Played 1 online game and its the smoothiest version of NCAA online since NCAA 2004 on the ps2.

I have the ps3 version by the way. My 360 is out for repair (red ring of death) and I didn't want to wait 3 weeks to play the game so I got it for PS3 instead.

how does that work? you just play your team schedule but a human plays the other team???

I messed around setting up an online dynasty and invited Dunn, not sure if a user can have multiple online dynasties going on as I know the two of you are doing a dynasty, but the amount of options and what you can do so far was good.

Gameplay is interesting. I was shocked and not sure if I should be confused yet or not.

I typically the last few years dating back to the original Xbox have always played my first game as Iowa against a sub-par team, usually Akron. It would always give me some impressions on what if anything really worked, what changed, and also check out some of the newer items that are now in the game. I did this very same thing last night, and was really surprised, All-American is the level I am playing on.

The gameplay was smooth, other than some occasional graphic issues which were really minor, nothing out of the ordinary from past football games, with collision issues. The returns were really nice, I saw blocking that I have not seen before on both sides of the ball, even the punt coverage/returns looked smoother and more free-thinking then I have seen before.

Offensive plays were shocking. Dunn and Terry both have played me and know I am not the typical offensive runner that is predictable, I pull a lot of wild plays and go against the grain. Usually it does not work. This game it did. I did a few of the stupid throws that I am known for which are usually 6 points the other way, however this game there were a couple of drops, and just one tipped pass on these cross field throws (albeit shorter throws). The long game was better covered but there were openings that I believed were correct due to the team differences. The running game was there for some plays and shut down on others, tied well to the defensive play call they worked when they should have and shut down for others. All in all on offense Iowa played like the better team and there were not the 'super' plays that I have seen in the past.

Defensive was much of the same. To go along with what I have seen others say, the AI did not throw but one deep play the entire game, and that was on a blown coverage that I was out of position for. I missed the tackle and Akron scored their only touchdown. I shut the run down, but did give up a few double digit gains, and I intercepted twice on balls that were poorly thrown into coverage. Again the match ups of the two teams were as expected with Iowa being stronger, and the extra yardage Akron received was from my style of play.

Overall I think this is with a one solid game played comparing to past games, a much more refined game, with new animations, a couple of which were wow animations, and I initially think a more solid core. I did not see any of the major issues that are being talked about elsewhere, but I will be looking for those.

Any thoughts?

I have thrown a few picks too. I played terry last night and he turned the ball over 4 times to my 0 and I still lost 28-14. I have not got the running game down yet, but I am enjoying the passing game a lot. Using some touch to get the ball over the LB heads is fun.

I have not seen any home field advantage stuff really yet.

Syracuse does not travel well :)

I am having a tough time moving the ball on the ground. Maybe I need to practice more. But I usually get 1-3 yards every carry.

This year i am doing something different. I decided not to read anything about the game on the internet or from others except maybe when it was supposed to be released. So i went into the game only knowing information that it shows on the back of the box. Therefore i havent read any praises, complaints or anything. I know nothing about sliders, presentation...nada. I am a total 'casual gamer' with this purchase.

Initial impressions? its a pretty fun game. Passing and running are fun. And playing defense is fun as well. I might even try out the dynasty mode for once. Downloading rosters from our good friend Terry was super easy. For once i had a blast practicing plays and playing FSU vs UM with no preconceived notions.

And no, i ain't reading any of you people's impressions. My experiment continues. =P

Does it really matter when you're talking about spazticball??

I started my offline dynasty last night with Georgia. Of course their first game this year is against Georgia Southern. I think the final score was 112-7. I had to put my second string in at the start of the 3rd quarter as no one on FCS-East or whatever they are called could tackle Knowshon. They did not do a much better job at tackling Caleb King either. I think I ended the day with over 400 yards rushing total.