Bulls	MAC East	B-	B	B	B-	1 star
#118	Florida Atlantic Owls	1A Independents	D+	C-	D+	C-	1 star
#119	FIU Golden Panthers	1A Independents	D+	D+	D+	C-	1 star

These are the team stats for the division I-AA teams, which can be added to your Dynasty mode (they must replace one of the 117 teams listed in the previous table). If you’re up for a challenge, these are definitely the teams to pick! Low ratings and just 1 star prestige (which means recruiting will be very tough).

TEAM	CONFERENCE	OVERALL	OFFENSE	DEFENSE	SPECIAL TEAMS	TEAM PRESTIGE
Alabama A&M Bulldogs	SWAC	D-	D-	D-	D	1 star
Alabama State Hornets	SWAC	D-	D-	D-	D	1 star
Alcorn State Braves	SWAC	D-	D+	D-	D-	1 star
Appalachian State Mountaineers	Southern	D	D+	D-	D+	1 star
Ark Pine-Bluff Golden Lions	SWAC	D-	D	D	D+	1 star
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats	MEAC	D-	D	D-	D-	1 star
Brown Bears	Ivy League	D-	D-	D-	D-	1 star
Chattanooga Mocs	Southern	D-	D	D-	C	1 star
Columbia Lions	Ivy League	D-	D-	D-	D	1 star
Cornell Big Red	Ivy League	D-	D-	D-	D-	1 star
Dartmouth Big Green	Ivy League	D-	D-	D	D-	1 star
Delaware Blue Hens	Atlantic 10	D	D+	D	D	1 star
Delaware State Hornets	MEAC	D-	D-	D-	D-	1 star
E Washington Eagles	Big Sky	D-	D-	D-	C-	1 star
Eastern Illinois Panthers	Ohio Valley	D	D+	D	C-	1 star
Eastern Kentucky Colonels	Ohio Valley	C-	C-	C-	C	1 star
Elon Phoenix	Southern	D-	D-	D	D	1 star
Florida A&M Rattlers	MEAC	D-	D	D-	D+	1 star
Furman Paladins	Southern	D	C-	D	C-	1 star
Georgia Southern Eagles	Southern	D+	C-	D+	C	1 star
Grambling State Tigers	SWAC	D-	D-	D-	D+	1 star
Hampton Pirates	MEAC	D-	D-	D-	D	1 star
Harvard Crimson	Ivy League	D-	D-	D	D	1 star
Hofstra Pride	Atlantic 10	D-	D-	D-	D-	1 star
Howard Bison	MEAC	D-	D-	D-	D-	1 star
Idaho State Bengals	Big Sky	D-	D	D-	D+	1 star
Illinois State Redbirds	Gateway	D-	D	D-	D+	1 star
Indiana State Sycamores	Gateway	D-	D-	D-	D	1 star
Jackson State Tigers	SWAC	D-	D	D-	D-	1 star
Jacksonville State Gamecocks	Ohio Valley	C-	C-	C	C-	1 star
James Madison Dukes	Atlantic 10	D-	D	D-	D+	1 star
Maine Black Bears	Atlantic 10	D-	D	D-	D	1 star
McNeese State Cowboys	Southland	D+	C-	C-	C	1 star
Miss Valley State Delta Devils	SWAC	D-	D-	D-	D-	1 star
Montana Grizzlies	Big Sky	D+	C-	D	C-	1 star
Montana State Bobcats	Big Sky	D-	D-	D-	D	1 star
Morgan State Bears	MEAC	D-	D-	D-	D-	1 star
Murray State Racers	Ohio Valley	D+	C-	C-	C	1 star
N Carolina A&T State Aggies	MEAC	D-	D-	D-	D-	1 star
New Hampshire Wildcats	Atlantic 10	D-	D-	D-	D	1 star
Nicholls State Colonels	Southland	D+	D+	D+	C	1 star
Norfolk State Spartans	MEAC	D-	D-	D-	D-	1 star
Northeastern Huskies	Atlantic 10	D	D	D	C-	1 star
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks	Big Sky	D-	D+	D-	D	1 star
Northwestern St. Demons	Southland	D+	C-	D+	C-	1 star
Penn Quakers	Ivy League	D-	D	D-	D+	1 star
Portland State Vikings	Big Sky	D-	D+	D	D-	1 star
Prairie View A&M Panthers	SWAC	D-	D-	D-	D-	1 star
Princeton Tigers	Ivy League	D-	D-	D-	D	1 star
Rhode Island Rams	Atlantic 10	D-	D	D-	C-	1 star
Richmond Spiders	Atlantic 10	D	D+	D	D	1 star
S Carolina State Bulldogs	MEAC	D-	D-	D-	D-	1 star
Sacramento State Hornets	Big Sky	D	D+	D	D	1 star
Sam Houston St. Bearkats	Southland	D+	D+	D+	C-	1 star
Samford Bulldogs	Ohio Valley	D+	C	C-	C	1 star
SE Missouri State Indians	Ohio Valley	D+	C-	C-	C	1 star
Southern Illinois Salukis	Gateway	D	D+	D	C-	1 star
Southern Jaguars	SWAC	D-	D-	D-	D-	1 star
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks	Southland	D+	D+	D+	C-	1 star
SW Missouri St. Bears	Gateway	D-	D	D-	D-	1 star
Tennessee State Tigers	Ohio Valley	C-	C	C-	C+	1 star
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles	Ohio Valley	C-	C-	C-	C	1 star
Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks	Ohio Valley	C-	C-	C-	C+	1 star
Texas Southern Tigers	SWAC	D-	D-	D-	C-	1 star
Texas State Bobcats	Southland	D+	D+	D+	C-	1 star
The Citadel Bulldogs	Southern	D	D+	D-	C	1 star
Towson Tigers	Atlantic 10	C-	C	C-	C	1 star
UMass Minutemen	Atlantic 10	D	D+	D-	D+	1 star
UNI Panthers	Gateway	D	D	D+	D+	1 star
Villanova Wildcats	Atlantic 10	D-	D-	D-	D-	1 star
Weber State Wildcats	Big Sky	D-	D-	D-	D-	1 star
Western Carolina Catamounts	Southern	C-	C+	C-	C-	1 star
Western Illinois Leathernecks	Gateway	D-	D	D-	D	1 star
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers	Gateway	D	D+	D-	C-	1 star
William and Mary Tribe	Atlantic 10	D+	D+	D	C	1 star
Wofford Terriers	Southern	D-	D	D-	D	1 star
Yale Bulldogs	Ivy League	D	D+	D	C-	1 star
Youngstown State Penguins	Gateway	D	C-	D-	C-	1 star

Historic Teams

The table below reveals ratings for each default historic team available in NCAA Football 2005.

TEAM	OVERALL	OFFENSE	DEFENSE	SPECIAL TEAMS
1961 Alabama Crimson Tide	B	B	B	B-
1978 Alabama Crimson Tide	B	B	B	B+
1979 Alabama Crimson Tide	B	B+	B+	B
1992 Alabama Crimson Tide	B+	B+	B+	B+
1996 Arizona State Sun Devils	B+	B+	B+	A-
1944 Army Black Knights	B-	B-	B-	B
1945 Army Black Knights	B-	B	B-	B
1946 Army Black Knights	B	B+	B-	B
1984 BYU Cougars	B	A-	B	B-
1981 Clemson Tigers	B+	B+	B+	B+
1990 Colorado Buffalos	B	B+	B+	B-
1996 Florida Gators	B+	A-	B+	B
1993 Florida State Seminoles	B	B	B+	C+
1999 Florida State Seminoles	B+	B+	B+	B+
1980 Georgia Bulldogs	B+	A-	B+	B
1990 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets	B+	B+	B+	B
1958 LSU Tigers	B-	B	B-	B
2003 LSU Tigers	B-	B	B	C-
1983 Miami Hurricanes	B	B+	B	B-
1987 Miami Hurricanes	B+	A-	B+	B
1989 Miami Hurricanes	A-	A-	A-	A-
1991 Miami Hurricanes	B+	A-	B+	B+
2001 Miami Hurricanes	B+	A-	B+	B+
1947 Michigan Wolverines	B-	B-	B-	B+
1948 Michigan Wolverines	B-	B-	B-	B
1997 Michigan Wolverines	A-	B+	B+	A-
1952 Michigan State Spartans	C+	B-	C+	B-
1966 Michigan State Spartans	B-	B-	B-	B-
1934 Minnesota Golden Gophers	B	B	B-	B+
1941 Minnesota Golden Gophers	B-	B-	B-	B
1970 Nebraska Cornhuskers	B-	B	B-	B-
1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers	B	B+	B	B-
1994 Nebraska Cornhuskers	B	B	B+	B-
1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers	B+	B+	B+	B
1997 Nebraska Cornhuskers	B+	A-	B+	B
1924 Notre Dame Fighting Irish	B	B	B-	B+
1930 Notre Dame Fighting Irish	B-	B	B-	B
1946 Notre Dame Fighting Irish	B-	B	B-	B+
1947 Notre Dame Fighting Irish	B	B	B-	B+
1949 Notre Dame Fighting Irish	B-	B-	B-	B
1966 Notre Dame Fighting Irish	B	B	B	B-
1973 Notre Dame Fighting Irish	B	B+	B	B-
1977 Notre Dame Fighting Irish	B	B+	B	B
1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish	B+	A-	B+	B+
1954 Ohio State Buckeyes	B	B	B-	B+
1968 Ohio State Buckeyes	B-	B	B-	B-
2002 Ohio State Buckeyes	B+	B	B	A
1955 Oklahoma Sooners	B-	B	B-	B+
1956 Oklahoma Sooners	B-	B-	B-	B-
1974 Oklahoma Sooners	B	B	B	B
1975 Oklahoma Sooners	B	B+	B	B
1985 Oklahoma Sooners	B-	B	B	C+
2000 Oklahoma Sooners	A-	A-	B+	A-
1982 Penn State Nittany Lions	B	B	B	C
1986 Penn State Nittany Lions	B-	B-	B	C+
1994 Penn State Nittany Lions	B+	B+	B+	B
1976 Pittsburgh Panthers	B+	B+	B+	B-
1959 Syracuse Orangemen	B	B	B-	B+
1938 Tennessee Volunteers	B-	B	B-	B+
1998 Tennessee Volunteers	B+	A-	A-	B-
1963 Texas Longhorns	B-	B-	B-	B
1969 Texas Longhorns	B-	B	B-	B-
1954 UCLA Bruins	B-	C+	B-	B+
1932 USC Trojans	B-	B	B-	B
1962 USC Trojans	B-	B-	B-	B
1972 USC Trojans	B	B+	B	B
2003 USC Trojans	B	B+	B	B-
1991 Washington Huskies	B+	B+	B+	B

Toughest Places to Play

The following table reveals the top 25 toughest places to play as part of NCAA Football 2005’s new home field advantage feature.

