Chapter 6 - Online Strategies

Surprise, surprise. Your online opponent picked the top rated team in the game!

The PlayStation 2 version of NCAA Football 2004 includes online play (if you also own the Sony network adapter). Online play is certainly exciting. It keeps track of your record, scoring, and even how many times you disconnected from a game (shame on you!). This section offers some additional tips on maintaining your sanity while competing on the online gridiron.

• Expect to face many top 5 teams when you’re playing online. Whether they are your opponent’s favorite teams are not, the fact is these teams are highly rated, quite powerful, and a popular choice in the online crowd (particularly if you’re choosing random match-up games). You’ll face your share of Miami, Oklahoma, Texas, and, of course, Ohio State. But there are those that venture out of the top 5 and choose their favorite squad, even brave enough to venture down into the top 50. So when you want to bring your alma mater UCF to the online gridiron, don’t be surprised when Ohio State fan manhandles you. The online community definitely respects your selection, however!
• With that said, know the top teams and know their tendencies. Oklahoma is a powerhouse on defense; Miami is extremely fast and most Hurricanes favor the deep ball; and Texas’ WR #4 is ungodly. It’s wise to know what you’re up against and form a gameplan accordingly. Running against Oklahoma will be extremely tough so start mixing in the short passes to loosen the Sooners’ defense and hopefully open up the running game. Start calling nickel against Miami when the shotgun formations are called. And by all means, cover WR #4 if you're playing Texas!
• It pays to be unpredictable when facing a human opponent. Call a run offensive formation but pass. Call a shotgun formation but choose a draw play to the running back instead. Watch what defensive formation your opponent selects. If he just chose a dime, he expects you to pass. Throw a run at him. When he chooses a 4-4, he’s very well blitzing or at worst looking to stuff your run or option. Choose a quick pass or a screen to burn that blitz.
• Prepare your audibles before playing online. You just called a run but your opponent has moved up the safeties and linebackers anticipating your call. This would be a great time for an audible! Select some of your favorite plays for your audibles. Try and have some for specific situations, such as a quick slant to burn a blitz, a deep ball when you spot a one-on-one match-up or a run play for when the defense is playing off anticipating the pass.

Call a hot route to counter an incoming blitz or if you spot a mismatch.

• Hot routes are another important tool for online play. Say you just called a play where your two left receivers go deep. But your opponent’s corners are playing off. Wouldn’t it be great if one of those receivers ran a short out pattern? With hot routes they can! Call a hot route and press the receiver’s button followed by a directional key (which is toward the sidelines for a quick out). Check the game’s manual for more information on hot routes.
• Mismatches are important on offense. Look for opportunities to line up one of your receivers against your opponent’s linebacker. When you see one of his linebackers shift over to coverage, you know the receiver has the advantage. Look for him!
• At the time of this writing, if the connection is lost during the game, you don’t want to quit. Continue to play against the computer if you care about your online record. If you quit, it goes toward your disconnection rate. You don’t want other online players thinking you quit on games do you?
• The hurry up offense can capitalize on a poor defensive call. As an example: your opponent just called a 4-4 formation and a heavy blitz against your deep pass. You end up sacked. But you know your play has the advantage against that defense. Call a hurry up to get back to the line and run the play. Toss the ball quickly to the open man before the blitz reaches your quarterback! Look for wise online opponents to audible out of their defense, however.
• Don’t neglect the offensive and defensive tips throughout this game guide. They are as applicable online as they are against the computer.
• If you didn’t enjoy playing with a particular online opponent or if he quit on your game, check your "User Information" when in a lobby. It tracks your last 10 games. You can note the user id of the other player and then steer clear of him and his games!