NCAA Football 08

The money might not be legal, but the brutal hits certainly are. Read our first preview of NCAA 08.

NCAA licensing rules and regulations are tuned to shield active, individual players from product endorsements, but NCAA 08 College Football is making moves to keep personality and individual heroics an important part of its game.

That actually begins with the selection of Jared Zabransky, quarterback for the Boise State Broncos as the cover athlete. Zabransky graduated the (almost) unsung hero of an unsung and undefeated team that executed an amazing 43-42 overtime one-for-the-ages victory in the Fiesta Bowl over the celebrated Oklahoma Sooners.

It's a toss up...

It's a toss up...

Motivating Factors

NCAA 08 is embracing such game day heroics in some key features, too. Consistent play-making with any player on the field can turn the tide of the game. The bigger the plays, the bigger the motivation boost and the better your player performs. His play will even give your entire team a shot in the arm. Of course, if you blow a big play, your team's going to feel the effects.

Last year you could save snapshots of key moments; this year, you'll also be able to record highlight video. EA Sports plans to make it possible to upload your replays for grading by other NCAA 08 fans. Moreover, you'll be able to win and display classic college rivalry trophies such as the California-Stanford Axe and the Little Brown Jug from the Michigan-Minnesota series.

Additionally you'll shine your college football star in high school. Campus Legend mode will enable you to play through a high school football tournament. After the last game, college scouts evaluate you, and if you've done well enough, the offers start rolling in.

Props to EA Sports for acknowledging college football heroics, especially the "Z" man and the deserving Boise State Broncos. There's no way of knowing what the future holds for them, but NCAA 08 sure feels like it's headed for a winning season.

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