CMU-Georgia: What NCAA Football 09 is saying

Before we get into our first NCAA Football 09 simulation, it's important to note a couple of things:

1) If you haven't played the Xbox 360 version of this game (the one used for the sim), the AI tends to throw interceptions. A lot. The first sim I did on this game, both quarterbacks had four picks by the third quarter and very few of them were realistic. So I redid the sim with better AI control on interceptions.

2) The game's ratings are based mainly on preseason projections. Georgia's rated 99 across the board, and CMU's ratings, for some reason, are lower than that of Ball State's and Western Michigan's. Furthermore, for those new to NCAA Football video games, none of the following players' names are actually in the game because of NCAA rules, but their numbers and ratings are represented. (For example, CMU's Dan LeFevour is "QB #13" in the game)

NCAA Football 09 is a very good game that I recommend you at least renting, though. It does provide a realistic experience, particularly for the purpose of simming games, like what I'm doing now.

We saw a lot of this in NCAA Football 09's sim of CMU-Georgia.

GEORGIA VS. CENTRAL MICHIGAN: HOW NCAA 09 SEES IT HAPPENING

CMU starts the game with two three-and-outs, both of which led to big touchdown plays by the Bulldogs: a 52-yard passing strike from quarterback Matthew Stafford to wide receiver Kenneth Harris and a 64-yard touchdown run by tailback Knowshon Moreno. Quick 14-0 lead for Georgia.

The Chippewas eventually respond with a 74-yard drive that ends in a 23-yard field goal by Andrew Aguila. After that, they force Georgia to punt for the first time, but proceed to fumble in their territory to set up a 13-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to receiver Mohamed Massaquoi. 

END OF 1ST QUARTER: GEORGIA 21, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 3

CMU does make it a one-possession game midway through the second quarter. A two-yard touchdown rush by Ontario Sneed makes it 21-10, then after a Georgia punt, CMU drives into Bulldog territory and completes a field goal to make it 21-13. But the Bulldogs finish the half with a Blair Walsh 37-yard field goal to extend their lead to 11.

END OF 2ND QUARTER: GEORGIA 24, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 13

Georgia, starting with its opening drive of the 2nd half, begins to pull away. A touchdown pass from Stafford to tight end Tripp Chandler makes it 31-13, then a quick LeFevour interception sets the Bulldogs up for the second touchdown, a two-yard run from Moreno. They miss the extra point to leave the score at 37-13.

The two teams exchange punts before Stafford completes a 52-yard touchdown pass to Chandler to make the score 44-13. CMU ends the quarter with virtually no offensive momentum.

END OF 3RD QUARTER: GEORGIA 44, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 13

CMU misses a field goal near the start of the fourth quarter, a 52-yarder. Georgia responds with a 4-yard rushing touchdown from tailback Caleb King, increasing the team's lead to 51-13. Sneed responds with a spectacular 79-yard touchdown run to shorten that to 51-20 before the Bulldogs hit a 35-yard field goal the following drive. With the game all but over, LeFevour throws a 26-yard touchdown strike to receiver Antonio Brown to end scoring.

FINAL: GEORGIA 54, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 27

Some stat lines from the game:

Dan LeFevour: 19-for-39, 293 yards, TD, INT ... also 19 carries, 44 yards

Ontario Sneed: 29 carries, 204 yards, 2 TD

Bryan Anderson: 6 receptions, 99 yards

Antonio Brown: 5 receptions, 101 yards, TD

Nick Bellore: 7 tackles

Matthew Stafford: 14-for-25, 258 yards, 4 TD

Knowshon Moreno: 18 carries, 176 yards 2 TD

Kenneth Harris: 6 receptions, 143 yards, TD

Mohamed Massaquoi: 3 receptions, 56 yards

REACTION: Not bad for a video game sim, which usually has things that need tweaking. Ontario Sneed had a huge game, though many of his yards came from a 79-yard touchdown rush when the game was virtually over. All the other totals look pretty realistic, including the final score.

This being the first week of the NCAA Football 09 prediction, it'll be interesting to see just how close the simulation was. If it goes too poorly, I'll refrain from doing this again. Be sure to leave feedback!