NCAA Football 14 Preview

* I am not a video game blogger or writer. I decided to write about the new NCAA Football game because it's the exclusive college football video game. Please bare with me on this video game preview.

On July 9, EA Sports' NCAA Foootball 14 drops. NCAA Football has been a huge seller for EA Sports since its inception. This year they look to have their best one yet.

After playing many games on the demo, which was released June 18, I can say that this is definitely going to be a fun game to play. With updated uniforms, physic system, animations and cut scenes this game should be a step above all the previous NCAA Football games.

In the demo, which you can download on your console, you can play three different games. Ohio State vs Michigan, Alabama vs Virginia Tech and Oregon vs Texas A&M. All matchups will actually occur this season, like Alabama vs Virginia Tech in week one.

They can't use actual player names, although once the game is out you will be able to download rosters from the internet, so in the demo it generates fake names. It's kind of weird to see Johnny Manziel or Marcus Mariota have a different name, but it doesn't hurt the game play.

No game is perfect, and obviously this one has flaws like any other. One big gripe is that if a defensive player is playing a zone defense, if the quarterback starts to scramble the defensive player won't leave his zone to take down the QB. Kind of aggravating when Braxton Miller is chugging down the field and you watch Jake Ryan just standing and watching.

I'm sure this issue, among any others will be addressed by EA, and hopefully a patch will be released soon after launch.

After playing all three games several times, I have noticed many different cut scenes, tackle animations and more. I also don't feel like I've had the same game over and over. Each game is a new task. I've won games 49-0 and I've squeaked by 31-28.

The option works a little better as does the stiff arm. There is also a new feature where you can make the ball carrier accelerate, but only for a limited time depending on their stamina. Something to make the game even more realistic.

If you are a college football fan and a video gamer, this is definitely worth a pick up. I am very impressed with this game, and have only played the demo. There are other modes in the actual game, but we won't be able to see how those play out until the game is officially released.

NCAA Football 14 comes out on July 9. You'll be able to pick it up at GameStop, Best Buy, Wal-Mart or many other retailers.

- Matt Lytle

@mattlytle

matt.projectcfb@gmail.com

Can Virginia Tech Win the ACC Championship in 2013?

Coming off a disappointing 2012 campaign, head coach Frank Beamer and the Virginia Tech Hokies look to have a bounce back season in 2013 and make a run at the ACC Coastal Division crown and an ACC Championship in 2013. The Hokies, who prior to 2012 had a streak of 14 seasons of 8 or more wins, had a 7-6 2012 campaign, which culminated in a 13-10 overtime victory over Rutgers in the Russell Athletic Bowl.

Going into 2013 the Hokies are led by extremely talented, yet extremely eratic quarterback, Logan Thomas. Thomas had a very up and down 2012 season, throwing for close to 3,000 yards and 18 touchdown passes, to go along with 524 rushing yards, and 9 rushing touchdowns, including a 73 yarder against Miami. But he also threw 16 interceptions and completed only 51.3% of his passes. The Hokies rushing attack is slated to be lead by sophomore tailback J.C Coleman who rushed for close to 500 yards and scored 2 touchdowns as a freshmen. Senior Tony Gregory will also be looking to contribute on the ground as well. Unfortunately, Thomas lost his top 2 receiving options in Corey Fuller and Marcus Davis, the top leading option in the passing game returning is sophomore Demitri Knowles who hauled in 19 passes for 240 yards. including a 42 yard touchdown. The Hokies also bring back tight end Ryan Malleck who hauled in 17 passes for a mere 128 yards. Virginia Tech will be mainly relying on young players at the wide receiver position to step up and fill the void on the outside.

On the defensive side of the ball, leading tackler Jack Tyler looks to lead the Hokies defensive unit along with fellow linebacker Kyshoen Jarrett who was 2nd on the team in tackles.The defensive backfield is expected to be led by cornerbacks Detrick Bonner and Kyle Fuller. The defense, historically has been a strong point of Beamer's teams has an up and down season in 2012 but by the end of the season the unit was among the better units in major college football.

