College Football 25 Guide: What Goes Into a 'Best Playbook' and How to Find Your Own

For anyone who may have read my all-in-one recruiting guide, I wanted to take a stab at doing something similar for playbooks/money plays in College Football 25. My goal, just like with recruiting, is not to give you every “cheese” play but rather give you some “best practices” as you seek out plays and sets that help inform the sort of offensive playbook you’re looking to build.

I’ll be breaking the concepts out into runs, passes, and RPOs. The plays I highlight will mostly come from Shotgun sets, but I’m going to talk about some “heavy” sets as well. I’m also going to be rating the plays I mention. They will be rated based on how hard they are to effectively utilize (out of five). Lastly, I will also try to point out some other plays within formations that can be paired with these plays to give you 2-3 looks from the same set so you can keep opponents on their toes. (Please note that not every play I suggest to pair with the highlighted plays will be in the same default team playbooks. In other words, some of the “alternate” plays will only be in some of the default playbooks, thus you’d need to create a custom playbook to get all the plays I specifically mention.)

To try and be as broad as possible, I’m also going to mention every “default” playbook that has the plays I’m discussing. I’ll be using the CFB.Fan database to do that. You can also find this playbook in College Football 25 by searching for OpSportsPlaybook with the PSN of ChucklesBiscotti. It should be available on both PlayStation and Xbox consoles. It’s not a “realistic” playbook because it has almost 500 plays in it, but the point of it is to exist in case you want to try out the plays I’ve mentioned and curate the playbook from there.

RPOs

This will be the most in-depth section because RPOs are the most difficult plays to run effectively because you have run and pass options on every single one. I have an RPO guide for anyone who wants to understand the jargon on the RPO plays and how to read the defense before the snap. With that in mind, I will be assuming you understand how RPOs work and what the playcall itself is telling you on these plays.

However, I do want to mention a couple best practices for RPOs before getting into them. RPOs are generally a little more effective against most zone defenses in CFB. Or, to put it another way, they’re safer against most zone looks. Teams running lots of man can still be exposed by RPOs, but you need to be more comfortable running RPOs to avoid mistakes against man defenses.

Either way, RPOs are about number counts in/out of the box and reading those R/P key defenders that you can see pre-snap by holding L2.

Shotgun – Duo Slot Open – RPO Read HB Flat

This “Duo” look is a unique way to get two running backs on one side of the formation. It gets the outside RB out into the flat even faster than usual, and it gets bonus points for being exotic.

This is a “bread and butter” play where you want to call it multiple times and force the defense to start having to make tough decisions between the tackles or out beyond the hashes (this is a general rule to keep in mind for a lot of RPOs). You have the option to keep it with the QB, hand it off, or throw it to the flat. Your big decision is reading the R defender, but the biggest gains are usually going to come from keeping it with the QB and then escaping outside, or getting the defense to crash down on you before tossing it into the flat.

From this same set, I would think of running this play along with Sprintout Flood and PA Rollout.

Added tip: By searching for “Sprint” you can find a lot of plays with built-in rollouts that occur right after the snap. These plays will be marked with Sprint, Sprintout, or Sprint Out in playbooks. These plays can get you into trouble if your tackle doesn’t handle the edge (or if the defense has contains on) as you might auto-scramble into a sack. But if you’re able to get outside the tackle box at the end of the auto-scramble portion of the play, they turn into an efficient way to scramble for yards on pass plays. They’re especially useful deep in the red zone or in third-and-short situations.

Difficulty: 3 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: UNLV

Shotgun – East X Over – Exit RPO Read Bubble

With this RPO, the nice part of the auto-motion is you get an extra blocker out into the flat to make this play even more effective if you choose to throw to the flat. You have the usual Read options to keep it with the QB or hand it off. The overloaded nature of the formation means this play will have more effectiveness if you run it towards the wide side of the field.

From this set, I would also run PA Flood and Exit PA Fk Bubble.

Difficulty: 3 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Michigan

Shotgun – Y Off Trio Wk – RPO Read Y Flat

I think every playbook should have some form of RPO Read Y Flat in it. I prefer the ones where you get the inline player to come all the way across the offensive line (Shotgun – Normal Y Off and Shotgun – Y Off Trips are two other versions I like), but there’s plenty of good versions of it you can search for with the “RPO Read Y Flat” keywords.

