Digital Sportspage Blog

I’m aware that most have put away NCAA 2008, and are busy playing Halo 3 or NHL 08. Being an college football junkie, I keep coming back to the game for online play, as it’s solid when playing against another human. However, offline play has serious problems. I’ve already posted on some of the issues in the passing game, and now for some AI problems in option defense.

I’ve been playing using a dual dynasty with Florida and Temple, using Temple to see how challenging the game can be with a lower-tier lteam. In my first game, I had problems and lost…but then in my second game, I discovered the wonder of the wishbone. Triple option plays in the wishbone were extremely effective, to the point where I would run the same option play over and over again, and I was nearly unstoppable. In the wishbone. With Temple.

So I decided to go into practice mode and use the triple option counter for the offense and a cover 2 man for the defense. In the wishbone, corners will be assigned to man cover the two tight ends. When running the play, don’t handoff to the fullback and run an option to one side. Often, the cornerback to the side where you are running will be unblocked and have a chance at getting to the quarterback. But nearly every time, the corner will run past (and sometimes AWAY) from the quarterback, plunging into the offensive line and out of the play.

Why? Well, in a man defense, it seems like the AI is programmed to cover his assigned man until the exact moment that the ball carrier crosses the line of scrimmage. In these man defenses, the corner on the side of the play is assigned to cover the TE. The job of the TE on this play is to block, so he usually sits and blocks a DE. The CB, completely oblivious to the option QB, decides to also block the TE, since this is his assignment. He doesn’t break off of the TE until the QB crosses the line of scrimmage, by which time the QB is gone for the races.

This behavior is also observed in other option plays. If a player is assigned to cover a man, they’ll stay with that man, even if he is clearly blocking and even if the play is clearly a run. But once the QB crosses the line of scrimmage, it is as if a signal goes off in the defender’s helmet to break from his man and go for the ball carrier.

NCAA defensive AI has been like this for at least the last 3-4 years. This is possibly because of money play issues with option pass plays in last-gen AI football titles. However, it seems like in the next-generation, there should be player AI improvements such that defenders show even the most basic play awareness. When it’s obvious that it’s a run play, defenders should break off their man and play the run. And if there’s a trick play (say an option pass), defenders ability to “read” the correct play should be based on ratings for awareness, intelligence, and aggressiveness.

This is one of the most critical AI issues to be addressed in future iterations of the NCAA series. Realistic option play is a core component of any college football game, and this simplistic AI makes for an unrealistic gameplay experience.