RANK	STADIUM	TEAM	LOCATION	NICKNAME	AVERAGE ATTENDANCE
#1	Ben Hill Griffin Stadium	Florida Gators	Gainesville, FL	"The Swamp"	90,177
#2	Neyland Stadium	Tennessee Volunteers	Knoxville, TN	N/A	105,038
#3	Ohio Stadium	Ohio Buckeyes	Columbus, OH	"The Horseshoe"	104,870
#4	Tiger Stadium	LSU Tigers	Baton Rouge, LA	"Death Valley"	90,974
#5	Autzen Stadium	Oregon Ducks	Eugene, OR	"The Autzen Zoo"	57,701
#6	Husky Stadium	Washington Huskies	Seattle, WA	N/A	71,906
#7	Kyle Field	Texas A&M Aggies	College Station, TX	"12th Man"	76,243
#8	Camp Randall Stadium	Wisconsin Badgers	Madison, WI	N/A	78,486
#9	Memorial Statdium	Nebraska Cornhuskers	Lincoln, NE	"Sea of Red"	77,754
#10	Sanford Stadium	Georgia Bulldogs	Athens, GA	"Between the Hedges"	92,058
#11	Kinnick Stadium	Iowa Hawkeyes	Iowa City, IA	N/A	65,798
#12	Michigan Stadium	Michigan Wolverines	Ann Arbor, MI	"The Big House"	110,918
#13	Lane Stadium	Virginia Tech Hokies	Blacksburg, VA	N/A	62,031
#14	Doak Campbell Stadium	Florida State Seminoles	Tallahassee, FL	N/A	83,149
#15	Notre Dame Stadium	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	Notre Dame, IN	"The Golden Dome"	80,795
#16	Clemson Memorial Stadium	Clemson Tigers	Clemson, SC	"Death Valley"	76,079
#17	Beaver Stadium	Penn State Nittany Lions	University Park, PA	"Happy Valley"	105,629
#18	Oklahoma Memorial Stadium	Oklahoma Sooners	Norman, OK	N/A	83,202
#19	Jordan-Hare Stadium	Auburn Tigers	Auburn, AL	"The Jungle"	85,203
#20	Carrier Dome	Syracuse Orangemen	Syracuse, NY	"The Loud House"	41,177
#21	Bryant-Denny Stadium	Alabama Crimson Tide	Tuscaloosa, AL	N/A	82,388
#22	KSU Stadium	Kansas State Wildcats	Manhattan, KS	N/A	47,110
#23	Mountaineer Field	West Virginia Mountaineers	Morgantown, WV	N/A	52,205
#24	Martin Stadium	Washington State Cougars	Pullman, WA	N/A	33,331
#25	Miami Stadium	Miami Hurricanes	Miami, FL	N/A	58,135

Chapter 2: The Top 25

This section provides team breakdowns of the top 25 college football teams, as rated by NCAA Football 2005. Each breakdown includes statistics for the key players, 2003 on the field statistics, and analysis.

Each position player is rated in several different categories. The following list reveals the statistic and description. Note that some of the statistics from the game were removed in these tables, namely the tackle and kicking statistics as they don’t apply to these positions.

• Overall - The overall rating for the player.
• Speed - How fast the player can run.
• Strength - The player’s strength, which affects his ability to break tackles.
• Awareness - A player’s ability to react and adjust.
• Agility - The player’s agility, enhancing his ability to switch directions.
• Acceleration - How fast a player reaches full speed. Great for sprinting through open holes in your line.
• Catch - How well the player can catch. A higher rating means less drops.
• Carry - How well the player holds onto the football. A higher rating means the less chance of a fumble.
• Jump - The player’s ability to jump, such as for grabbing high passes.
• Break Tackles - The player’s ability to break tackles.
• Throwing Power - How far a player can throw the ball.
• Throwing Accuracy - How accurate a player throws.
• Pass Block - How well a player pass blocks.
• Run Block - How well a player run blocks.
• Tackle - A player’s ability to tackle.
• Stamina - The player’s stamina level. The higher the rating, the more the player can be in the game before he becomes fatigued.
• Injury - The likelihood of an injury. The higher the rating, the less likely a player will get injured.

Also, in the statistics for each team, note that all teams possess Goal Line and Hail Mary offensive formations in their playbooks.

#1 - USC Trojans

2003 record: 12-1 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #9 Conference: Pac-10, 7-1 (1st) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 291.6 yards per game (13th in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 155.9 yards per game (58th in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Normal, Ace-Slot, Ace-Y-Trips, Ace-Bunch, Ace-Spread, I-Form-Normal, Strong-Twins, Strong-Slot, Weak-Normal, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 276.2 yards allowed per game (110th in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 60.2 yards allowed per game (1st in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	THROWING POWER	THROWING ACCURACY	STAM	INJ
QB #11	95	62	62	92	59	93	96	90	85

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	CARRY	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
HB #5	90	97	68	72	97	97	76	82	82	92	92

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	JUMP	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
WR #1	99	90	70	95	90	92	99	99	80	97	97

Expect the preseason #1 USC Trojans to make the most spirited run at the national championship, especially in NCAA Football 2005 (as you’ll see in a moment). The Trojans’ offense is led by a Heisman caliber QB; he’s the top-rated pocket passer in the game. Behind him are a solid set of running backs; #5 is the standout but #34 can easily sub in or be used in multiple running back sets. WR #1 possesses explosive stats--even though he might not be on the team this year after trying to sneak into the NFL draft early. Exploit him! He’s powerful on single coverage but if the defenses focus on him, shift to the running game or hit the quality tight-end down the seam. USC is stacked on defense as well with several 90+ players. No doubt hoping to improve on their 110th ranked passing defense.

#2 - Oklahoma Sooners

2003 record: 12-2 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #2 Conference: Big 12, 8-0 (1st in South) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 292.7 yards per game (12th in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 146.7 yards per game (65th in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Normal, I-Form-Normal, I-Form-Twins, Shotgun-Normal, Shotgun-2 Back Slot, Shotgun-Trips, Shotgun-Bunch, Shotgun-Spread, Shotgun-5-Wide, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 146.4 yards allowed per game (2nd in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 113.2 yards allowed per game (20th in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	THROWING POWER	THROWING ACCURACY	STAM	INJ
QB #18	95	56	52	97	56	89	97	82	56

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	JUMP	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
WR #9	95	94	52	96	96	97	96	78	56	76	84

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
MLB #10	94	84	78	92	84	90	90	78

The Sooners are looking forward to the new season after a disappointing end to the previous campaign. Nine offensive starters return, including their Heisman trophy winning quarterback and an All-American at wide receiver (WR #9). The Sooners have a capable running back corp but no standout star. #20 will be your primary back and can be used effectively with QB #18 in an option role. Defense always one of Oklahoma’s strengths (top 20 in nation in both pass and rush defense) and this season is no different: Almost every starter is rated above 90. Put the defensive pressure on your opponent and keep scoring low and avoid getting into a high-scoring shootout.

#3 - LSU Tigers

2003 record: 13-1 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #16 Conference: SEC, 7-1 (1st in West) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 232.6 yards per game (43rd in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 185.7 yards per game (27th in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Normal, Ace-Twins, Ace-Slot, Ace-Y-Trips, I-Form-Normal, I-Form-Twins, Shotgun-Normal, Shotgun-Trips, Shotgun-Spread, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 185.0 yards allowed per game (18th in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 67.0 yards allowed per game (3rd in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	THROWING POWER	THROWING ACCURACY	STAM	INJ
QB #12	85	74	65	78	74	88	84	88	90

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	THROWING POWER	THROWING ACCURACY	STAM	INJ
QB #4	80	76	65	62	74	94	80	89	88

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	CARRY	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
HB #25	90	91	68	78	91	94	74	88	88	95	94

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
LE #84	99	76	88	92	74	90	88	92

A fantastic victory over Oklahoma culminated a 13-1 season and turned the LSU Tigers into one of the teams typically behind Tennessee and Florida in the SEC Championship race to a new perennial leader. The LSU Tigers have some questions at quarterback, certainly revealed in their NCAA Football 2005 statistics. The top two on the depth chart are remarkably close; #12 boasts better accuracy and awareness but #4 features slightly better speed, acceleration, and throwing power. HB #25 leads a solid set of interchangeable running backs. A strong defense (top 20 in pass and rush defense in 2003) will keep the Tigers in most games; LE #84 chose to return for his senior year and is blessed with a 99 rating.

#4 - Georgia Bulldogs

2003 record: 11-3 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #8 Conference: SEC, 6-2 (T-1st in East) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 245.4 yards per game (37th in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 134.9 yards per game (74th in nation) Offensive Formations: I-Form-Normal, I-Form-Slot, Power I, Shotgun-Split, Shotgun-2 Back Slot, Shotgun-Normal, Shotgun-Trips, Shotgun-Spread, Strong-Normal, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 174.5 yards allowed per game (6th in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 102.4 yards allowed per game (13th in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	THROWING POWER	THROWING ACCURACY	STAM	INJ
QB #14	93	56	65	95	59	90	94	94	90

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	THROWING POWER	THROWING ACCURACY	STAM	INJ
QB #3	87	82	52	80	82	85	90	82	94	85

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	JUMP	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
WR #82	94	93	56	95	90	94	94	78	56	90	76

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
LE #47	99	76	84	84	74	89	99	89

The Georgia Bulldogs have emerged as the leading team in the SEC East with both Florida and Tennessee trying to keep up. QB #14 is a Heisman candidate but don’t hesitate to split duties with the elusive QB #3. Use QB #14 as your pocket passer; he lacks speed but boasts excellent accuracy and awareness. QB #3, on the other hand, is your option and running quarterback. Mix it up and keep your opponent off balance. The defensive captain LE #47 decided to remain at school for his senior year and is the Bulldogs’ primary defensive standout. Look to hit the speedy WR #82 on deep patterns to keep defenses on their heels.

#5 - Miami Hurricanes

2003 record: 11-2 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #3 Conference: Big East (in 2003), 6-1 (T-1st) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 215.1 yards per game (63rd in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 179.9 yards per game (33rd in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Big Twins, Ace-Slot, Ace-Y-Trips, Ace-Bunch, I-Form-Normal, Shotgun-Normal, Shotgun-Y-Trips, Shotgun-Spread, Weak-Twins, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 143.5 yards allowed per game (1st in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 114.0 yards allowed per game (21st in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	THROWING POWER	THROWING ACCURACY	STAM	INJ
QB #7	85	59	52	86	56	88	87	90	90

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	CARRY	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
HB #3	90	92	70	85	88	92	65	88	90	94	74

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	JUMP	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
TE #84	93	86	68	84	78	88	80	90	68	88	90

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	JUMP	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
CB #6	97	92	65	95	94	95	92	68	99	96

The potential of QB #7 (transferred from the Florida Gators) wasn’t fully realized in the Hurricanes’ tough 2003 season. ‘Cane fans hope he’ll prove himself worthy among the team’s history of great quarterbacks when the team joins the Atlantic Coast Conference for the first time. The Hurricanes look to contend for the ACC title against their longtime rival, the #6 ranked Florida State Seminoles. HB #3 is coming off another knee injury but he’s the highest rated Miami back in the game and offers good speed and break tackle ability. Miami lost most of their defensive starters but CB #6 remains--he’s one of the best cover corners in the game. The ‘Canes have plugged in another solid tight end to take over the role left by two former first-round draft picks. He’s one of the best rated in the game.

