Building a 1-Star Team in Dynasty Mode

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Today's Game Changers blog comes to us from “Paakaa10,” site editor at Under the Code. Follow him on Twitter at @Paakaa10.

Veterans of the NCAA Football franchise know that every team begins a Dynasty with a Prestige rating, from 1-Star to 6-Star. The higher a team’s prestige is, the better and the better the program is overall. Perhaps the greatest challenge in NCAA Football 14 is to use one of 27 schools that have a 1-Star Prestige rating. I’m going to break down Top 5 Most Challenging 1-Star Teams to Rebuild in Dynasty Mode.

These five teams lack the exposure and resources enjoyed by most of the other 121 schools in the game, and it will take significant strides on the field in order to change how your program is perceived.

5. New Mexico Lobos – Mountain West Conference, Mountain Division

OVR: 65  OFF: 67  DEF: 66

The New Mexico Lobos are the lowest-rated team in every category in the Mountain West Conference. They’re also are the only team in the conference rated below 70 in all three primary ratings. New Mexico’s best recruiting pitch is a C+ in Conference Prestige—though it’s hard to know how well that pitch will go over if you stay in the conference cellar. The Lobos also struggle with D- pitch grades in multiple categories including Championship Contender and Television Exposure.

Positive Pitch Grades: Conference Prestige (C+), Academic Prestige (C)

Negative Pitch Grades: Championship Contender (D-), Television Exposure (D-), Stadium Atmosphere (D-), Program Tradition (D-)

4. Idaho Vandals – Division I Independents

OVR: 63  OFF: 67  DEF: 61

With the Western Athletic Conference now dissolved for football, Idaho spends the 2013 college football season as Division I Independents, and their team ratings have them at the bottom of the list of seven independent squads. Academic Prestige and Pro Potential are Idaho’s best pitches at C+ grades, while they have D- grades in multiple categories including Conference Prestige. Can you use their impending 2014 move to the Sun Belt Conference to help re-energize the program?

Positive Pitch Grades: Academic Prestige (C+), Pro Potential (C+)

Negative Pitch Grades: Conference Prestige (D-), Coach Prestige (D-), Championship Contender (D-)

3. Akron Zips – Mid-American Conference, East Division

OVR: 63  OFF: 61  DEF: 65

If not for the UMass Minutemen, Akron would occupy sole position in the cellar of the Mid-American Conference. The Zips’ greatest asset in recruiting is a C-grade for the MAC’s Conference Prestige, while they have to face the reality of D- grades in Championship Contender and Coach Stability, as well as Television Exposure.

Positive Pitch Grades: Conference Prestige (C)

Negative Pitch Grades: Championship Contender (D-), Coach Stability (D-), Television Exposure (D-)

2. UMass Minutemen – Mid-American Conference, East Division

OVR:  61 OFF: 61  DEF: 65

Next on the list are the aforementioned Minutemen, rated two points lower than the Zips.  UMass boasts a B+ in Academic Prestige and the same C grade for Conference Prestige as Akron, while using the existing coach will net you a D- in Coach Prestige as well as D- grades for Championship Contender and Stadium Atmosphere.

Positive Pitch Grades: Academic Prestige (B+), Conference Prestige (C)

Negative Pitch Grades: Coach Prestige (D-), Championship Contender (D-), Stadium Atmosphere (D-)

1. Georgia State Panthers – Sun Belt Conference

OVR: 60  OFF: 60  DEF: 60

In their first year in FBS play and debut in NCAA Football, the Georgia State Panthers are the worst-rated team in NCAA Football 14. Georgia State earns a C+ grade for Television Exposure and a C grade for campus lifestyle for being located in Atlanta and playing home games at the Georgia Dome. However, their Coach Prestige, Championship Contender, and Stadium Atmosphere all come in at D- grades, which hamper the recruiting process to begin your Dynasty.

Positive Pitch Grades: Television Exposure (C+), Campus Lifestyle (C)

Negative Pitch Grades: Coach Prestige (D-), Championship Contender (D-), Stadium Atmosphere (D-)

Succeeding with one of these 1-Star teams will be a testament to your skills not just on the field, but the recruiting trail as well.

 

NCAA Football 14 is now available for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Buy your copy today and #PLAYTRUE.