This version of Y Flat is a little more complex and risky because the receiver with the orbit motion (the auto-motioning light blue route) is the one-play touchdown in some instances.

You’ll be tempted to try and wait for that receiver to get deep into the secondary, but the real read most of the time is going to be that tight end going out into the flat.

Added Tip: Most of the RPO Read Y Flat plays are also extended versions of a modified triple option. Sometimes you’ll get outside the pocket with the QB after keeping the ball and then you’ll still have the option to make a long “pitch” out to the tight end in the flat by pressing the specific receiver icon.

From this same set, I would think of running this play along with Orbit PA Cross and RPO Alert Orbit Swing.

Difficulty: 4 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Multiple, Texas

Shotgun – Doubles Y Off Wk – RPO Jet Read Y Slide

While you would obviously prefer to go north/south rather than east/west, this is the sort of RPO Read play that is really going to force defenses to respect both sides of the field, which should open up some chances to stay either in between the tackles with the handoff, or to slide outside the pocket with the QB and find space.

This is another one of those RPOs I would make a staple of the offense early in a game to try and force teams into giving you lighter boxes. I’m also a big fan of running out of this set overall.

From this same set, I would think of running HB Slow Screen, Jet Pass Fk Toss, and Fk Jet Toss Pass.

Difficulty: 4 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Clemson, Ole Miss, UCF

Shotgun – Doubles Y Off Wk – RPO Walk Glance

Returning to Doubles Y Off Wk, this is a play where it’s all about believing in your read. RPO Walks are specific to Wake Forest as they’re RPO plays where you keep the ball in the chest of the running back for an even longer period of time. They can be very hit or miss, and you will get some illegal man downfield penalties here and there, but they’re a fun change of pace if you like using lots of RPOs.

The “true” read is to either hand the ball off or hit one of the in routes. But if you can stay in there and trust that the crashing defender is going to key in on your running back, there is a one-play TD to be found on the deep route.

You can run this play with RPO Walk Alert Power and RPO Glance Post.

Difficulty: 5 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Wake Forest

Shotgun – Trips HB Wk – MTN RPO QB Draw

If you have a mobile QB, you’re probably looking for different ways to get him in space. This RPO does that by giving you a basic read to make at the LOS. If your number count in the box looks good, you can pass up the throw into the flat where the motioning RB will plant himself, and you can instead look to tuck the ball and run up the middle of the field with the QB.

From this same set, I would run MTN Fk Screen Wheel, MTN Slot Screen, and Trips Dash Flood.

Difficulty: 3 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Oregon, South Carolina

Shotgun – Bunch Quads Open – RPO Q Screen Draw

If you want the more evil version of an RPO QB Draw, Shotgun Bunch Quads Open is one of the more vile sets in the game because it stacks four receivers in a diamond on the outside. It really puts the defense in a bind, and if they’re running zone or just not pressing their outside defenders, they’re going to be in a world of hurt most of the time.

The same read applies as the last play, except the pass out to the hashes is your first read.

From this same set, I would think of running this play along with Bunch Trail and HB Screen. I also want to emphasize how powerful the HB Screen play can be. It’s basically the same look as Q Screen Draw without the QB Draw in it (so you have fewer options), but the blocking on the outside is more consistent when you throw the screen pass.

Difficulty: 2 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Cincinnati, Georgia State, North Texas, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas Tech, West Virginia, Western Kentucky, Western Michigan

Shotgun – Trey Open – RPO Alert Draw Stick

I mention this play because you might not realize it’s another RPO with a QB Draw element baked into it. Check and see if you have a numbers advantage, or make the throw to the stick/option route in most instances.

Run this play with Z Under Seams and PA Slot Under.

Difficulty: 2 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Michigan State

Shotgun – Wing Slot Over – QB Power RPO

Wrapping up our bundle of RPO QB runs, the same concepts all apply here where you are looking for a light box if you want to keep it with the QB. Otherwise, you’ll likely be looking to the flat.