#6 - Florida State Seminoles

2003 record: 10-3 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #13 Conference: ACC, 7-1 (1st) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 269.6 yards per game (25th in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 133.2 yards per game (77th in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Normal, Ace-Twins, I-Form-Normal, I-Form-Slot, Shotgun-2 Back Slot, Shotgun-Y-Trips, Shotgun-Trips, Shotgun-Spread, Shotgun-5-Wide, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 212.9 yards allowed per game (47th in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 119.4 yards allowed per game (25th in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	THROWING POWER	THROWING ACCURACY	STAM	INJ
QB #16	89	70	62	84	70	93	86	94	90

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	PASS BLOCKING	RUN BLOCKING	STAM	INJ
LT #70	98	62	96	97	52	87	97	84	95

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	JUMP	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
WR #1	92	96	44	92	92	96	92	92	44	92	82

The Florida State Seminoles have dominated the Atlantic Coast Conference with titles in 11 out of the last 12 years but now face tougher competition with the conference’s addition of the Miami Hurricanes and Virginia Tech Hokies (plus Boston College next year). Senior QB #16 leads the Seminoles once again; bland statistics reflect his often inconsistent play. Run behind All-American LT #70, who anchors a sturdy offensive line, and toss the rock to the team’s leading receiver, WR #1. The Seminoles employ a wide open offense with many shotgun sets. Run out of the shotgun formations to keep defenses off guard; force your opponent to consider your running a strong possibility when selecting the dime package.

#7 - Texas Longhorns

2003 record: 10-3 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #4 Conference: Big 12, 7-1 (2nd in South) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 206.6 yards per game (70th in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 232.5 yards per game (8th in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Slot, Ace-Y-Trips, I-Form-Normal, I-Form-Twins, Shotgun-Normal, Shotgun-2 Back Slot, Shotgun-Trips, Shotgun-Spread, Strong-Normal, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 177.3 yards allowed per game (9th in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 152.5 yards allowed per game (58th in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	THROWING POWER	THROWING ACCURACY	STAM	INJ
QB #10	87	87	59	72	86	91	84	90	90

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	THROWING POWER	THROWING ACCURACY	STAM	INJ
QB #5	86	62	56	86	62	87	84	88	87

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	CARRY	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
HB #32	94	90	74	94	87	91	65	94	94	94	90

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
LOLB #11	99	88	74	95	87	95	99	94

The Texas Longhorns haven’t been able to get over the hump in the very tough Big 12 conference. The Longhorns employ a dual-quarterback system, switching out QB #10 and QB #5 to mix up the offense. QB#10 is the faster, more option-oriented quarterback while QB #5 is the pocket passer. Run your offense accordingly and don’t hesitate to switch them out on the fly--just don’t become too predictable! HB #32 is a top running back and potent when combined with QB #10’s option potential. The Longhorns’ defense is strong again; LOLB #11 is the true standout and one of the best in the game. Offenses should look to run away from this tackling menace.

#8 - Ohio State Buckeyes

2003 record: 11-2 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #1 Conference: Big Ten, 6-2 (T-2nd) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 206.1 yards per game (84th in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 126.1 yards per game (71st in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Big Twins, Ace-Y-Trips, Ace-Bunch, I-Form-Normal, I-Form-Twins, Strong-Normal, Strong-Twins, Strong-5-Wide, Weak-Normal, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 234.5 yards allowed per game (90th in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 62.3 yards allowed per game (2nd in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	THROWING POWER	THROWING ACCURACY	STAM	INJ
QB #10	82	80	52	72	78	89	80	90	88

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	THROWING POWER	THROWING ACCURACY	STAM	INJ
QB #12	82	59	62	76	62	93	84	88	87

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	CARRY	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
FB #38	96	82	78	84	78	84	65	80	80	85	90

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	JUMP	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
WR #4	88	94	48	82	96	96	89	88	48	95	90

It doesn’t seem like that long since the Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Miami Hurricanes in one of the greatest national championship games ever. But things change quickly in college football. The Buckeyes lost thirteen starters from last year; however, like all good college football programs, the Buckeyes have plugged holes with capable starters. Don’t hesitate to employ a two-quarterback system. Both QB #10 and QB #12 have similar ratings; QB #10 is your speed guy for rollout passing and running an option game plan. A plentiful set of solid running backs and a standout fullback (used in the Buckeyes’ many Strong formations as well as the I-Form formation) anchors the ground game. Utilize WR #4 as your deep threat to help open holes for your running attack.

#9 - Michigan Wolverines

2003 record: 10-3 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #10 Conference: Big Ten, 7-1 (1st) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 270.8 yards per game (22nd in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 175.9 yards per game (38th in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Twins, Ace-Slot, Ace-Bunch, I-Form-Normal, Pro-Normal, Shotgun-Normal, Shotgun-Spread, Strong-Normal, Weak-Twins, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 180.5 yards allowed per game (15th in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 116.5 yards allowed per game (22nd in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	JUMP	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
WR #1	95	91	62	94	92	94	96	94	59	97	92

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	PASS BLOCKING	RUN BLOCKING	STAM	INJ
LT #75	98	52	95	98	52	96	95	94	90

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	JUMP	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
CB #3	94	92	62	92	93	94	95	65	97	94

In difference to their Big Ten rivals, the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Michigan Wolverines have 12 returning starters. These starters include a standout receiver WR #1, an excellent lineman LT #75, and a shutdown cornerback CB #3. The Wolverines did lose a fantastic running back to the National Football League. The incumbent starter HB #5 is certainly capable but not far statistically from the Wolverines’ other running backs. Focus the running game behind the stronger left side of the line and look for WR #1 in single coverage in the passing attack.

#10 - Florida Gators

2003 record: 8-5 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #19 Conference: SEC, 6-2 (T-1st in East) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 245.4 yards per game (36th in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 146.0 yards per game (66th in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Normal, Ace-Slot, I-Form-Normal, No Back-Normal, Shotgun-Normal, Shotgun-Y-Trips, Shotgun-Bunch, Shotgun-Spread, Shotgun-5-Wide, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 208.9 yards allowed per game (44th in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 158.5 yards allowed per game (65th in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	THROWING POWER	THROWING ACCURACY	STAM	INJ
QB #12	88	68	56	80	68	92	90	94	92

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	CARRY	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
HB #4	88	89	72	76	88	94	72	86	89	88	90

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	CARRY	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
HB #21	86	90	74	74	87	92	68	80	87	88	80

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	PASS BLOCKING	RUN BLOCKING	STAM	INJ
C #68	96	52	94	88	52	94	96	80	85

Florida Gator fans are a demanding bunch. After years and years of Spurrier success (SEC championships, a national title), consecutive 8 win, 5 loss seasons aren’t cutting it. The Gators blew big chances against both in-state rivals Miami and Florida State last year but were also the only team to defeat the LSU Tigers. QB #12 begins his sophomore season leading the wide-open, shotgun-heavy offensive game plan. Don’t neglect the Gators’ solid backfield, though; HB #4 and HB #21 aren’t national standouts but certainly both worthy of taking the field on every play. Run behind the crushing blocks of center C #68. Establish the ground game to help open the Gators’ passing game, which should feature a lot of dumps to the backs when QB #12 can’t find an open receiver downfield.

#11 - Tennessee Volunteers

2003 record: 10-3 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #17 Conference: SEC (T-1st in East) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 233.4 yards per game (42nd in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 138.5 yards per game (70th in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Big Twins, I-Form-Normal, I-Form-Slot, Shotgun-Normal, Shotgun-Spread, Shotgun-Trips, Strong-Normal, Weak-Normal, Weak-Slot, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 186.1 yards allowed per game (20th in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 138.3 yards allowed per game (43rd in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	OVR	CATCH	CARRY	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
HB #21	91	91	74	88	88	92	65	92	88	94	78

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	PASS BLOCKING	RUN BLOCKING	STAM	INJ
LT #77	96	52	96	95	52	94	98	84	80

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
ROLB #11	93	80	78	92	80	88	94	80

The Volunteers compete in one of the toughest conferences, the SEC, and its toughest division, the east. This year’s squad looks to keep the Florida Gators at bay while overcoming a likely superior Georgia Bulldog team--both games will assuredly be the Volunteers’ most difficult on their schedule. The Volunteers lack a true star at quarterback (there’s no Peyton Manning here) but offer a decent HB #21, depth at wide receiver, and a couple standouts on the offensive line (LT #77) and at linebacker (ROLB #11). Pound out the ground game behind the left side of the line (switch in HB #34 for short yardage situations) and use your quarterback in a short passing game and wait for the deeper opportunities against mismatched defenses.

#12 - Auburn Tigers

2003 record: 8-5 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #6 Conference: SEC, 5-3 (T-2nd in West) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 192.2 yards per game (83rd in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 184.0 yards per game (29th in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Normal, Ace-Big Twins, I-Form-Normal, I-Form-Twins, Shotgun-Normal, Shotgun-Y-Trips, Shotgun-Spread, Shotgun-5-Wide, Weak-Normal, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 189.0 yards allowed per game (23rd in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 92.6 yards allowed per game (7th in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	CARRY	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
HB #24	97	90	72	94	93	98	68	93	94	95	82

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	CARRY	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
HB #23	92	94	68	87	92	94	72	87	85	92	92

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	JUMP	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
CB #14	95	92	62	95	94	94	94	72	95	92

Last year’s Auburn Tigers failed to meet preseason expectations. They were graced with a high preseason ranking but a slow start combined with a tough schedule (started the season against USC) had the Tigers climbing out of an early hole. A good finish and a bowl victory renewed hope for the upcoming season. The Tigers’ have arguably the best one-two running back punch in the game. Work them into the game whenever possible, including subbing in the backup in a fullback role for multiple receiving options out of the backfield or for use in a triple-option offense. CB #14 is the defensive star--a shutdown corner with excellent speed and awareness.

#13 - Virginia Cavaliers

2003 record: 8-5 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #18 Conference: ACC, 4-4 (T-4th) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 255.7 yards per game (32nd in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 130.2 yards per game (82nd in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Big, Ace-Big Twins, Ace-Y-Trips, Ace-Bunch, I-Form-Normal, Shotgun-Ace-Twins, Shotgun-2 Back Slot, Shotgun-Spread, Strong-Normal, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 223.0 yards allowed per game (63rd in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 161.7 yards allowed per game (67th in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	CARRY	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
HB #33	92	87	76	88	87	90	76	92	92	94	90

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	JUMP	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
TE #87	97	80	72	85	78	84	88	85	65	90	95

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	PASS BLOCKING	RUN BLOCKING	STAM	INJ
RG #61	97	52	97	95	52	90	96	80	90

The Cavaliers lost their starting quarterback but there’s still plenty of talent around the new starter. Look to establish a strong ground game with HB #33 and behind a decent line, particularly standout RG #61, a top blocker in the new look Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cavs have another weapon on offense: the best rated tight end in the game TE #87. With an established running game, call play-action passes and look for the standout tight end on out patterns or deep down the seam.

