NCAA Football 08 Patch: Game Changer?

If you don’t know by now there’s a patch for NCAA 07. All you have to do is load NCAA 07 and it will ask you if you want to update the game.

What did it patch?
Like other patches from EA, it’s all a bit murky what the patch does. While other sites claim this fixes the turnover problem let’s do a quick run down to see if the turnover issues are truly fixed.

Interceptions: Improved but not fixed.
Interceptions were much more of a problem when the CPU was passing. Defenders on the human controlled team would intercept an unrealistically high numbers. If you played as Ohio State, USC, Texas or any team with good defensive backs, the game was ruined because of the amount of turnovers in every game. The game was better if you took a middle ranking team.

The patch seems to tone down the amount of interception but it’s still too high. It seems defenders need to look at the ball to jump for the interception.

The culprit of CPU thrown interceptions is the quarterback AI. And that hasn’t been fixed. Far too many times, the CPU QB makes a really bad string of passed that leads to 4 or more interceptions a half.

Fumbles: Fixed
I didn’t see any of the cheap fumbles that existed pre-patch. Also the number of fumbles caused by the ground have been reduced drastically.

Super Jump Linebackers: Not fixed
Linebackers are still able to pick off bullet passes over the middle. And they are able to make super jumps to pick off passes intended for receivers 10-15 yards behind them.

DBs not magically knowing pass routes: Fixed
Before a DB could jump a route and position himself in an unrealistic way.

Passing Trajectory and Passing Touch: Improved but not fixed.
You are able to put more loft on certain passes so they will go over the shoulder of your WR and aren’t so easy to knockdown by the DB. Over the middle passes are still too low.

You can also lead receivers better to the point of overthrowing your receiver.

There are times when you try to lead a receiver and the ball is thrown not where you wanted it but instead is thrown at a defender. This happens for both the CPU and Hum teams.

Verdict:
This patch does improve certain parts of the game. The changes are subtle and if you go into it expecting to see a tad fewer turnovers accompanied with some of the stupid EA Sports tendencies you’ll be able to enjoy NCAA again. If you are expecting a brand new game you will be disappointed.