NCAA Football 14: A Deep Dive into Gameplay Features
EA Sports' NCAA Football 14, released several years ago, remains a beloved title despite the series' hiatus. This article explores the gameplay features that made NCAA Football 14 a success and examines how those features have evolved in subsequent football games.
The Legacy of NCAA Football 14
NCAA Football 14 was the last version of the college football video game series released by EA Sports. The game remains popular thanks to dedicated fans who update the rosters before each season. The game's "Teambuilder" feature went offline about a year ago. Madden 20 features college gameplay as part of its ‘Face of the Franchise: QB1’ mode.
Simulating the 2019 Season
Using updated rosters that include current coaches, their tendencies, and their playbooks, it's possible to simulate entire seasons. With the game’s conference realignment features, it is possible to change around some cross-division rivalries and add a championship game for the Big 12. The game’s conference realignment features allow adjusting cross-division rivalries and adding a championship game for the Big 12.
Gameplay Enhancements in NCAA Football 14
NCAA Football 14 introduced several key gameplay enhancements, focusing on realism, control, and strategic depth. The Infinity Engine 2 played a huge role in how NCAA 14 plays compared to previous entries. The running game saw a significant upgrade, with running backs capable of making sharp cuts and improved blocking mechanics.
Upgraded Option Game
NCAA Football 14 featured an upgraded option game with 31 different concepts, including various veer options, shotgun full triple options, and shovel options. A new mechanic for option pass plays was also introduced. A new spread option playbook included more than 20 new offensive formations and over 350 plays.
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Infinity Engine and Impact Force Engine
The game featured real-time physics with the New Infinity Engine and New Impact Force Engine. Locomotion improvements enhanced cutting and momentum.
Revamped Open Field Targeting
Blocking saw significant improvements with revamped "open field targeting."
Enhanced Ball Carrier Control
Additional focus was given to the runner, with new animations and dynamics while running the football, including an enhanced trucking and stiff arm system. The game also featured ball carrier avoidance, allowing running backs to feel their way through and around their own linemen to avoid unnecessary contact.
Speed Burst System
A new speed burst system replaced the sprint button, allowing runners to burst through holes and reach top-end speed more quickly. The speed is no longer influenced by the sprint button anymore. Runners also have an accumulative fatigue meter and a stumble recovery system.
Pre-Snap Adjustments
Pre-snap adjustments were modified, mapping some adjustments to the controller’s buttons.
Read also: Crafting Your NCAA Profile
Season Mode
NCAA 14 offers up a Season mode. Here you can pick your favourite team and run through an entire season. This mode features full play by play with Brad and Kirk. Rece Davis also provides some of the around the college football world updates. Season mode lacks scouting, pitch grades, and recruiting enhancements.
Passing Game Overhaul
Last year, NCAA overhauled its passing game.
Additional Gameplay Nuances
Dive tackles now jar the ball carrier appropriately. Players can use a stumble recovery system (while running) to active stumble recovery. Developed a new acceleration system. The option works in NCAA 14.
Improved Blocking and AI
Linemen get to the second level more effectively. To help the runner regain his balance if he's tripped up. Linemen get to the second level more effectively.
Community Rosters
Thanks to some heroes who are out there updating the rosters before every season, the game is much more alive than you might think.
Read also: The Return of College Football Gaming
Simulated Season Results
The following results are from a simulated season using NCAA Football 14.
ACC
Virginia Tech takes full advantage of not having the Tigers on their schedule and equal Clemson’s 11-1 record. Miami bounces back from an embarrassing week one loss against Florida and knocks off Virginia Tech in conference play. Boston College loses to the Hokies in week one before falling to Kansas in non-conference play. Clemson gets shocked by FSU, 31-30, in a game that cools Willie Taggart’s seat in an otherwise disappointing 7-5 season. Mack Brown struggles to a 5-7 record in his first year back in the ACC.
Atlantic
- Clemson (11-1)
- Boston College (9-3)
- Syracuse (7-5)
- Florida State (7-5)
Coastal
- Miami (10-2)
- Virginia Tech (11-1)
- Pitt (8-4)
- Georgia Tech (7-5)
ACC Championship
Clemson 34 - Miami 24
Relevant Seasons
- Ryan Willis, Va Tech (235/380, 3275 yds, 30 TD, 8 INT)
- AJ Dillon, Boston College (1643 yds, 5,9 ypc, 14 TD)
- Haise Dubois, Virginia (83 rec, 1135 yds, 9 TD)
Big 10
Nebraska starts the season with early losses to Colorado and South Alabama before rolling through conference play at 7-2. Purdue loses to TCU before going through conference play at 8-1. Ohio State discovers that interest was higher than expected for the loan they took out on their dignity and karma by allowing Urban Meyer to coach in 2018. Payback is painful as the Buckeyes finish 8-4. Jim Harbaugh takes the best offer he can find and bolts for the CFL.
