Posted by majique on 10/2/2025 12:26:00 PM (view original):
Hey scooby, if you haven't watched the TTATO series, especially the ones here, I recommend checking them out. Some pretty well established coaches have come on the show and shared some insight to their success - as well as providing a tid-bit of "WTH" info. LOL. GL and keep asking questions, plenty of us here to help.

I think we've communicated before but it's been a few years. I've looked at a couple of the videos. It's nothing personal against those who do the videos, I'm just not the type to sit & watch a 20-30 min video. Id rather have it spelled out like in bullet points 'you need to do this, this & this'. I'm definitely a sports fan but I do the fantasy games & games like GD for fun. I don't enjoy spending hours breaking down every stat etc. Again, no offense to anyone. I know some are REALLY into the minute details. That's just not me typically.

Posted by scooby24210 on 10/3/2025 1:39:00 AM (view original):

Posted by majique on 10/2/2025 12:26:00 PM (view original):
Hey scooby, if you haven't watched the TTATO series, especially the ones here, I recommend checking them out. Some pretty well established coaches have come on the show and shared some insight to their success - as well as providing a tid-bit of "WTH" info. LOL. GL and keep asking questions, plenty of us here to help.

I think we've communicated before but it's been a few years. I've looked at a couple of the videos. It's nothing personal against those who do the videos, I'm just not the type to sit & watch a 20-30 min video. Id rather have it spelled out like in bullet points 'you need to do this, this & this'. I'm definitely a sports fan but I do the fantasy games & games like GD for fun. I don't enjoy spending hours breaking down every stat etc. Again, no offense to anyone. I know some are REALLY into the minute details. That's just not me typically.

No offense taken! I learned a long time ago different folks learn best via different methods. I'm like you - I dislike watching training videos. But I'll make em if it helps somebody. I prefer a road map on how to get from A to B, essentially a step by step method or process.

Scooby, I presume that we are talking about your JMU team in Heisman D1AA. If you are losing most of your recruiting battles against sim-coached teams, then here are some pointers:

1. Make sure that your search parameters specify that Projected Level = D1AA. Otherwise, you could be trying to land recruits that absolutely will not ever consider you.

2. There will be some D1-calibre recruits whom you can see in your D1AA search results. You can, and should, go after some of them. However, you have to be cautious not to spend too much $$$ on them until you are confident that no human-coached D1 team is going to be interested in them.

3. When you are battling against sim-coached teams, even though it's a sim, you still must pay attention to which school you are battling. If you are battling against another D1AA school then that recruiting battle will cost much less than if you are battling against a D1 school. And among the D1 schools, which conference the school is in also will determine how difficult and expensive the recruiting battle will be. Schools from the ACC, Big XII, Big Ten, Pac-10 and SEC (*and also the Big East) will be much more difficult and expensive to knock off than schools from C-USA, MAC, Sun Belt and WAC. *Big East teams might be a little easier to knock off than the power conferences, but they're still much more difficult and expensive to knock off than schools from C-USA, MAC, Sun Belt and WAC.

If you have any specific questions, why don't you pick a veteran and sitemail them the questions. I'm sure most/all would be happy to answer them for you.

I'd just practice one O and one D.

"I do run 1 Off/Def most of the time (probably 85% or better). The only times I change it are when the opponent is running formations that I feel I need to make a change, like if someone runs all Trips. I also try to change it up at half time or for a particular game to catch the opponent off-guard. Otherwise I stick with my preferred formations."

Hold on, are you saying you use formations in a game that you don't practice? That almost assuredly won't work. I agree with the suggestion to pick one O and one D to practice and use in the game.

Posted by DeBeque on 10/3/2025 1:24:00 PM (view original):

I'd just practice one O and one D.

"I do run 1 Off/Def most of the time (probably 85% or better). The only times I change it are when the opponent is running formations that I feel I need to make a change, like if someone runs all Trips. I also try to change it up at half time or for a particular game to catch the opponent off-guard. Otherwise I stick with my preferred formations."

Hold on, are you saying you use formations in a game that you don't practice? That almost assuredly won't work. I agree with the suggestion to pick one O and one D to practice and use in the game.

