1 - I was 2nd in the power ranking last night. Won first game of the season and have dropped to 7th!?!

2 - whilst reading the match log I noticed that next to some of the def play choices it says "pass key" - does that mean what my team chose to go for using the game planning percentages I set?

Power rankings will reflect talent more accurately as data is collected as games are played as the season goes along. But I've seen/ heard of stranger outcomes for the power rankings. It is not uncommon.

Yes the log shows for that particular set of plays selected what was keyed based off your settings.

Only 5 plays had PassKey next to them and only 1 play had RunKey next to it.

What about all the other ones?

Could someone give further clarification on this as I'm a bit confused (as ever!).

Thanks

In the wash/ car game your defense pass keyed like 8 or 9 times total and maybe keyed 3 runs plays. The other 40 or so plays they keyed nothing as neutral was chosen setting for those plays.

Power Rankings should be ignored. They make no sense whatsoever.

For example:
The regular season just finished in CUST-10.

My team (Gators) is 16-0. The next best record is 13-3.
My team lead the league in most points scored.
My team lead the league in fewest points allowed.
My team lead the league in most yards per pass attempt.
My team lead the league in most yards per rush attempt.
My team lead the league in most yards from scrimmage per game.
My team was #3 in fewest yards from scrimmage per game allowed.

Not that it matters for this season, but my team is also the defending champs, having gone undefeated last year as well.

The best part...my team is #3 in the power rankings.

Also:

CUST-21 just finished the regular season.

My team (Mud Dogs) is 16-0. Next best record is 14-2.
#1 in points scored
#1 in fewest points allowed
#1 in yds from scrimmage/game
#1 in pass yards/game
#1 in rush yds/game
#1 in fewest rush yds/game allowed
#1 in completion %
#1 in pass yards/attempt
#1 in pass tds/game
#1 in rush yds/carry
#1 in rush tds/game

#2 in power rankings.

So, what exactly are the power rankings based on?

Ah I see. I thought neutral meant the computer randomly choose run/pass.
Yes I have lots based on neutral so I understand those numbers for that match although I did get the wash /car match confused with a car wash at first!

So. .....

Could someone remind me how does choosing pass /run affect what happens. I understand "they prepare for a pass/run" but how does that impact on what choices ate made in terms of formations/plays chosen?

There's a filter on def plays for what the secondary do and what the lbs do but maybe we could filter by ones which are run/pass/neutral?
How do I know which are which?

The Keyes are tendencies of your defensive players. Not alignments and player assignments. They are those filters for DBs and LBs. If you click on that quadrant, where it says "veiw plays" you can see the plays that will most likely be selected.

The keyed play affects the reaction time of the player. If you "key"right for that play guys will be reacting faster resulting in better outcomes (hopefully ). And they are chosen based off the way you set them.

Run - They look to disrupt run plays quicker .
Pass- pass rushers look to get the QB and DBs do not look at the run as much.
Neutral -neither is chosen as a balanced style of play is used. Not giving up so much either way.

Those LB/DB filters are essentially what will choose your defensive play in any given situation. Pending rules. By selecting "man" for DBs and "blitz 2" for LBs you will be given a series of plays based off your head coaches "style". If you check them as your potential plays you will then using the formations designated within the checked plays.

By clicking on the "formations" button is where the rate of the play you have selected can be adjusted. Here, if you select a high rate of " man" for DBs and a high rate for "blitz 2 " for LBs the engine will select the plays you selected earlier for that quadrant.

After all my plays are set is when I look at "keys ". I run a balanced defensed that stops both the run and pass. So, I look at other teams strengths then "key" on that. You will see each teams breakdown of when they run and pass. It is in the run/pass button. Under each quadrant for each down and distance (short, medium, long). Say they pass 91 percent of the time on third and long. You might want to key pass there.

This could be confusing for guys who have known football. The layout is there, but different approach than most games to get your desired result. I hope this helps some. Cause after getting the hang of it I can set a roster/ gameplan for a brand new team in an hour. And set each weekly gameplan /roster in about five minutes . Still, I could spend hours if I have the time to go in to that detail.

Key run: slight boost to your defensive line in run defense, LB's and DB's play closer to the line and are quicker to get to the hole. Slight penalty to your defensive line in pass defense and to your DB's in the pass coverage attributes. Key pass: exactly the opposite of key run. Neutral: no penalties or boots.