From this set, I would also run Sprint Switch Smash and HB Stretch.

Difficulty: 2 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Kansas State

Shotgun – Deuce – RPO Read Snag

This is a hard play to run right, but it has a lot of upside if you can make the right reads and notice when the outside defenders crash down on the short route rather than respecting the auto-motioning TE on the deep route.

The other key is you want to lead the tight end up the field and usually throw a bullet pass before the defense can recover back towards him.

From this set, I would also run Exit RPO Read Y Flat, 0 1 Trap, and PA Slide.

Difficulty: 5 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: North Carolina, South Alabama, Texas, West Virginia

Shotgun – Monster – RPO Zone Alert

It would be negligent of me if I didn’t mention Monster. It’s total shenanigans, and so the less said about this formation the better, but you only have three offensive linemen, so it’s the easiest read to make before the snap whether you should hand the ball off or fire it outside.

This is the epitome of a cheese play. There are only three plays in this formation, so there’s not any recommendations to make.

Difficulty: 1 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Air Raid

Shotgun – Slot Left Stack – RPO Alert Speed Out

If you’re looking for a great play down near the goal line, it’s hard to find much better than this RPO. You have a bubble on the left, a speed out on the right, and then you can still hand the ball off. It is somewhat difficult to run because it relies on good decision making, but you should have an answer for most looks with this play.

You can run this play with PA Jailbreak Screen and Speed Option.

Difficulty: 4 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Duke, North Texas, SMU

Pistol – Strong Trips Over – RPO Alert Post Screen

For a different flavor of RPO, out of the Pistol this is a look that comes with more risk when you pass. If you’re wrong about the defender(s) over the middle, you’re throwing a pick. But in a short yardage situation, you might assume there’s going to be some heat being brought through the middle, and this is the perfect way to relieve that stress by hitting up the post route.

You can run this play with PA Boot Lt and HB Blast Alert.

Difficulty: 4 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Cincinnati, Florida, Multiple

Passes

Passing is really flexible in this game. I’m not going to say it’s easy, but passing really comes down to reading defenses more than anything else. You can make tons of passing plays work for you, and you can do it from heavy sets, spread sets, and so on. The only “best practice” I would really mention here is find passing settings that you like. From there, it’s just about learning what routes beat man, which beat zone, how to make the proper pre-snap reads, and how do you make various zone looks bend to your will. Plus, you can obviously use hot routes to drastically change most passing plays.

For me, I love built-in motion, so that’s why this playbook favors that with a lot of the passing plays, but you can find your own style depending on your personnel and so forth.

Shotgun – Spread DBL Flex – MTN Mesh

My favorite man-beating combo in the game is a wheel route mixed in with a couple mesh routes. It’s even better if we can get some auto-motion, so this is why I love this play. The option routes on the mesh routes can theoretically get you in trouble if you’re not expecting the receivers to “sit down” in the middle of the field, but sometimes that can work to your benefit. I’ll also run this play against a lot of zones that aren’t playing the flats very aggressively and just take my yardage underneath.

If you throw the wheel route, just be sure to lead the receiver outside and up the field to escape either the safety over the top or the trailing man defender.

I would run this play with Inside Cross and MTN WR Mid Screen.

Difficulty: 4 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Arizona State, Ole Miss, USC

Shotgun – Trey Open HB Str – H MTN Mesh Wheel

Since it’s my favorite combination, I need to point out one other version I really like that mixes mesh with a wheel.

I would run this play with Z Under Seams and HB Direct Snap.

Difficulty: 3 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Arizona, Georgia, North Texas, Syracuse

Shotgun – Trips TE – Orbit PA HB Wheel

Sticking with the wheel route, this is a one-play touchdown to the RB in a lot of instances. The two receivers are trying to clear out the left side and then the RB on the wheel route comes in behind and hopefully has a mismatch against a trailing LB. The orbit motion is in there to be a distraction.

I would run this play with HB Angle, Double Under, and MTN Bench.

Added Tip: I also want to say that I think Trips TE is one of the most lethal formations to throw out of in general, so I would lean into this formation if you’re looking for pass plays while using 45 Quick Base as the default run play when you have favorable boxes.