Yup, have to agree! Practice increases formation IQ. The higher the formation IQ the better the execution.
xample: if you're practicing the 34 defense exclusively and let's say your starting defensive players' formation IQ has grown to the 80s - I think you'd be more effective against Trips staying with the 34 than switching to Dime that you never practice and the starting defensive players' formation IQ is so much lower due to lack of practice (ie in the e20s).

Posted by Armchair on 10/3/2025 1:54:00 PM (view original):
Scooby, I presume that we are talking about your JMU team in Heisman D1AA. If you are losing most of your recruiting battles against sim-coached teams, then here are some pointers:

1. Make sure that your search parameters specify that Projected Level = D1AA. Otherwise, you could be trying to land recruits that absolutely will not ever consider you.

2. There will be some D1-calibre recruits whom you can see in your D1AA search results. You can, and should, go after some of them. However, you have to be cautious not to spend too much $$$ on them until you are confident that no human-coached D1 team is going to be interested in them.

3. When you are battling against sim-coached teams, even though it's a sim, you still must pay attention to which school you are battling. If you are battling against another D1AA school then that recruiting battle will cost much less than if you are battling against a D1 school. And among the D1 schools, which conference the school is in also will determine how difficult and expensive the recruiting battle will be. Schools from the ACC, Big XII, Big Ten, Pac-10 and SEC (*and also the Big East) will be much more difficult and expensive to knock off than schools from C-USA, MAC, Sun Belt and WAC. *Big East teams might be a little easier to knock off than the power conferences, but they're still much more difficult and expensive to knock off than schools from C-USA, MAC, Sun Belt and WAC.

I do make sure that, at least for the most part, I'm only going after D1AA guys. I'll go after one that may think they're D1 caliber but the report typically says they'll wind up in AA. I definitely try to spend as little as I feel I can afford or is necessary. Maybe I'm spending too much on the front end, before guys can sign or maybe not enough, I really don't know.

Posted by bhouska on 10/3/2025 9:35:00 AM (view original):
If you have any specific questions, why don't you pick a veteran and sitemail them the questions. I'm sure most/all would be happy to answer them for you.

Yea I've reached out to several coaches, especially in the last 2-3 years. I certainly appreciate any insight they have provided but, so far, I feel like I've gotten better specific feedback from my post here.

Posted by DeBeque on 10/3/2025 1:24:00 PM (view original):

I'd just practice one O and one D.

"I do run 1 Off/Def most of the time (probably 85% or better). The only times I change it are when the opponent is running formations that I feel I need to make a change, like if someone runs all Trips. I also try to change it up at half time or for a particular game to catch the opponent off-guard. Otherwise I stick with my preferred formations."

Hold on, are you saying you use formations in a game that you don't practice? That almost assuredly won't work. I agree with the suggestion to pick one O and one D to practice and use in the game.

I've done a little of both, running one O & D & running 2, depending on the opponents formation. I used to practice & run 2 a lot more but rarely do it now but I will practice a few minutes in a second formation. The only time I tend to run another formation is if I'm trailing & feel that I need to go to more of a passing game to try to get back into the game. In the last few seasons though, I've run almost exclusively 1 Off & Def but, if it's a heavy passing team, I might run my base DEF & Nickel. I've definitely moved away from using 2 formations a LOT less than I used to.

Just wanted to say thanks to all those who have given some insight. I plan to make some changes but, it also depends on how I do in recruiting. I upped the ratings when I did my initial searches so, hopefully that will help. Only thing is, I've got 13 scholarships but only 5 scouting trips came back H or VH & with no human looking at them too. So, I might not have much better luck with signings. Fingers crossed though.

The Jimmy’s and the Joe’s is more important than the X’s and O’s. It takes time, but you have to build a competitive roster. Focus on players in your 180 and 360 radius. As part of that build, you may have to take mostly average recruits. Also, it’s far better to take a low potential recruit with a high rating over any player that the SIM gives you. Over time your recruiting vision will improve (unless you’re over scheduling) and your talent level will increase. Try to avoid players with a work ethic rating below 40.