#14 - Kansas State Wildcats

2003 record: 11-4 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #5 Conference: Big 12, 6-2 (1st in North) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 212.4 yards per game (67th in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 228.6 yards per game (9th in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Big Twins, Ace-Slot, Ace-Trips, I-Form-Normal, I-Form-Y-Trips, Shotgun-Normal, Shotgun-2 Back Slot, Shotgun-Trips, Shotgun-Y-Trips, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 174.6 yards allowed per game (7th in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 108.5 yards allowed per game (17th in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	CARRY	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
HB #43	97	96	68	95	96	97	70	90	88	97	95

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	JUMP	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
CB #4	90	92	48	92	92	94	92	52	92	95

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	JUMP	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
TE #86	91	74	76	85	72	78	76	72	68	85	90

If you’re playing as the Kansas State Wildcats, you have one goal to shoot for: get the ball into the hands of HB #43, the highest rated running back in the game and nearly the fastest. He’s one of the leading candidates for this year’s Heisman trophy. Mix up your play calling to ensure the best match-ups on defense. Run out of passing formations to prevent opponents from stacking the line. Utilize outside runs to capitalize on HB #43’s speed and toss in an option play here and there as well. A solid running game can open up the play-action pass to TE #86 and the Wildcats’ receiver squad. Expect defenses to try and shutdown HB #43; be prepared to pass out of rush formations to exploit your opponents’ aggressiveness.

#15 - Clemson Tigers

2003 record: 9-4 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #42 Conference: ACC, 5-3 (3rd) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 283.6 yards per game (16th in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 136.9 yards per game (73rd in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Y-Trips, I-Form-Twins, I-Form-Slot, No Back-Normal, Shotgun-Ace, Shotgun-Y-Trips, Shotgun-Bunch, Shotgun-Trips, Shotgun-Spread, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 204.5 yards allowed per game (38th in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 131.8 yards allowed per game (35th in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	THROWING POWER	THROWING ACCURACY	STAM	INJ
QB #6	92	56	59	92	59	94	90	95	94

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
MLB #43	94	85	72	92	87	92	90	90

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	JUMP	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
CB #9	94	93	56	88	95	95	91	62	98	90

The Clemson Tigers finished last year’s season strong with four straight wins including a convincing bowl victory and hope to contend in the increasingly more competitive Atlantic Coast Conference. QB #6 is the best rated signal caller in the conference and certainly the Tigers’ offensive leader. Defense will likely be this team’s strength. Excellent linebackers (specifically MLB #43) and an experienced secondary (particularly CB #9) can keep opposing offenses out of scoring range. Be prepared to run a wide open offense (the head coach is a Bowden after all) with the Tigers’ plentiful shotgun sets.

#16 - Iowa Hawkeyes

2003 record: 10-3 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #33 Conference: Big Ten, 5-3 (T-4th) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 161.2 yards per game (104th in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 172.9 yards per game (39th in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Normal, Ace-Big Twins, Ace-Twins, Ace-Y-Trips, I-Form-Normal, I-Form-Twins, Shotgun-Y-Trips, Shotgun-Spread, Strong-Normal, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 221.9 yards allowed per game (61st in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 92.7 yards allowed per game (8th in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	PASS BLOCKING	RUN BLOCKING	STAM	INJ
RT #69	92	44	96	94	48	89	95	76	80

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
LE #31	95	74	84	92	72	87	88	94

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
MLB #52	93	86	78	88	85	92	92	90

The Hawkeyes lost one of the best offensive linemen in college history to the NFL draft but still have a solid line to support their Ace, I-Form, and Strong running sets. With no true offensive standout, mix up your play calls to maximize match-ups and concentrate on steady ball movement and clock management. Defense is likely the Hawkeyes’ strength with seven returning starters. LE #31 is a pass rushing specialist with strong outside speed to chase down sweeps and disrupt option plays (if you’re up against Iowa, best avoid the outside). Iowa’s rush defense is strong, led by MLB #52; look for the Hawkeyes to repeat their top ten finish in overall rush defense stats from a year ago.

#17 - Nebraska Cornhuskers

2003 record: 10-3 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #31 Conference: Big 12, 5-3 (2nd in North) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 109.4 yards per game (114th in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 235.6 yards per game (7th in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Big Twins, Ace-Slot, Ace-Y-Trips, Ace-Bunch, Ace-Empty, I-Form-Normal, Pro-Slot, Strong-Twins, Weak-Normal, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 177.9 yards allowed per game (11th in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 119.3 yards allowed per game (24th in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	JUMP	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
TE #11	94	82	70	85	80	84	84	80	65	90	88

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	PASS BLOCKING	RUN BLOCKING	STAM	INJ
C #51	97	56	96	88	56	90	97	92	94

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	JUMP	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
FS #20	97	90	65	86	92	92	94	65	95	93

A perennial favorite in the Big 12 conference, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have fallen behind other conference leaders in recent years but look to make headway in the upcoming season. Expect to concentrate on the Cornhuskers’ running game; their offensive formations lack a shotgun set, though do offer an Ace-Y-Trips and Ace-Bunch as three-plus receiver sets. Without a shotgun formation to fall back on, mix up your offense effectively with passes and runs (behind big time center C #51) from similar sets and situations. TE #11 is a solid star and should be used in most formations as both a primary option and a dump off target if other receivers are covered. FS #20 is one of the best defensive backs in the game and anchors a blanket defense that ranked in the top 25 in both pass and rush yards per game allowed.

#18 - Louisville Cardinals

2003 record: 9-4 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #72 Conference: Conference USA, 5-3 (T-3rd) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 260.7 yards per game (29th in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 228.2 yards per game (10th in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Big Twins, Ace-Slot, Ace-Y-Trips, I-Form-Normal, No Back-Normal, Shotgun-Normal, Shotgun-Y-Trips, Shotgun-Spread, Weak-Normal, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 258.3 yards allowed per game (103rd in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 170.3 yards allowed per game (76th in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	THROWING POWER	THROWING ACCURACY	STAM	INJ
QB #17	88	76	48	80	76	87	87	95	88

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	CARRY	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
HB #23	87	93	74	84	86	95	65	78	85	87	86

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
MLB #92	92	85	76	88	85	92	95	90

The Louisville Cardinals surprised many with a quality 9-4 (and a bowl win) season last year. In fact, NCAA Football 2004 had them ranked at #72 of #117 teams in last year’s game! The Cardinals certainly look to be the cream of their conference, Conference USA. Their Achilles’ heel is the defense. Quite porous a year ago, the Cardinals’ defensive squad should be improved on returning starters alone. MLB #92 is one of the best on the team and should be able to plug the inside run. On offense capitalize on QB #17’s speed mixing in quarterback scrambles, rollouts, and option plays. Don’t hesitate to take off downfield if the receivers aren’t open.

#19 - West Virginia Mountaineers

2003 record: 8-5 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #39 Conference: Big East, 6-1 (T-1st) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 156.5 yards per game (105th in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 212.5 yards per game (13th in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Big Twins, I-Form-Normal, I-Form-Y-Trips, Shotgun-Split, Shotgun-2 Back Slot, Shotgun-Y-Trips, Shotgun-Spread, Shotgun-5-Wide, Weak-Normal, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 259.9 yards allowed per game (104th in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 131.5 yards allowed per game (34th in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	THROWING POWER	THROWING ACCURACY	STAM	INJ
QB #2	90	76	62	85	76	91	84	95	95

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	JUMP	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
WR #5	91	94	56	85	92	96	90	94	52	92	90

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	JUMP	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
CB #9	90	93	52	90	92	95	92	56	92	90

With the departure of usual Big East favorites the Miami Hurricanes and the Virginia Tech Hokies, the West Virginia Mountaineers (who tied for first in the Big East last season) emerge as a certain favorite to control the conference. A speedy quarterback helps open up the playbook (that includes many shotgun sets) for rollouts, option plays, and impromptu scrambles. WR #5 is the primary deep threat. Check your match-ups and exploit a weak corner with his blistering speed. The Mountaineers’ pass defense was full of holes last season but do offer a decent cornerback in CB #9 to help improve on that 104th standing.

#20 - North Carolina State Wolfpack

2003 record: 8-5 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #11 Conference: ACC, 4-4 (T-4th) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 352.3 yards per game (3rd in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 100.9 yards per game (107th in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Normal, Ace-Big Twins, I-Form-Normal, Shotgun-2 Back Slot, Shotgun-Y-Trips, Shotgun-Trips, Shotgun-Spread, Shotgun-5-Wide, Weak-Twins, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 284.1 yards allowed per game (40th in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 136.9 yards allowed per game (116th in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	CARRY	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
HB #44	92	88	76	86	87	92	72	92	92	95	84

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	PASS BLOCKING	RUN BLOCKING	STAM	INJ
LT #70	94	48	94	96	48	95	92	80	78

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	JUMP	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
SS #36	96	88	68	90	88	90	87	82	97	94

The NC State Wolfpack’s biggest question mark is their quarterback. They lost a true star to the NFL draft and hope someone on the depth chart can maintain the Wolfpack’s excellent passing game (352.3 yards per game) from a year ago. Of course, you may say those passing statistics were inflated by the Wolfpack’s bottom of the barrel rush defense and high points per game allowed average: they had to pass to keep up! HB #44 is a solid back and behind a decent line (anchored by the LT #70). Defense should be improved from a year ago, particularly hard hitting strong safety SS #36. The Wolfpack feature a shotgun-heavy playbook. The receivers are certainly capable but work HB #44 into the offense with runs, draws, and screens to keep pressure off the new quarterbacking group.

#21 - Minnesota Golden Gophers

2003 record: 10-3 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #37 Conference: Big Ten, 5-3 (T-4th) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 205.5 yards per game (72nd in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 289.2 yards per game (3rd in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Big Twins, Ace-Slot, Ace-Y-Trips, Ace-Spread, I-Form-Normal, I-Form-Y-Trips, No Back-Normal, Strong-Twins, Weak-Normal, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 217.7 yards allowed per game (55th in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 122.7 yards allowed per game (26th in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	CARRY	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
HB #21	93	90	74	88	88	92	68	90	94	94	87

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	CARRY	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
HB #22	90	95	70	78	91	95	68	86	86	90	90

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	PASS BLOCKING	RUN BLOCKING	STAM	INJ
C #61	94	56	90	88	56	92	96	80	95

The Gophers are coming off a 10-win season and another bowl victory. Expectations are high but can they compete with the best in the Big Ten, the Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State Buckeyes, and Iowa Hawkeyes? With many returning starters, the Gophers should certainly contend. The running game is your focus with the Gophers (they were 3rd in rushing stats last year). The Gophers possess two outstanding backs. HB #21 has a bit more power (though he’s still fast!) and HB #22 has the speed advantage. Work them both into the mix when possible. Stay out of long passing situations; the true stars are the running backs. If you can’t run effectively, move to a short passing game where the backs become an outlet option.

#22 - Wisconsin Badgers

2003 record: 7-6 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #25 Conference: Big Ten, 4-4 (T-7th) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 217.9 yards per game (59th in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 177.0 yards per game (37th in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Normal, I-Form-Normal, I-Form-Twins, Shotgun-2 Back Slot, Shotgun-Trips, Shotgun-Bunch, Strong-Normal, Strong-Twins, Weak-Normal, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 213.4 yards allowed per game (49th in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 142.0 yards allowed per game (48th in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	CARRY	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
HB #28	92	97	68	93	90	98	65	88	82	95	82

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
DT #77	97	65	92	90	65	89	84	90

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	JUMP	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
FS #18	96	86	62	92	87	87	87	68	97	92

The Wisconsin Badgers return fifteen starters from a year ago, which certain raises expectations to improve on a mediocre 7-6 finish (and lackluster 4-4 conference record). The Badgers’ star on offense is HB #28; he’s rated the fastest running back in the game with 97 speed and 98 acceleration. Mix up your inside and outside runs to keep your opponent guessing and, hopefully, chasing HB #28 down from behind. The Badgers’ defense is solid, particularly the line and secondary led by DT #77 and FS #18 respectively.

