The quarterback drops back to pass. He’s flushed from the pocket. Under pressure he runs to his left, then pulls up and throws back to the right as the pursuing linebacker takes on the role of mortician and tries to bury him six feet under the artificial turf. The defense collapses around the target, a lanky receiver camped near the sideline. He goes up, reaching … It’s complete, and enough for the first down!

If there is one thing predictable about college football, it is the unpredictability of the beast. Sometimes it goes according to script. The team that should win does. But sometimes the little dog can take a huge bite out of the big dog.

Sega Sports’ NCAA College Football 2K3, for the GameCube, captures that essence well. Developed by Visual Concepts, this is a game that plays well and looks good doing it. However, when it comes to console football games, this latest version of the collegiate game is relegated to the little dog to EASports big dog. And there is a lot of chewing going on.

But the program does have few missed blocks on that offensive possession. For example, the AI seems a little weak, and granted, playing and beating the computer is a joy unless the CPU-driven tactics are, well, strange. There is clock mismanagement, and odd plays called in key moments of the game.

Sega Sports has thrown in the ESPN crew to keep it lively. The announcing can have some undercurrents that will elicit a few smiles. If the offense is a little slow getting the play off and is flagged for a delay of game, the announcer, after describing the miscue, may intone "Honey, are you listening?" and then imply the same thing happened the previous evening.

There are five game modes in which players can test their coaching and gaming abilities. You can practice, compete in a tourney, play an exhibition game, take on the challenge of a season or take on the Legacy mode ­ 25 years to build and maintain a college team at the highest level.

The game also has the various management options (recruiting, depth charts, et cetera), create-a-school and create-a-player options. Where the game seems to be lacking is in options of the playbook variety. True, each team has a bevy of plays to choose from, but the choices seem a little finite.

When it comes to the control elements ­ this game has numerous control configurations that will take time to become very familiar with. The player interface is well designed.

This is a good-looking game. The players may be a little on the soft side or rounded, but the animation is excellent. Tackling dynamics, the way the ball flops around on the field, and the environments are all well done. The game sports excellent lighting effects, and the overall look is bright and lush.

While this game may not be in quite the same category of some of its major competition, it is still a solid, well-designed game that will give gridiron junkies a quick football fix.

This game is rated for Everyone.

Gameplay: 8
From opening kickoff to final whistle, the game moves along well. The game has the attributes of a solid gridiron game.

Graphics: 8
The tackling dynamics, and general animation is well done. The player bodies seem a little too rounded and soft, rather than the sharp angles of pads straining against uniforms.

Sound: 8
Generally the announcing is well done. All the fight songs are here, and the game features the sound effects associated with the game.

Difficulty: Medium
While the control elements are kept reasonably simple, the lack of playbook options increases the challenge.

Concept: 7.5
The game is a little light in areas, but it contains the elements of a solid football game.

Multiplayer: 7.5
Up to four players can play on this game at the same time. The competition can be better than the computer AI.

Overall: 8
This is a solid game that looks good. The challenge is there, the physical characteristics and unpredictability of the sport are intact. This game contains all of the bells and most of the whistles that make up for an enjoyable experience.