East
- Michigan St (9-3)
- Ohio St (8-4)
- Michigan (7-5)
- Penn St (6-6)
West
- Purdue (10-2)
- Nebraska (8-4)
- Northwestern (7-5)
- Wisconsin (8-4)
- Minnesota (8-4)
BIG 10 Championship
Michigan St 21 - Purdue 39
Relevant Seasons
- Elijah Sindelar, Purdue (290/475 3933 yds, 39 TD/8 INT)
- Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin (1912 yds, 6.8 ypc, 9 TD)
- Rondale Moore, Purdue (108 rec, 1503 yds, 19 TD)
Big 12
Kansas loses their first two games to Indiana State and Coastal Carolina before upsetting Boston College and going on a 6-3 run in conference play. The Longhorns lay a giant egg after a preseason full of high expectations, getting beat by 22 points against LSU in Week 2 before losing four straight in October and November to Oklahoma, TCU, Kansas and West Virginia. Oklahoma has its third straight 11-1 regular season.
- Oklahoma (11-1)
- Kansas (8-4)
- West Virginia (6-6)
- Texas (7-5)
- Oklahoma State (7-5)
Big 12 Championship Game
Oklahoma 38 - Kansas 37 (2 OT)
Notable Seasons
- Brock Purdy, Iowa St (180/343 2744 yds, 18 TD/14 INT)
- Pooka Williams Jr. Kansas (1351 yds, 5.8 ypc, 13 TD)
- TJ Vasher, Texas Tech (68 rec, 854 yds, 10 TD)
PAC-12
Stanford rolls in angry after a Week 1 loss to Northwestern, and runs the table in conference. The Cardinal lose their shot at a playoff spot in a loss to Notre Dame the last week of the regular season. UCLA’s wide-open offense becomes the hot thing with SoCal high-schoolers after USC goes 6-6 and fires Clay Helton. Khalil Tate got his groove back.
North
- Stanford (10-2)
- Oregon (7-5)
- Washington (8-4)
- Washington State (7-5)
South
- UCLA (8-4)
- Utah (9-3)
- Arizona (9-3)
- Colorado (6-6)
PAC-10 Championship Game
UCLA 28 - Stanford 24
Notable Seasons
- Jacob Eason, Washington (200/381 3125 yds, 29 TD/8 INT)
- Joshua Kelley, UCLA (1567 yds, 5.6 ypc, 12 TD)
- Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado (96 rec, 1503 yds, 16 TD)
SEC
In mid-October, the Hogs deliver the SEC’s most-shocking score of this century, and turn the playoff race on its head. Arkansas 27 - Alabama 3. The Tide still goes 10-2 with a 38-31 loss to Texas A&M. The Aggies, at 10-2 with losses to Clemson in non-conference play and Georgia in November, become the new West Division champs. Malzahn loses his job after going 5-7. Jeremy Pruitt fails to inspire hope as Tennessee endures a 6-6 season that includes a loss to BYU by 16 points, and finishes with a disappointing defeat to 3-9 Vanderbilt.
East
- Georgia (10-2)
- South Carolina (9-3)
- Florida (8-4)
- Missouri (7-5)
West
- Texas A&M (10-2)
- Alabama (10-2)
- Mississippi State (9-3)
- LSU (8-4)
SEC Championship Game
Georgia 35 - Texas A&M 31
Notable Seasons
- Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama (263/413 3592 yds, 34 TD/4 INT)
- Larry Rountree III (1393 yds, 5.5 ypc, 15 TD)
- Jhamon Ausbon, Texas A&M (79 rec, 1241 yds, 16 TD)
Heisman
- Winner - Travis Etienne (RB, Clemson) 1619 yards/6.2 ypc 20 TD’s, 610 receiving yards/6 TD’s
- D’Andre Swift (RB, Georgia) 1931 yards/6.6 ypc 13 TD’s 584 receiving yards/5 TD’s
- Jalen Hurts 220/463 3,104 yards 30 TD/17 INT, 1,028 rushing yards/11 TD’s
- Zack Moss (Utah) 1,824 yards/6 ypc 17 TD’s, 285 receiving yards/1 TD
- Khalil Tate 259/432 3,690 yards 36 TD/7 INT, 875 rushing yards/13 TD’s
Other Awards
- Maxwell - Khalil Tate (QB, Arizona
- Walter Camp - Travis Etienne (RB, Clemson
- Bednarik - Josh Metellus (SS, Michigan)
- Nagurski - Benning Potoa’e (OLB, Washington)
- O’Brien - Khalil Tate (QB, Arizona)
- Doak Walker - Travis Etienne, Clemson)
- Biletnikoff - Davontavean Martin (WR, Washington St)
- Mackey - Miller Forristall (TE, Alabama)
- Outland - John Simpson (OG, Clemson)
- Rimington - Sean Pollard (C, Clemson)
- Lombardi - Emmanuel Belmar (DE, Clemson)
- Thorpe - Marcelino Ball (SS, Indiana)
- Groza - J.J. Jolson (K, UCLA)
- Ray Guy- Tommy Townsend (P, Florida)
College Football Playoff
Two loss Georgia, with a thirteenth data point, gets the nod for the #3 spot over the idol Hokies despite the second loss. The Hokies, at #4, get in ahead of #5 Alabama and 9-3 #6 Notre Dame.
Semifinal #1 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
#2 Oklahoma 21 - #3 Georgia 38
Semifinal #2 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl
#1 Clemson 31 - #4 Virginia Tech 27
tags: #ncaa #football #14 #gameplay #features