#23 - Cal Golden Bears

2003 record: 8-6 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #71 Conference: Pac-10, 5-3 (T-3rd) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 264.6 yards per game (26th in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 168.3 yards per game (44th in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Normal, Ace-Twins, Ace-Slot, Ace-Trips, Ace-Y-Trips, I-Form-Twins, Pro-Normal, Strong-Normal, Weak-Twins, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 251.1 yards allowed per game (91st in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 133.7 yards allowed per game (37th in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	THROWING POWER	THROWING ACCURACY	STAM	INJ
QB #8	93	56	56	90	56	92	96	94	92

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	JUMP	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
WR #6	93	92	56	92	92	94	94	90	56	95	94

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	JUMP	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
SS #21	93	88	65	88	90	91	87	76	92	90

The Cal Golden Bears shocked the USC Trojans with a 34-31 win a year ago; the teams meet again at USC this season and it’s certain to be a season defining game for the Bears. Cal has one of the better pocket passers in the game in QB #8. He doesn’t have the speed to excel in the option but it’s worth working into the mix occasionally to try and free up WR #6 in single coverage; he’s the Bears’ primary downfield target.

#24 - Maryland Terrapins

2003 record: 10-3 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #15 Conference: ACC, 6-2 (2nd) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 230.4 yards per game (44th in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 191.3 yards per game (24th in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Normal, Ace-Slot, Ace-Y-Trips, Ace-Spread, I-Form-Twins, Shotgun-Normal, Shotgun-Y-Trips, Shotgun-Spread, Strong-Normal, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 179.0 yards allowed per game (12th in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 129.4 yards allowed per game (31st in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	PASS BLOCKING	RUN BLOCKING	STAM	INJ
LG #74	98	52	96	95	52	94	97	80	95

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	JUMP	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
CB #6	93	94	52	90	92	95	87	70	90	88

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
LE #45	90	76	76	85	74	82	80	82

The Maryland Terrapins looked to become a perennial front runner in the Atlantic Coast Conference just a few years ago. But a couple big losses to start last year’s season--including a 35-10 defeat to rival Florida State and a 20-13 head scratcher to Northern Illinois--dug the Terps an early hole. But Maryland finished strong with a big bowl win. The ACC has gotten more competitive, though; the additions of Miami and Virginia Tech (who the Terps face at the Hokies) ramp up the challenge considerably.

#25 - Utah Utes

2003 record: 10-2 NCAA Football 2004 Preseason Rank: #67 Conference: Mountain West, 6-1 (1st) 2003 Offensive Passing Stats: 214.0 yards per game (65th in nation) 2003 Offensive Rushing Stats: 160.5 yards per game (48th in nation) Offensive Formations: Ace-Y-Trips, Ace-Bunch, No Back-Normal, Shotgun-Y-Trips, Shotgun-Trips, Shotgun-Bunch, Shotgun-Spread, Shotgun-5-Wide, Strong-Normal, Goal Line, Hail Mary 2003 Defensive Passing Stats: 198.8 yards allowed per game (28th in nation) 2003 Defensive Rushing Stats: 139.5 yards allowed per game (46th in nation)

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	THROWING POWER	THROWING ACCURACY	STAM	INJ
QB #11	90	65	48	87	65	88	93	76	84

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	CATCH	JUMP	BREAK TACKLE	STAM	INJ
WR #82	91	90	56	92	90	92	94	92	52	95	90

POSITION	OVR	SPD	STR	AWR	AGL	ACC	JUMP	TACKLE	STAM	INJ
FS #25	88	88	62	87	84	88	84	68	90	90

The Mountain West conference standout Utah Utes employ a wide open offensive scheme; take note their playbook offers five shotgun sets and a no back set for an enormous amount of passing options. The aerial combination of QB #11 and WR #82 should be your focus but you’ll have to take heat off the passing game with short passing or an established run attack.

Chapter 3: Dynasty Mode

NCAA Football 2005’s dynasty mode allows you to take control of a college program--either a longstanding powerhouse like Florida State or a smaller school like Akron or Hawaii. Coach your new squad through their season (using the tips throughout this game guide) and reach the next offseason where dynasty mode really begins. It’s here you must recruit high school talent--encourage them to join your school. This section offers dynasty mode tips for recruiting a talented freshman group.

• By altering your coaching strategy (for instance moving it to all pass or all run) you can encourage certain position players to become interested in your team. If you’re at full pass, quarterbacks and wide receivers will be interested. If you’re full run, running backs. For a high-star prestige school this isn’t required since good players will already be interested. But for a low-star prestige school, adjusting these sliders can encourage better players to take a risk at your college. You can do it for defense as well. Alter the sliders the following year to recruit different positions.
• Expect most of your interest to come from your home state (and some neighboring states) and they’ll generally be the easiest to sway to your program. Out-of-state prospects, especially those interested in colleges within their state, will be harder to convince. Also look at his other school interests. If he’s hoping for a top program, it’ll require a lot of points to sway him if you aren’t of similar prestige. Interested players will always be easier to sway.
• When recruiting a prospect, use pitches carefully. Program prestige is a solid pitch if you’re a top prestige school (5 or 6 stars certainly) but it won’t be much of a factor if you’re a small school with little notoriety. Coaching style is effective depending on position (pass teams for QBs and WRs and run teams for RBs and FBs). Playtime is always a good idea, particularly if you’re light at that position. Location pitch works well if he’s close to your school and not interested in other schools around you.
• If you aren’t a high-prestige school then it’s better to recruit more players than waste all your points and effort on a single blue chip star. You’ll be able to develop many of these into stronger players, which produces a more solid team. Otherwise you might have a really great running back but a poor offensive line to block for him.

Chapter 4: Offensive Gameplan

Running an effective offense is one of the most challenge aspects of NCAA Football 2005. Don’t expect to be able to choose the same play over and over again and find success. Sure you can have a few plays here and there that you come back to time and time again but if you start to become predictable, defenses, particularly those controlled by a human opponent, catch on and it soon becomes extremely difficult to move the ball downfield or even get a first down!

This section provides strategies for refining your offensive gameplan with tips on play selection, running your offense, tables revealing the game’s best offensive players, techniques for precise passing and catching, employing the option, and how to read defenses. You’ll also find specific coverage of NCAA Football 2005’s new features, such as the match-up stick and home field advantage and how that impacts your offensive gameplan.

Football 101

This section is called "Football 101" for the simple fact that these are the basics you should know when playing NCAA Football 2005 (or nearly any football video game) against the computer-controlled opponent, a buddy sitting next to you, or an anonymous opponent online.

• Studying your chosen team’s strengths and weaknesses is an important key to success. Does your team have a fast quarterback? Perhaps you can run the option effectively. If you plan to churn out yards on the ground, does your team have a capable offensive line? Is your team’s secondary fast enough to play man-to-man coverage or should you stick with zone? Play to your team’s strengths. Obviously it’s smart to mix it up occasionally so you don’t become predictable but you also shouldn’t start airing it out every down when you’re a team with a strong offensive line and running back.
• Don’t hesitate to tinker with your chosen team’s depth chart--it’s in the details! Do you have a speedy receiver stuck on the bench? You may want to insert him into certain formations to test your opponent deep a few times during the game. Maybe your team has two solid running backs and you want to get them both in the game at the same time (such as subbing one in as the fullback position). Check your depth chart and test out your new line-ups in practice mode before taking the field in a dynasty or online game.
• Prepare your audibles! It’s not uncommon to come to the line and see the defense stacking the line--and you’ve just called a run up the middle. The odds of your play call’s success are now pretty low. You could waste a timeout to call another play but, as stated, that’s a waste! Instead, prepare your audibles so you can get out of problem situations. Or better yet, call an audible to exploit a weakness on your opponent’s defense.
• Use hot routes as an alternative to a full-fledged audible play; you’ll use hot routes on run and pass plays. As an example for a run play: you’ve called an option play to the left but notice that the defense has shifted the linemen and linebackers in that direction. Press the hot route button and the directional pad to the right and now the option play is reversed.
• You can use hot routes to adjust a wide receiver’s route at the line of scrimmage on a passing play. For instance, if the defense has its safeties shifted to the right leaving your left WR in one-on-one coverage against a weaker cornerback. Instead of the called play, you may want to send your receiver on a fly pattern to take advantage of the man coverage.
• One of NCAA Football 2005’s intriguing new features is home field advantage. The team’s home stadium (especially those in the top 25 toughest to play) become a 12th man and can affect the on-field action. A boisterous stadium can cause audibles or hot routes to run incorrectly and can even affect a players’ rating. During the game, player ratings can alter depending on their successes and failures. Check your depth chart during the game to see who’s hot and who’s not. The match-up stick also plays an important role. This section of the guide will help you use these new features to your advantage offensively--or to your opponent’s disadvantage defensively!

Reading Defenses--The Match-Up Stick

Some of the most important action on offense occurs before the ball is even snapped. "Reading" the opposing defense, which means looking at the defensive positioning to ascertain what the players are going to do or what coverage the players are in, can help in a number of ways. It might reveal that you need to call an audible or use a hot route. It may inform you where the blitz is coming from or if the defense is lined up in man-to-man or zone coverage. This section offers instruction on reading defenses, including tips on using the match-up stick, a new feature in NCAA Football 2005.

MATCH-UP	CONTROL	PRESNAP READ
Offensive Line vs. Defensive Line	Right-Analog Stick to the Right	Informs you which side of your offensive line (if any) is holding blocks well. For instance, if the left side of the line is winning the battle in the trenches, call runs, options, or rollouts in that direction. Run away from good defensive linemen!
Backfield vs. Linebackers	Right-Analog Stick Down	This is similar to the line read. Running your back at a rattled or "bad" linebacker could mean broken tackles and extra yardage. Also could send the backs out in the pass pattern; they’ll likely be covered by the poor linebackers. On a bad note, it could mean your back is not faring well and its time to make a switch or adjust your play calling.
Wide Receivers vs. Secondary	Right-Analog Stick to the Left	Gauge this match-up to see how your wide receivers fare against the corresponding cornerbacks (as well as the safeties). Use to decide which receiver to look for (or not look for) on the passing play.