Difficulty: 1 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Alabama

Shotgun – Trips TE Offset Wk – Verticals

You have to include at least one Verticals play, and this is my choice. I like it because it’s overloading one side of the field, but you still have the HB leaking out for a checkdown if needed. The “best” bet will usually be the inside receiver finding a soft spot somewhere in the middle of the field. I tend to pull “down” on the stick when throwing and then I attack the ball with the receiver so I can get to the ball before the safety.

I would run this play with HB Slip Screen and Flood Divide.

Difficulty: 4 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Boston College, Georgia, Miami, Miami (OH), Nevada, Oregon, Rutgers, South Alabama, UConn, Western Kentucky

Shotgun – Spread Y-Slot – Z Shallow Cross

I adore this play. It’s really about the interaction between the HB route and the Z receiver. It will work well against most zone and man looks, and you’re just looking to see which of those two players ends up getting a little space. In certain man looks, the two defenders may even run into each other, which gives you multiple options on the play.

I would run this play with Z Shallow, Shuffle HB Trail, and 45 Quick Base.

Difficulty: 1 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Appalachian State, Eastern Michigan, Florida, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Multiple, New Mexico, Temple, UMass, Wake Forest

Shotgun – Y Off Trips – MTN Y Screen

I love screens in this game, especially because a lot of opponents will run a lot of zone. This tight end screen is a good option because if the tight end screen isn’t looking good, you do still have an auto-motioning RB who will be in the flat on the other side.

Added Tip: You can always use the “throw the ball away” button on screen passes and the QB will spike the ball at the receiver’s feet to avoid a penalty.

I would run this play with MTN Stick and RPO Read GT Flat.

Difficulty: 2 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Appalachian State, Arkansas, Baylor, Boston College, Central Michigan, Colorado State, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Southern, Kentucky, Memphis, Mid Tenn State, Northern Illinois, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rice, South Alabama, Syracuse, Texas Tech, USC, Utah, Western Kentucky

Shotgun – Duo Over – Sprint HB Throwback

A lot of people like HB screens but are worried about the pass rush. This builds in some extra time for you in most instances as you’ll automatically sprint away from where the screen will be thrown.

You can run this with Option Reverse and Load Option.

Difficulty: 1 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: UNLV

Singleback – Doubles Flex – Stretch WR Screen

Stretch Alert Lookie is an RPO play that will look similar to this, but I prefer this playcall. It comes with the same risks as Lookie because you can get sacked if you’re not careful, but you get the upside of plenty of blocking if you complete the pass. As with most WR screens, you do need to be careful if the defense is in press coverage.

This play works well in concert with Inside Cross and HB Stretch.

Difficulty: 4 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Michigan State

Shotgun – Bunch Quads Offset – Roll Out Double Post

A lot of this play depends on the coverage, but I tend to like the tight end who runs towards the sideline. It’s an auto “roll out” play so it also has some built-in movement from the QB to put a little more pressure on the defense.

I would run this play with Pin Pull Toss, Slot Fade, and Cross HB Under.

Added Tip: I also really like the Cross HB Under play in short yardage situations as the RB comes out of the backfield at a unique angle.

Difficulty: 3 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Alabama, Oregon

Shotgun – Wing Trips Wk – MTN PA Cross Switch

There’s a lot going on here, but I think the auto-motioning receiver is the real first read on this play. It’s a unique route, and you’ll need some good pass protection, but assuming your receiver has decent route running, it’s a relatively easy ball to fire in there for good yardage if you time the throw in concert with the receiver cutting inside.

I would run this play with MTN PA Wheel, MTN Wheel Spot, and MTN RPO Alert.

Difficulty: 3 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Georgia

Runs/Options

Because we’re dealing mostly with Shotgun, I want to mention Inside Zone in relation to run plays. It seems to be the “default” run play in a lot of formations and is selected as the designated preset run audible in a lot of formations. Inside Zone is a perfectly fine running concept, but it can be a little complex, and I think it’s not the best run play to use in a pinch. Instead, out of Shotgun I recommend you search out things like HB Base/Quick Base, HB Power, HB Off Tackle, and HB Punch. I think most people will have a little better consistency out of those looks in comparison to Inside Zone.

