EA took visuals seriously this year, as the game looks great on all accounts. The players are finally varied in size and definition so now your linemen have those big bellies, your wide outs are skinny, and your QBs are a nice mix in between. EA has even incorporated a new collision detection engine so you no longer have to bear witness to players going through each other. There is even some side line activity, but alas no line judges to be found nor refs on the field. Stadiums are cathedral like with brilliant lighting, fan movement, and correct architecture for the big stadiums. It would have been nice to see the field become chewed up during wet or snowy days, but what we do get this season looks great and finally runs at a very smooth frame rate to boot.

Play by play is still a bit iffy. Sure the calls on the field are made correctly, but the timing is so five years ago and lags behind more often than not. While the commentators do show some emotion, it is nothing like the deafening sounds of a wild crowd during a home game. I can honestly say this goes down as some of the loudest crowd noise I've experienced in a sports title and make the atmosphere that much more energetic. Let's not forget about the sound effects, with helmets clashing, players grunting, and the sound of the pigskin being booted through the uprights is something to close your eyes and enjoy if you are a fan of football.

What good is a game if the gameplay itself tanks? Fear not gamers, as EA has listened to your pleas and has delivered the goods in controls and speed for this year's NCAA title. The game is easily twice as fast as last year's game which makes for much more riveting contests. Not only that, but the game finally feels as if there is momentum in the players thanks to the new collision detection and animations. Now you can juke, make one handed grabs, and dive for the end zone with great pleasure as this finally feels like football. Even the A.I. has stepped up its game as it seems to learn your tendencies not only throughout the game, but during the season as well.

New enhancements in game play modes have made for a better year of college ball as well. Especially in the Campus Legend Mode which allows you to take hold of one player and try to make them one of the all time greats of the game. You start off in high school and play 4 big games in front of scouts and from your performance determines who wants to not only sign you, but what string on the roster you will play. You can even choose to leave early and join the NFL if you feel you have nothing left to prove. Last year the camera on certain positions was a bear to play with, but thankfully this year, you should have no issues with the cameras as the positioning is greatly improved.

Dynasty mode is back and there are new options such as Leadership control, developing your player's personal ratings to influence plays on the field, and enhanced recruiting allows you to hone in on your incoming players and even critical mistakes in judgment can damage your coaching credentials.

Online mode returns and while not really touched much from last year, you do get forecast weather analysis which happens in real time brought to you by the Weather Channel. Now whereever the home game is played, the actual real time weather will be implemented in your online game. Of course you can still relive highlights and take photos and even upload them to your PC and show them off on the EA website.

All this rounds off a solid playing, looking, and deep football title that should keep you playing longer than the kids do this year. I only expect this to be topped by Madden, but if you are a fan of the college game and not the pros, you may not care about waiting. It's nice to see such a strong effort come forth from EA and I only hope they keep this kind of intensity in the future with their other franchises as well. NCAA Football 08 is a must buy for any fan of the grid iron.