• One of NCAA Football 2005’s significant new features is the match-up stick. Using the right-analog stick, you can see how certain offensive players match up with their defensive counterpart (or vice versa if you’re on defense). This is an excellent tool to use as a presnap read of the defense and its applications are numerous. The chart below describes the match-up stick’s control scheme and how to use the new feature as part of your presnap read routine. Note that as stated in the instruction manual, in the match-up stick, green means good, red means bad, white circle means composed, and black circle means rattled.
• As you approach the line of scrimmage, note how the defensive linemen and the linebackers shift. Perhaps the linemen and linebackers overload the left or right side or close-in to pinch the inside run or spread out to protect the outside lanes. Note their movement and adjust (or don’t adjust) your play calling accordingly. You may want to call an audible or use a hot route to switch the direction of your run or option play. Run away from the shifts. You could also send a fullback, tight end, or wide out in motion to help block the shift or even overload the weaker side!
• Note what defensive formation your opponent has selected. If he’s in a 4-4, that means he has four linemen and four linebackers leaving only three defensive backs. Call a play with four receivers and you have an instant mismatch: wide receiver against linebacker.
• Check the linebackers before snapping the ball. A linebacker might start inching toward the line of scrimmage, which indicates he’s blitzing. If you have a slot receiver on that side, he could be open initially as the linebacker on that side has vacated his zone. You could also do a quick linebacker check after snapping the ball. If you see one charging in toward the line, look for a receiver in the vacated zone before another defensive player can reach the location.
• Look at the defensive formation and see whether your opponent has moved coverage to bump and run (defensive backs move toward the line of scrimmage) or play off (move away from the line of scrimmage). If they’ve moved back, then a quick hitch or slant would be a good adjustment. If they’ve moved to bump and run, hitting a speedy receiver over the top would be a solid play. Also in bump and run, put a receiver in motion. If the defensive back follows, he’s in man to man. Snap the ball before the defensive back can set and hit your receiver in the open field.
• Next you should look at the safeties (usually two defensive backs deep, though in some formations only one). How do the safeties adjust before the ball is snapped? If the safeties move toward the cornerbacks then the safeties are doubling your receivers. This could also indicate a blitz by a linebacker and now the safety is taking the LB’s responsibility (such as an RB or TE).
• Check the movement of the safeties after the ball is snapped. If the safeties move back then they’re in a deep zone and will assist whenever your receiver reaches their zone. A deep fly toss is usually a bad idea here because your receiver will likely be double covered (or more). Look to hit your receiver before he reaches the deep zone. If a safety moves up then he’s in man coverage on a WR, RB, or TE. This will indicate a man-on-man situation on an outside corner. That’s the time to hit the deep ball!
• Even if you can’t get the hang of checking through all of these defensive reads, it’s still important to do a quick glance at the defensive alignment (using the coach’s cam). You’ll discover if you need to reverse a run or option or which receivers have the best chance of getting open in their routes.

Aerial Assault -- The Passing Attack

It won’t take long for NCAA Football 2005 players to discover that an effective passing attack is more than just throwing the ball at a specific receiver. There are a lot of variables that come into play that can determine the success of that single toss and, in the long run, the success of your passing game as well as your team. This section offers strategies for effective passing, including best ways to combat specific defenses, hitting the long pass, gauging your team’s composure, and the game’s best quarterbacks and their targets.

Composure and Home Field Advantage

One of NCAA Football 2005’s new features is home field advantage. Like in real college games, the home team has a distinct advantage: the 12th man, the fans. An extremely rambunctious crowd can affect the away team. They might not be able to hear audibles correctly (resulting in wrong routes) or the deafening noise may rattle a visiting player, which affects his composure which in turn affects his skills and rating. Home field advantage and composure (gauge quickly by checking your match-up stick) can have a huge impact on your passing attack.

For instance, if a receiver starts dropping passes at a visiting stadium (or even on home turf), his composure suffers. This can directly affect the receiver’s current ratings and begin to turn him from a reliable wideout into a butterfingers. The match-up stick can give you a good gauge on your players’ statuses at any given moment but if you want to see how things are going in detail then switch to your depth chart.

You’ll notice pluses and minuses next to some of your players’ ratings. Check back during the game and notice that these change depending on your players’ successes and failures. Get tackled for a loss and all of the sudden your running back becomes rattled (and may lose some carry points!). Catch a big pass and your wide receiver gains composure and points to his catch rating.

This system encourages you to check your match-ups frequently to see which players are doing well and which players are rattled. If you have a hot player with increasing numbers, keep using him! If you have a player that’s rattled and losing rating points, consider letting him sit a series and use a substitute in hopes of igniting a spark offensively.

So in relation to your passing game, check your composure and rating levels to see which receivers are composed and which are rattled. Check the match-up stick to see which opposing defensive backs are struggling. If your QB is having trouble, call more high percentage pass plays to increase your quarterback’s confidence or focus on a weaker cornerback to sway some advantage in your favor.

From Quarterback to Receiver

There’s certainly more to a successful pass than just hitting the corresponding receiver button. As revealed in the previous header, your players’ composure during the game can directly affect their abilities to throw and catch the ball. But there are other variables at work that could turn a precision pass completion into yet another incompletion.

Your quarterback’s movement during the throw will affect the throw’s accuracy. Stop and plant your feet before throwing the pass. Throwing on the run tosses a much less accurate pass. Continue to try and throw on the run and your composure and ratings may begin to suffer and you’ll have a tougher time recovering your passing attack. Obviously there will be many times you won’t have a choice. Just keep in mind that trying to force an already inaccurate pass into tight coverage could be disastrous. Consider using the "throw ball away" button instead.

Another key decision in your quarterback’s throw is whether to throw a lob pass or a bullet pass. Holding down the corresponding receiver button hurls a bullet pass; tapping the button tosses a lobbed ball. The basics are pretty simple. If you need the ball to get there quickly--for instance the receiver is suddenly open between defenders--then use the bullet pass. If you’re throwing a deep fly pattern, use a lob pass to toss the ball over defenders and allow your receiver to run underneath for the catch.

A receiver in a crossing route over the middle is a good time for a bullet pass. Lobbing one up there may give time for the defenders to move into position for a possible interception. An out pattern along the sidelines could be good for either pass. A bullet if there’s a zone defender nearby or a lob if the receiver is open and you want to give him room to run under it for an easier catch.

Utilize the pump fake button if your quarterback isn’t under intense pressure from linemen or blitzers. Pump faking can cause defensive backs (particularly those rattled) to bite on the move. This could free up a receiver for a nice (or huge) gain.

Now there’s the issue of actually catching the ball. If you’re having trouble with receivers keeping their mitts on the rock then you’ll need to take control. As the ball approaches the receiver, select him and press the "jump for pass" button to catch the ball. Just hitting the "jump for pass" button when the ball reaches the receiver seems to increase catch percentage greatly.

Finding the Open Target

The following are some tips on pass play selection and finding and hitting the open receiver during the pass play.

• A successful pass play begins with wise pass play selection. If your opponent has selected a base 4-3 defense or something even more run-oriented, then select a pass play with many wide receivers. Without the defensive backs, the defense will have trouble covering all of your wideouts. And some of those that are covered will be blanketed by slower linebackers.
• But even if your opponent is in a "pass defense" such as nickel or dime then you can still find success with wise play selection. What does your opponent typically chose on defense? Does your opponent pick a lot of zone or a lot of man coverage? Underneath crossing routes work well against a zone, especially one that plays a bit deeper and off the line. Hit the receiver as he moves through the pockets in the zone. Also choose plays that flood one side of the field. This forces the defensive players to choose who to cover. Look for the open man. Man coverage can be beaten on a variety of patterns. Just avoid tossing to that receiver if he’s moving toward another defender (who could be in zone) or you could force the ball into a double coverage situation.
• If you have a receiver lined up in man coverage and the safety has moved over and you’re now in a one-on-one situation, that’s the time to hit the receiver on a deep ball. Call plays with deep patterns or use a hot route to change the receiver’s route to go deep. Wait until the receiver clears any safety help then throw the pass!
• Throwing within the passing lanes also plays a large role in finding the open target. Against a zone defense you may find defenders standing between you and the open receiver. Trying to toss the ball over those defenders can be difficult; it often seems like the defenders are 10 feet tall and can swipe down anything nearby. Wait until your receiver’s route moves behind these defenders’ positions and into an open passing lane. With nothing between you, the ball’s flight, and the receiver, you should be able to hit your target.
• It should go without saying to avoid tossing the ball into double coverage. Tips and interceptions are fairly common place. The more defenders around the ball, the greater the chance the ball will be tipped and picked off.
• Counter an aggressive opponent with play-action passes (labeled "PA" in the play selection screen). These pass plays simulate a run play but are actually a pass play. They can be dangerous if the defense is in a heavy blitz (because your QB goes through the handoff motion which takes time) but these plays can be very powerful by opening up receivers against defensive players that bit the run. Against a human opponent, watch the controlled defender and see if he pulls off his coverage assignment.
• Be on the lookout for key mismatches. How does your WR rate against your opponent’s CB? Check the match-up stick to see which defensive back is rattled. Look at the statistics in detail to see who has the speed advantage. Put in a speedy receiver and try to burn a rattled cornerback deep. Exploiting mismatches will help get guys open, which in turn helps you complete passes, move the ball, and get first downs.

Top Ten Rated Quarterbacks

The following chart lists the top ten quarterbacks sorted by overall rating in NCAA Football 2005. Each quarterback’s speed is also listed so you can gauge their worth as a pocket passer or as an option ball handler.

TEAM	PLAYER	OVERALL RATING	SPEED
USC Trojans	QB #11	95	62
Oklahoma Sooners	QB #18	95	56
Missouri Tigers	QB #16	95	85
UConn Huskies	QB #7	93	59
Georgia Bulldogs	QB #14	93	56
Cal Golden Bears	QB #8	93	56
Arizona State Wildcats	QB #16	93	56
Toledo Rockets	QB #7	92	59
Clemson Tigers	QB #6	92	56
Purdue Boiler Makers	QB #18	91	62

Top Wide Receivers

The following chart reveals the top ten wide receivers in NCAA Football 2005 sorted by overall rating. Each receiver’s speed rating is also included.

TEAM	PLAYER	OVERALL RATING	SPEED
USC Trojans	WR #1	99	90
Oklahoma Sooners	WR #9	95	94
Michigan Wolverines	WR #1	95	91
Georgia Bulldogs	WR #82	94	93
Cal Golden Bears	WR #6	93	92
Florida State Seminoles	WR #1	92	96
West Virginia Mountaineers	WR #5	91	94
Western Michigan Broncos	WR #15	91	93
Utah Utes	WR #82	91	90
UCLA Bruins	WR #87	91	95

Top Tight Ends

The following list compiles the top ten tight ends in NCAA Football 2005 sorted by overall rating.

TEAM	PLAYER	OVERALL RATING	SPEED
Virginia Cavaliers	TE #89	97	80
Toledo Rockets	TE #89	96	78
UCLA Bruins	TE #19	94	84
Tulsa Golden Hurricane	TE #20	94	82
Nebraska Cornhuskers	TE #11	94	82
Stanford Cardinal	TE #81	93	76
Michigan State Spartans	TE #81	93	76
Miami Hurricanes	TE #84	93	86
Oregon Ducks	TE #85	92	72
Michigan State Spartans	TE #4	92	78

The Ground Game -- The Rushing Attack

An effective rushing attack will be about patience and sound play calling decisions. The patience part is about sticking with the run even if you suffer a few setbacks. Sound play calling decisions means you should carefully calculate the best times to call a run and the best times to audible out of a run.

If the defense has stacked the line, pulled the corners up, and pinched the linebackers in the middle, then your HB Blast through the middle of the line likely won’t be a very effective play. You need to run the ball to mix up your game and keep the defense guessing but you should also be strategic enough to audible out of the play in the best interest of gaining yards! A pass against a 5-2 defense with coverage pulled in is a much wiser decision than trying to force something on the ground that might not be there.

Sound play calling also means to run in passing situations on occasion. This not only confuses your opponent and keeps them guessing to what you’re going to do but it’s also likely quite effective. Your opponent calls a zone dime defense. Call an off tackle run, burst through the line, dodge the linebacker, and now you’re in the secondary gaining big yardage.

Follow your blockers on a run play. Things along an offense line do break down but often it’s best to follow the play as designed. Watch your blocker hold the block pushing in or out and adjust your path accordingly. Don’t abuse the sprint burst button until you’re moving beyond the blocking.