"I do make sure that, at least for the most part, I'm only going after D1AA guys. I'll go after one that may think they're D1 caliber but the report typically says they'll wind up in AA."
The scouting report you mention is useful only as a gauge of how expensive it will be to sign the guy. The way to be certain you are recruiting guys you could get is by searching only for guys in your Division. If a guy shows up in that search, you could sign him regardless of what the scouting report says.

" I upped the ratings when I did my initial searches so, hopefully that will help."
If you mean the screens like "Athleticism greater than or equal to __" , those only prevent players from appearing in your search. Therefore, they might cause you to miss out on a useful player who has one attribute just below the threshold you set. They won't bring in a useful player that you would otherwise not see. For example, if you set WE to 40, you wouldn't even see a great player whose WE was 39. I doubt that many top coaches use those screens at all.

Posted by scooby24210 on 10/9/2025 9:46:00 PM (view original):

Posted by DeBeque on 10/3/2025 1:24:00 PM (view original):

I'd just practice one O and one D.

"I do run 1 Off/Def most of the time (probably 85% or better). The only times I change it are when the opponent is running formations that I feel I need to make a change, like if someone runs all Trips. I also try to change it up at half time or for a particular game to catch the opponent off-guard. Otherwise I stick with my preferred formations."

Hold on, are you saying you use formations in a game that you don't practice? That almost assuredly won't work. I agree with the suggestion to pick one O and one D to practice and use in the game.

I've done a little of both, running one O & D & running 2, depending on the opponents formation. I used to practice & run 2 a lot more but rarely do it now but I will practice a few minutes in a second formation. The only time I tend to run another formation is if I'm trailing & feel that I need to go to more of a passing game to try to get back into the game. In the last few seasons though, I've run almost exclusively 1 Off & Def but, if it's a heavy passing team, I might run my base DEF & Nickel. I've definitely moved away from using 2 formations a LOT less than I used to.

Do not practice more than one formation on Offense. Do not practice more than one formation on Defense. Do not run a formation on offense or defense that you haven't practiced. These are absolutes as the game is currently structured.

Posted by ksparks on 10/13/2025 11:14:00 PM (view original):
The Jimmy’s and the Joe’s is more important than the X’s and O’s. It takes time, but you have to build a competitive roster. Focus on players in your 180 and 360 radius. As part of that build, you may have to take mostly average recruits. Also, it’s far better to take a low potential recruit with a high rating over any player that the SIM gives you. Over time your recruiting vision will improve (unless you’re over scheduling) and your talent level will increase. Try to avoid players with a work ethic rating below 40.

I know about sticking to my 360. I do tend to go beyond that in my initial search sometimes. It just depends on how much money I have & how many guys I need to sign. Obviously, I go for H & VH guys if at all possible but, once those guys start signing, if Im not getting anywhere, I'll move to AVG guys. Unless I just have no other options, I don't let the game sign my last few guys. I'll take lower stat guys over an AI any time. Over scheduling was never a problem. If anything I used to have too weak of a schedule. I try to play at least 1 exhibition game against a solid human team & at least a couple humans in non-conference. I usually do set my WE to 40.

Posted by CoachSpud on 10/14/2025 12:27:00 PM (view original):
"I do make sure that, at least for the most part, I'm only going after D1AA guys. I'll go after one that may think they're D1 caliber but the report typically says they'll wind up in AA."
The scouting report you mention is useful only as a gauge of how expensive it will be to sign the guy. The way to be certain you are recruiting guys you could get is by searching only for guys in your Division. If a guy shows up in that search, you could sign him regardless of what the scouting report says.

" I upped the ratings when I did my initial searches so, hopefully that will help."
If you mean the screens like "Athleticism greater than or equal to __" , those only prevent players from appearing in your search. Therefore, they might cause you to miss out on a useful player who has one attribute just below the threshold you set. They won't bring in a useful player that you would otherwise not see. For example, if you set WE to 40, you wouldn't even see a great player whose WE was 39. I doubt that many top coaches use those screens at all.

Yea I know they prevent guys below the levels I set from appearing. That's what I'm looking for, guys who are at a minimum level in various skills, based on their position. I'll usually start out on the high side & then, if not many options appear, I'll adjust some stats down by 5 or so. I've always used those screens.