On top of that, I have to stress how important it is that you don’t touch the turbo button early in a run play. If you can learn not to touch the turbo button until you get past the defensive line, you’ll not only give your blockers more time to get to the second level, but you’ll also find that not as many defenders slip off their blocks and instantly grab you near the line of scrimmage.

Singleback – Wing – HB Slant 18

I find it hard to give pointers about running plays because it’s very read and react — I would argue even more than most RPO plays. If you’re playing on Heisman with challenging sliders, running the ball will likely be the toughest challenge. I like this play because it’s a reprieve from that. It’s very much either going to work or not right from the start, and you just follow the play art 9/10 times.

I would run this play with PA Boot Lt, PA Boot, and End Around Lead.

Added Tip: My preferred under center running formations involve heavy amounts of the “Singleback Wing” formations like Singleback Wing Pair, Singleback Wing Tight, and so on.

Difficulty: 1 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Michigan State, San Jose State, Utah

Pistol – Ace Heavy Overload – Duo

Duo runs are about getting double teams at the first level, and as I said previously, I find concepts like Duo to be a little more consistent than Inside Zone this year. This run is advanced though as it takes a lot of patience and trust. This is the run you want to use if you want to impress the homies with your vision.

The play art is accurate as you will want to get to that hole most of the time, but you’re going to need to trust the blocking all the way until you head into the breach. If the run goes well, you’ll usually be running off the shoulder of your RG as he gets to the second level for his second block.

I would run this play with HB Stretch and PA Stretch.

Difficulty: 5 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Ball State

Pistol – Empty Tight Stack – Load Option

This is an evil option play. In general, I like the Load Option more than the Speed Option if you’re looking for that style of run play, but this particular Load Option is especially tough to defend. The auto-motioning receiver gets a lot of width almost immediately, and it leads to the defense being unable to get out to that receiver in time.

I would run this play with MTN Mesh and MTN Smash.

Difficulty: 2 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Air Force

Pistol – Train – HB Off Tackle

Another run play where you can impress your homies with your vision. If the play goes well, you’ll usually be cutting back and running off the center as he gets to his second block. Again, you must have patience.

In general, I love Pistol Train as a running formation. I would run this play with HB Stretch and PA Boot Wheel.

Difficulty: 5 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Kennesaw State, Spread Option

Shotgun – Trey Open HB Str – HB Direct Snap

Another staple I think most playbooks should have includes an HB Direct Snap play. It’s just good to have for short yardage situations as it’s usually able to secure a yard or two at minimum. Feel free to do a search for one from a formation you like.

I would run this play with DIY Direct Snap Reverse and RPO Peek Hitch.

Difficulty: 2 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Arizona

Shotgun – Trio Offset Wk – HB Power

This play simply follows the play art. You will be following your pulling guard and trying to go off one of his shoulders. The appeal of this formation is it does clear out the whole right side if you do get into the secondary, and defenses still need to worry about some tough-to-defend passes to the left.

I would run this play with QB Slot Option, Fk Toss Rollout, and PA Flood.

Difficulty: 3 out of 5

Playbooks where it’s available: Central Michigan, Mid Tenn State

I could keep rattling off plays, but I think there are diminishing returns at some point. The final point I would make goes back to an original point I made: find your style. Do you want to be a team that imposes your will and forces teams to load up with heavy boxes early in the game? Do you want to be a team all about speed that’s constantly trying to find that edge with auto-motion or RPOs that get out to the hashes? There’s plenty of ways to craft a playbook or find a default one that makes sense for you, but you need to recognize how you want to operate.

For example, I don’t really like Wide formations even though they’re all the rage in college football. You, on the other hand, may love them and want to basically go the Tennessee route and make them a big part of your playbook. As much as I like Shotgun plays, I also like having 2-3 TEs on the field a lot of the time, so my goal is trying to find a way to fuse Shotgun looks together with a bunch of “heavy” personnel looks.

Whatever you choose is fine, but come up with a game plan of some sort so you’re not just throwing darts when you start crafting a playbook. We also have a custom playbook thread where you can share ideas or read what others have come up with on the practice field.