Other moves will also help you gain a few extra yards. You can direct your spin either in or out. If there’s a defender coming at your right side, spin inward; if he’s coming at the left, spin outward. Use the stiff arm button to break tackles and gain extra yards. The juke button can turn a short gain into a long burst. As the defender approaches, jam the juke button and move in the direction away from most of the defense. Resume course down field!

Watch the position of the defenses line and linebackers when deciding how to manage the running play. If the defenders shift to one side, reverse the running play using the hot route button. Also, put some men in motion and shift them to the side you’re running on for some additional blocking assistance. It’s also wise to run away from blitzes unless you believe you have the speed to get around the blitzer.

It could also be effective to run away from your receivers, especially in a man defense where defenders are following those receivers closely. Often their backs are turned away from the line of scrimmage giving you extra time to gain yardage. For instance, call an I-Form run play where both receivers are on the same side of the field. Run in the other direction either by play design or using the hot route button.

Keep in mind that home field advantage and composure elements affect running backs too! If you get tackled for a loss, your running back may lose some composure and receive some decreased rating points. Consider your substitute options during the game. If your RB is rattled, switch in a replacement for a series. Then again, if he’s hot feed him the ball!

Top Running Backs

The following chart reveals NCAA Football 2005’s top 10 running backs sorted by overall rating.

TEAM	PLAYER	OVERALL RATING	SPEED
Kansas State Wildcats	HB #43	97	96
Auburn Tigers	HB #24	97	90
Syracuse Orangemen	HB #39	95	90
Texas Longhorns	HB #32	94	90
Minnesota Golden Gophers	HB #21	93	90
Wisconsin Badgers	HB #28	92	97
Virginia Cavaliers	HB #33	92	87
New Mexico Lobos	HB #22	92	90
North Carolina State Wolfpack	HB #44	92	88
Auburn Tigers	HB #23	92	94

Running the Option

The option play is a great way to mix up your running game, which should help to open opportunities in the passing game. The option is aptly named: it gives you an option. The quarterback scampers along the line of scrimmage and is faced with a decision--sometimes several decisions. He can turn it up field and gain positive yardage, he can quickly pitch to the nearby running back, he can turn up field then pitch it to the running back, on some plays he could have handed off to the fullback instead, or on some plays he can look for a receiver downfield.

As with all offensive plays, check the defensive alignment to gauge your best course of action. You may need to reverse the play if the defense has overloaded one side of the field. As you move the quarterback left or right along the line of scrimmage, note the position of incoming defenders. If they’re moving toward the quarterback then consider the pitch to the RB. If they’re covering the RB, turn the quarterback inside and go for positive yards. Obviously the option works best with a speedy quarterback; however, it certainly is a requirement.

Be careful with your pitches. Although the quarterbacks are fairly accurate, if there’s an obstruction between you and the running back (including your own blockers), the pitch may be tipped. This results in a fumble and subsequent mad scramble for the ball. The likely best scenario here is the loss of yardage: the worst is a turnover. In other words, it’s bad news!

Use caution when calling option passes. It’s wise to run your quarterback in the direction of his throwing arm. That way if you decide to go into throw mode, he can set his feet more quickly. If you’re running the opposite direction, your quarterback has to turn around and plant his feet. If the defense has sent in a blitzer (or defenders have broken through the line), the time it takes for your quarterback to set could be long enough for the defender to complete the sack.

Chapter 5: Defensive Gameplan

Defense might not get the accolades of a great offense but many would agree that it’s the play of a team’s defense that determines the game’s outcome. Playing great defense sets up your offense. Play great defense and you gain the advantage of field position. If the offense has a shorter field to the opposing team’s goal, you’re likely to score more often. Play great defense and cause turnovers--it may save a score or put your offense in scoring position.

This section provides strategies and tactics for maximizing your play on defense. You’ll find tips on using NCAA Football 2005’s new feature, the match-up stick, advantages and disadvantages of specific defensive formations, managing your defense play-by-play, and tables revealing the top defensive stars in the game.

Alignment -- The Match-Up Stick

A new feature in NCAA Football 2005 is the match-up stick. Press the right-analog stick right, down, or left and you can see how certain defensive players match up with their offensive counterparts. Use the match-up stick to see which defensive players are composed and have an advantage over your opponent’s roster. The chart below describes the match-up stick’s control scheme and how to use the new feature as part of your defensive scheme.

MATCH-UP	CONTROL	APPLICATION
Defensive Line vs. Offensive Line	Right-Analog Stick to the Right	If the left side of your defensive line is stronger than the offensive line, consider blitzing on that side. If you’re struggling, consider switching out a rattled player. Expect runs to come to the weakened side!
Linebackers vs. Backfield	Right-Analog Stick Down	Check how your linebackers match up against the opposing team’s backfield. Weakened or rattled linebackers may miss more tackles against better backs. Or good linebackers might be effective in blitz situations.
Secondary vs. Wide Receivers	Right-Analog Stick to the Left	A cornerback that matches up well against a receiver could be left in man coverage while you double other wideouts. But if you have a rattled defensive back, use a substitution or risk getting burned repeatedly!

Defensive Formations

Each team uses the same nine defensive formations. Although it seems confusing, the formation’s name reveals its make-up and subsequently its strengths and weaknesses. This section offers tips for each formation and maximizing its strengths and offsetting its weaknesses. These are just suggestions, however; you may find success using a goal line against a four wide receiver set. Just don’t expect much consistency!

FORMATION	DESCRIPTION	ADVANTAGES	DISADVANTAGES
Goal Line	Tight formation for short-yardage situations.	Use in short yardage (such as less than a yard to go) situations. Stack the line, pinch the linebackers and the line, and even pull over the corners to help stop that up the gut run.	Obviously weak against the longer passes, though can be effective against the pass near the goal line. Beware of opponent audibles to pass plays. Be ready to adjust.
4-2-5	Four defensive linemen, two linebackers, five defensive backs.	Nickel secondary to cover pass plays (three WR sets) and a good defensive line could still get pressure on the QB. Linebackers can blitz or be in their zone.	Can be weak against a run that gets through the line--only a couple linebackers between the ball carrier and secondary. Stay in zone if you think opponent may run.
3-3-5 Stack	Three defensive linemen, three linebackers, five defensive backs.	Five defensive backs to cover the pass with three linebackers available to cover run or provide additional pressure on quarterback.	With no LBs or DBs blitzing, the three man line may not get much pressure on quarterback.
5-2	Five defensive linemen, two linebackers, four defensive backs.	The stacked line is effective in short yardage run situations. Use line shift toward expected run play.	If a run gets beyond the defensive line, it’s open territory. Protect the outside run lanes using shifts and blitzes. And don’t use against passing plays!
4-4	Four defensive linemen, four linebackers, three defensive backs.	Additional linebackers can protect outside run. Many blitzing options. Strong against runs and short passes.	Only three defensive backs will put a lot of pressure on your corners and safeties. Beware of trip WR sets or greater or play a safer zone defense.
Dime	Six defensive backs.	Strongest against the certain passing situations. Six defensive backs can cover a lot of area, particularly in zone. Use against four and more WR sets.	Watch for the run audibles at the line and beware of quarterback scrambles, especially if your defensive backs are in man coverage and moving away from line of scrimmage.
Nickel	Five defensive backs.	Similar to dime only five defensive backs. Use against three WR sets.	Similar to dime: watch for run plays and scrambles.
3-4	Three defensive linemen, four linebackers, four defensive backs.	Four linebackers offers a variety of blitz packages. Best if you have strong linebackers over line. Good mobility along the line for outside runs and options. Decent against medium pass as linebackers can cover lanes in zone.	Beware of pass-heavy offensive sets. You don’t want linebackers covering wide receivers! Somewhat susceptible to inside run depending on what your linebackers are doing.
4-3	Four defensive linemen, three linebackers, four defensive backs.	Standard base defense. Best if you have a strong line over linebackers. Covers inside run well and short to medium passes.	Once again beware of the pass formations. Outside and option run can be difficult without proper linebacker alignment.

Defensive Shifts

NCAA Football 2005 allows you to move your three primary defensive positions before the ball is snapped. The three are your linemen, your linebackers, and your coverage (cornerbacks and safeties). By repositioning these players, you can better structure your defense to stop the run, protect against the deep ball, jam a tight-end off the line of scrimmage, or a variety of all of these. Here are the specific button combinations to move your line, linebackers, and coverage and the reason to do each.

PRESS	THEN PRESS	MOVES	COMMENTS
L1 on PS2, L on X-Box and Gamecube	Left	Linemen shift to the left	If you’re anticipating a run to the left, moving a lineman in front of a tight-end to jam, or opening a space for a blitzing linebacker.
L1 on PS2, L on X-Box and Gamecube	Right	Linemen shift to the right	If you’re anticipating a run to the right, moving a lineman in front of a tight-end to jam, or opening a space for a blitzing linebacker.
L1 on PS2, L on X-Box and Gamecube	Down	Linemen close together	If you’re anticipating a run up the middle or freeing up the end for an outside blitzer.
L1 on PS2, L on X-Box and Gamecube	Up	Linemen spread apart	If you’re anticipating an outside run or opening the middle for a blitzing linebacker.
R1 on PS2, R on X-Box and Gamecube	Left	Linebackers shift to the left	If you’re anticipating an outside run to the left or want to open a lane for a blitzing linebacker.
R1 on PS2, R on X-Box and Gamecube	Right	Linebackers shift to the right	If you’re anticipating an outside run to the left or want to open a lane for a blitzing linebacker.
R1 on PS2, R on X-Box and Gamecube	Down	Linebackers approach the line of scrimmage	If you’re anticipating a run and want to fill gaps or want faster blitz pressure on the quarterback.
R1 on PS2, R on X-Box and Gamecube	Up	Linebackers spread apart	If you’re protecting against the outside run or opening a lane for an outside blitz.
Triangle on PS2, Y on the X-Box and Gamecube	Down	Cornerbacks and safeties move closer to the line of scrimmage	Cornerbacks will be close to their coverage assignments in man-on-man and safeties move to the line to provide run support. Good against runs or short passes but very vulnerable to a deep ball.
Triangle on PS2, Y on the X-Box and Gamecube	Up	Cornerbacks and safeties move back off the line of scrimmage even further	Cornerbacks will move back off their receivers and safeties move back further. Good if you’re anticipating a deep ball but more vulnerable to the run and very vulnerable to certain short passes and crossing routes.

Managing the Defense

Knowing formations and match-ups certainly helps but it’s applying these concepts on the field that creates a solid, consistent defense. This section offers some tips on managing your defense effectively, such as tips on controlling specific defenders, play-calling, and taking advantage of (or countering) home field advantage.

