NCAA 13 is only a few months around the corner. Now, while it isn’t as popular as its EA Sports counterpart, Madden, NCAA is still an awesome game. What Madden lacks in gameplay and originality, NCAA makes up for. Now don’t get offended, I like Madden too, but in my opinion, NCAA is just a far better game. Ever since the Next-gen switch, the NCAA development team has seemed to use their time wisely. This may be one of the first years I don’t play Madden due to the blunder that was Madden 12.

With that mini rant out of the way, here’s just some of what EA has released about the upcoming NCAA 13:

400+ new catching animations

All new passing trajectories. Possibly one of my favorite new features as more of a passer than a runner. I always wanted to be able to put it where my receiver could make a play, or no play would be made. Sadly, that didn’t always happen, resulting in more interceptions than I would have liked, but I chalk it up as learning experience. With the addition of trajectories, now you’re able to put the ball in the best place for your receiver to make a play.

New audio from actual team crowds allowing you to experience the gridiron like never before. 24 new school chants added. Teams include: Florida State, Oregon State, WVU, Boise St., UGA, Pitt, Penn St., and Notre Dame just to name a few.

New Progressive Lighting. Are you one of those people who notices that even after halftime, the lighting looks no different? Not anymore, the new progressive lighting allows for actual time lapse after each play.

New Defensive AI system, which is probably the best new feature so far. In previous years, DB’s would basically run stride for stride with your receiver, not look at the QB, know when the ball was thrown, and would easily be able to make a play that was 10-15 yards away. With the new defensive AI, the NCAA Dev. team hopes to change that with their new Read & React system. Basically, the defender has to see the ball to make a play on it, giving more significance to defender ratings other than the speed , big hit , and tackle ratings. This means that you’ll actually be able to use a playaction pass without worrying about being eaten up on 2nd & 2 by a blitz, and having every blitzer go straight for the QB. Pump fakes have also been revamped and can prove deadly when used at the right time.

, , and ratings. This means that you’ll actually be able to use a playaction pass without worrying about being eaten up on 2nd & 2 by a blitz, and having every blitzer go straight for the QB. Pump fakes have also been revamped and can prove deadly when used at the right time. Disguised coverage. Something that was on the PS2/XBOX version of Madden and NCAA was the ability to play zone, but have your DB line up on his corresponding receiver. That has returned, and for the first time, is on Next-gen.

These are just a few of the features that EA has released so far, but what great features they are. This makes for a more tactical and strategic game of NCAA, which most of us will like. As the QB, you’ll actually have to read the defense and make plays depending on what you’re opponent does and how he likes to play. NCAA seems to step it up every year, and this year is no different. NCAA 13 is released on July 10th, Pre-Order it NOW