From a schedule standpoint, the Hokies could not start the season with a bigger test. They open the season with two time defending national champion Alabama in a nationally televised night game. After facing the Tide, the Hokies take on Western Carolina in the home opener on September 7th and then face East Carolina on September 14th and Marshall on the 14th of September before opening ACC play with a road trip to Bobby Dodd Stadium to take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on September 26th. After facing the Yellow Jackets, the Hokies wont leave Lane Stadium for he entire month of October as they host North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Duke before hitting the road to take on Boston College on November 2nd. After facing the Eagles, the Hokies will head down south to take on the Miami Hurricanes before hosting Maryland in the home finale. The Hokies finish the season with cross state rival Virginia on November 30th.

If the Hokies have any hopes of making a run at an ACC championship Thomas needs to have a season similar to his sophomore season where he completed close to 60% of his passes and threw 6 less interceptions than 2012. If Gregory and Coleman can produce on the ground, it should make things a little easier on Thomas in the passing game who in 2011 had 2011 ACC offensive player of the year in the backfield with him in running back David Wilson  who single handedly out produced the entire Hokies backfield in 2012 on his own in 2011. Logan Thomas has all the physical tools to be a dominant player in the ACC this season and potentially be in consideration for the Heisman Trophy in 2013. This might sound a little crazy especially considering his inconstancy as a passer over the last 2 seasons, but when he is on his game, he is as good as any quarterback in the country, if he can string together a few strong performances through the air and on the ground, he can bring the Hokies back into the forefront of the ACC. However, if he will remains to be seen. Especially with their two biggest tests in the ACC in my eyes coming on the road in Georgia Tech and Miami respectively. If Thomas and the young talent around him play up to their potential, I could at the very least see Beamer back into the discussion as the best team in the ACC in 2013.

- Josh Gamez

@itsjoshgamez

josh.projectcfb@gmail.com

#10 Florida State Seminoles at Virginia Tech Hokies Preview

Virginia Tech started their season out 2-0. The season looked promising. However, their current record is 4-5. The Hokies need two more wins to at least become bowl eligible, and this Saturday, they take on the #10 ranked Florida State Seminoles.

EJ Manuel looks to lead FSU to a 9-1 record

The Seminoles are led by their senior quarterback EJ Manuel. Manuel has had an impressive season thus far, going 161/230 for 2,315 yards and throwing 16 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. He has also rushed for over 200 yards and scored one rushing touchdown. Not a great rushing showing, but he's gotten it done through the air, why risk injury scrambling?

Manuel has two very capable options at wide receiver in Kelvin Benjamin and Rodney Smith. Both with over 20 receptions for over 400 yards this season. Benjamin has reeled in four touchdown catches while Smith has caught three.

Logan Thomas hopes for the upset on Saturday.

As far as Virginia Tech goes, they are led by Logan Thomas. Logan had a lot of hype at the beginning of the season. His numbers aren't terrible this year, but he lacks control needed to be an elite quarterback. He has thrown 152 passes for 2,109 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 12 picks. His wide receivers Marcus Davis and Corey Fuller have both reeled in over 500 yards and four touchdowns a piece.

The teams obviously aren't all about their quarterbacks, or their passing game. Florida State is currently ranked 14th in rushing yards while Virginia Tech is ranked 60th. The Hokies lack greatly in the rushing game compared to the Seminoles, with Seminoles running back Chris Thompson almost doubling JC Coleman's rushing total for the season (687 yards to 361).

Defense is another thing that the Seminoles are leading Virginia Tech in. In the category of points for and points against, Florida State is ranked third in each. Virginia Tech is 70th and 52nd. Things aren't looking good for the Hokies.

For Virginia Tech to win this game, which will be played in Lane Stadium, Logan Thomas, his receivers, and JC Coleman are all going to have to step up big time, along with the defense. Florida State is favored in this game, and I can see exactly why. Florida State has the better team, hands down. But upsets can always happen. And with Virginia Tech having home field advantage, you never know what's going to happen.

Florida State is coming into this game 8-1 in the season. Odds are, they'll leave Lane Stadium 9-1, but never say never. Stranger things have happened in the sport of college football. That's why it's the best sport in the world!

- Matt Lytle

@mattlytle