I just got done downloading the NCAA 10 demo for XBOX 360 and here’s a stream of notes as I play my first game of the year.

Gator Heavy QB Blast is Unstoppable AND it sets up the fake lob pass

• Florida is A+, A+, A+ I don’t remember any team earning three A+s.
• The demo rematches Florida versus Oklahoma (A+, A+, A). From 1,000 miles away I hear Billy Sims yelling BOOMMAH, so Sooners it is.
• I’m no pussy and am playing this game on Heisman so when I win they can just immediately change the record books.
• The band on the field marching around during the coin toss is one of those niceties missing from last year’s edition.
• First new feature encountered is offensive and defensive game plans. Uhh score a lot of points on offense and don’t give up any on defense…
• On further evaluation it’s actually pretty cool. You can actually pick to conservative, normal or aggressive styles of play for different parts of your offensive (get open, holding blocks, impact blocks, catching, big run) and defensive (big hits, strip ball, zone coverage, defensive line, pass defense and option defense) strategies. I’m going double aggressive across the board as Tebow and Spikes only respect being punched in the face.
• I immediately try to pump up the defense and it seems clicking left joystick reverse the camera angle, so you are looking behind the defense. It is awesome.
• Tebow fumbles on the first play of the game, an option play.
• The passing is much smoother. The ball glides through the air and the camera follows it at a better angle.
• Touchdown Sooners.
• Second fumble by Florida. God damn Gators does Meyer have to choke-a-bitch?
• Flipping the camera on defense is very nice when you want to blitz, because you can find the holes in the offensive line and sneak through. However, once the ball is in the air you are screwed.
• Braford is picked. Still getting used to the new passing.
• So not only does clicking left joystick flip the camera angle, but it does a “player lock”. So it’s not just used for blitzing, but you can use a corner or safety to play the pass. When a players on defense is locked they automatically strafe and backpedal. Niiiiccceee.
• When the player you’ve locked on defense is aligned to the weak side of the formation the camera actually rotates down the line so you can see the whole play.
• Maybe because the game is at a neutral site, but I think the pump up the crowd is automatic.
• Tebow cannot convert a 3rd and 1.
• Bradford is a lot faster than he should be.
• Another Bradford pick with :35s left in the half, no chance at going up 14-0.
• Florida hit a 55 yard field goal to close in 3-7 at the half.
• Where is Erin Andrews?
• Screens are still broken.
• Turnover on downs, Gator defense is HONgrey.
• Another 3-n-out by Florida.
• Big 20 yard pass by Bradford to end the 3rd quarter, of fuck he’s injured.
• DeMarco Murray blows, he isn’t even capable of running out the clock.
• Punt pins Florida at the 3 yard line, Tebow magic? I think not.
• Tebow drove ‘em down to the 30 before throwing a pick.
• 1-0
• OK now to play as Tebow and just truck digital bitches.

From the little bit of the game I played I really like what’s been developed by EA over the last year. I’m anxious to see how player lock works when your playing a human opponent locally (on the same TV). I really like how the game play is smoother while being more realistic. Perhaps we should get a bloggers dynasty together? July 14th cannot come soon enough.