• Use audibles and alignment shifts if you’re trying to predict the offense’s play and play direction. For instance, if your opponent repeatedly runs option plays along the left side of the line, shift your linebackers to the left to help disrupt the play. You may need to audible out of certain coverages. Perhaps you called a big blitz but worry about the deep ball; call an audible and get out of the blitz and back into a safer zone.
• Zone defenses are safer against the run because your defensive players are holding position in certain zones and they’re also looking toward the opposing team’s backfield. In a man-to-man defense, the defensive players follow their responsibility and run away from the line of scrimmage. They could continue to away even as the running back crosses the line and starts picking up big yardage.
• Each defensive play contains a few symbols and color variations at the play selection screen. It’s wise to know each of these when considering a defense. If a player has an arrow pointing toward the bottom of the screen then that player is blitzing. A player indicated by a blue dot is a spy, meaning his job is to trail the quarterback to help prevent scrambles and option plays. If a player has a yellow circle around him, he’s in zone coverage and responsible for that area of the field. If a player is red, he’s in man-to-man coverage and responsible for a specific offensive player.
• Be careful when selecting a defensive player to control. Use the coach’s cam to check defensive player assignments. You’ll need to follow the assignment! Linemen are pretty safe because they’re primarily rushing passer but selecting a linebacker or a defensive back could pose problems if you don’t follow their assignment. For instance, you control a safety and he’s assigned in man coverage against the tight end. If you just start roaming or you decide to blitz, the tight end will be open.
• Zone defenses are a bit safer depending on the skills of your defensive backs. Your defensive players cover a certain zone. If a receiver enters the zone, the defensive player assumes coverage. This helps put players in the passing lanes, which could lead to tips and interceptions. But zones do have holes. A patient passer could hit receivers that are just moving into a zone pocket. Even deep patterns have some holes, such as a corner route on a Cover 2 zone. Man-to-man is more aggressive and best used when you have solid, fast cornerbacks. You could even shift coverage over to keep one weaker receiver in man-to-man and concentrate on other receivers.
• Defend the option by playing containment. Don’t necessarily go for the aggressive tackle. Force the quarterback or running back outside and to make a decision. The farther you push the quarterback outside, the less room the running back has along the sideline. Move laterally along the line so you’ll have the players in position to make the tackle against the quarterback if he turns upfield or the running back if he takes the ball.
• Use the "catch/defend pass" button on defense when covering a deep ball. The defender will attempt to swat the ball and may even score an interception. You should also use this button if the ball is moving through a passing lane. NCAA Football 2005 contains a new "big hit" button. Its pros and cons are fairly apparent. A successful big hit might jar the ball loose (or even knock a player’s helmet off!) but a miss could lead to a bigger gain.
• Home field advantage works similar as if you’re on offense. Successes and failures can affect your defenses composure. Check the depth chart to see rating changes. Consider substitutions on rattled players. Utilize your match-up stick to see which match-ups are favoring you and which are favoring the offense.

Top Ten Defensive Linemen

The following chart reveals the top rated NCAA Football 2005 defensive linemen sorted by overall rating.

TEAM	PLAYER	OVERALL RATING	SPEED
LSU Tigers	LE #84	99	76
Georgia Bulldogs	LE #47	99	76
Boston College Eagles	LE #94	98	82
Notre Dame Fighting Irish	RE #44	97	82
Wisconsin Badgers	DT #77	97	65
Oregon State Beavers	RE #90	96	76
Oklahoma Sooners	RE #80	96	76
Oregon Ducks	DT #96	96	65
Miami Hurricanes	DT #92	95	68
USC Trojans	LE #84	95	72

Top Ten Linebackers

The following table shows the top rated linebackers in NCAA Football 2005 sorted by overall rating.

TEAM	PLAYER	OVERALL RATING	SPEED
Texas Longhorns	LOLB #11	99	88
Southern Miss Golden Eagles	ROLB #27	98	87
Washington State Cougars	MLB #51	96	86
San Diego State Aztecs	MLB #34	95	85
USC Trojans	ROLB #6	95	84
Oklahoma Sooners	MLB #10	94	84
Clemson Tigers	MLB #43	94	85
Virginia Cavaliers	ROLB #56	93	87
Iowa Hawkeyes	MLB #52	93	86
Florida Gators	MLB #55	93	84

Top Ten Defensive Backs

Here are the top ten rated defensive backs in NCAA Football 2005 sorted by overall rating.

TEAM	PLAYER	OVERALL RATING	SPEED
UNLV Rebels	SS #27	98	88
Nebraska Cornhuskers	FS #20	97	90
LSU Tigers	CB #13	97	93
Miami Hurricanes	CB #6	97	92
Wisconsin Badgers	FS #18	96	86
North Carolina State Wolfpack	SS #36	96	88
Auburn Tigers	CB #14	95	92
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets	FS #22	95	88
Fresno State Bulldogs	SS #23	95	88
Clemson Tigers	CB #9	94	93

Chapter 6: Online Strategies

EA Sports now included Xbox live support for its sports games and NCAA Football 2005 is the first to support the feature (PlayStation 2 online play remains included of course). Competing against a human opponent is much different than playing against a computer-controlled adversary. Often it’s as much about outthinking your opponent then just outplaying him. This section offers tips on succeeding in NCAA Football 2005’s online play.

• You may want to select one of the stronger teams in your first forays into online play. You may have graduated from University of South Florida but you’ll find it difficult to play your alma mater online against the toughest teams in the game, such as USC, Texas, or Oklahoma. Once you gain some confidence, try out your USF Bulls. There are many players online that don’t necessarily stick with the top five and they typically produce the most exciting games.
• Some players are crafty at the team selection screen. They’ll wait for you to make your pick then adjust theirs as some sort of counter. For instance, you pick a "favorite" team over a powerhouse, perhaps something in the lower top 25 like the West Virginia Mountaineers. Smelling blood, your opponent switches from their presumed selection of Maryland Terrapins and moves to USC Trojans. Don’t allow yourself to be abused by this. Cancel your team selection if your opponent starts moving the team around again and when all else fails, just leave and find another opponent.
• Study the top teams in the game so you know what you’re up against. Know the stars on each team and adjust your gameplan accordingly. USC’s primary wide receiver is the best in the game. You may want to use double coverage at the start of the game to keep him at bay. Don’t line up man-on-man and allow him to get hot and into the game.
• When you’re on defense, wait until the offense selects their play and formation before selecting your defense. The offense may select a four wide receiver set and you don’t want to be stuck in a 5-2 and have to audible quickly. Naturally the offense may be calling a four wide receiver set and still running the ball but you’re better off playing off the offense’s play call then just haphazardly selecting your defense before the offense has set.
• Likewise, if you’re up against an opponent that calls their defenses quickly, look to put your opponent in mismatch situations. For instance, call deep patterns against the 4-4, which lacks significant deep safety help. Or if your opponent sticks in dime constantly, consider some power running plays. Note that these aren’t always cut and dry decisions. Your opponent may select dime then move everyone up to the line and press to help guard the run. You may want to audible to a deep pattern to expose his aggressiveness.
• Monitor your home field advantage situation carefully whether you’re on the road or at home. Momentum can swing wildly in NCAA Football 2005. You might be looking strong early in the game but a few setbacks and player failures and all of the sudden you’re dropping passes left and right. Use the match-up stick to see who is clicking and who’s rattled. Consider substitutions for struggling stars and dish the ball frequently to the hot hand.
• Predictability is death in online play. Don’t use just one play per formation or your opponent may catch on that every time you call I-Form you run to the left. Also mix up your expected run and pass situations. Call a jumbo set but pass out of it; call a shotgun spread formation but run out of the formation.
• Mix up your offense by calling the hurry up on occasion. You don’t necessarily have to run the same exact play if you’re prepared your audibles well. This can put a defense on its heels and force a bad coverage or set to remain on the field--or force your opponent to call a timeout to make an adjustment. Prepare your audibles before going online and be sure to utilize hot routes to exploit mismatches and coverage problems. You’ll also use hot routes to reverse running plays, which may be key if your opponent shifts line and linebackers to one side predicting your play.
• Be sure to study the tips and suggestions throughout the offensive and defensive gameplan sections of this game guide. These tips certainly apply to online game situations as well as in games against the computer-controlled opponents.

Chapter 7: Cheat Codes

This section covers NCAA Football 2005 cheat codes. Go to "My NCAA" and into the "Pennant Collection" and enter the following codes to unlock the specific pennant.

CODE	PENNANT
2005	Thread the Needle. This pennant narrows the uprights when your opponent tries a field goal.
All Hail	WSU Mascot Team (Butch)
Bear Down	Arizona Mascot Team (Wilbur)
Big Orange	Tennessee All-Time Team
Blitz	What a Hit. This pennant increases your opponent’s chances of getting injured.
Boomer	Oklahoma All-Time Team
Bow Down	Washington All-Time Team
Death Valley	Clemson All-Time Team
EA Sports	Cuffed. This pennant prevents your team from fumbling or throwing interceptions.
Elite 11	QB Dud. This pennant causes your opponent’s passes to be high and wobbly.
Fight	Texas Tech All-Time Team
Fight On	USC All-Time Team
Football	Take Your Time. This pennant gives your team
For	Blink. This pennant causes the ref to spot the ball short for your opponent.
Fumble	2003 All-American Team
Geaux Tigers	LSU All-Time Team
Gig Em	Texas A&M All-Time Team
Glory	Colorado All-Time Team
Go Big Red	Nebraska All-Time Team
Go Blue	Michigan All-Time Team
Go Carolina	South Carolina Mascot Team (Cocky)
Go Cats	NU Mascot Team (Willie)
Go Deacs Go	Wake Forest Mascot Team (The Deacon)
Go Green	MSU Mascot Team (Sparty)
Go Pack	NCSU Mascot Team (Mr. Wuf)
Go Pokes	Oklahoma State All-Time Team
Golden Domer	Notre Dame All-Time Team
Great To Be	Florida All-Time Team
Hail State	Mississippi State All-Time Team
Hail WV	WVU Mascot Team (The Mountaineer)
Hike	Jumbalaya. This pennant adds points to your score when your player is injured.
Home Field	Molasses. This pennant increases your opponent’s fatigue factor for one game.
Hook Em	Texas All-Time Team
Hotty Totty	Ole Miss Mascot Team (Colonel Reb)
Hunker Down	Georgia All-Time Team
Lets Go Pitt	Pittsburgh All-Time Team
Killer Nuts	Ohio State All-Time Team
Mighty	UCLA All-Time Team
Mizzou Rah	Mizzou Mascot Team (Truman)
NCAA	Stiffed. This pennant doubles your opponent’s penalty yardage for one game.
On Iowa	Iowa All-Time Team
On On UK	UK Mascot Team (The Wildcat)
Orange Crush	Syracuse All-Time Team
Oskee Wow	Illinois Fighting Illini Team Boost
Quack Attack	Oregon All-Time Team
Rah Rah Rah	Minnesota Mascot Team (Goldy Gopher)
Raising Cane	Miami All-Time Team
Ramblinwreck	GT Mascot Team (Buzz)
Red and Gold	ISU Mascot Team (Cy)
Registering	Boing. This pennant increases your opponent’s chances of dropping passes.
Rock Chalk	KU Mascot Team (Big Jay)
Roll Tide	Alabama All-Time Team
Sic Em	Baylor Team Boost
Tech Triumph	Virginia Tech All-Time Team
Thanks	1st & 15. This pennant forces your opponent to gain 15 yards for a first down.
Tiburon	Crossed the Line. This pennant allows your QB to throw the ball past the line of scrimmage.
Uprising	Florida State All-Time Team
Victory	Kansas State All-Time Team
Wahoos	Virginia All-Time Team
War Eagle	Auburn All-Time Team
We Are	Penn State All-Time Team
With EA	Butter Fingers. This pennant increases your opponent’s chances for fumbling for one game.
WooPigSooie	Arkansas All-Time Team