Okay, here we go. Here’s how I messed around with the Pro Style Offense in NCAA 25 (well, hypothetically, since it’s not out yet, but based on what I think it’ll be like from past games and previews).
So, first off, I knew I wanted to run a pro-style offense. I’m talking under-center, play-action, maybe a fullback. Not this spread, shotgun, read-option nonsense everyone else runs. I wanted to establish the run.
Choosing a Team: First thing’s first, had to pick a team that could run that kind of offense. Some teams just ain’t built for it. I was looking for a team with a decent offensive line (at least potential), a power-running back, and a quarterback who can at least manage the game and throw intermediate routes. I ended up leaning towards Iowa. Always a solid running team, traditionally good O-line, and usually a QB that won’t throw the game away. Plus, it’d be a challenge to make them a high-powered offense.
Recruiting: Recruiting was HUGE. Right away, I started targeting offensive linemen. Big, mauling guards and tackles. Didn’t care about speed or agility for those guys; just strength and run blocking. Also started looking for a bruising fullback. Hard to find in modern college football, but they’re out there. I even looked at converting a linebacker if I had to. The QB situation was less urgent. I figured I could develop someone over time, as long as they weren’t complete liabilities. I did keep an eye out for pocket-passing QBs with high accuracy ratings, though.
Playbook: Next up: playbook. I spent a lot of time in the playbook editor, creating my perfect pro-style attack. I focused on formations like I-Form, Power-I, and Singleback Ace. Lots of runs up the middle, power runs, and some outside zones to keep the defense honest. Then, some play-action passes off those runs. Slants, crossing routes, digs, and maybe a deep post or two to try and catch the defense sleeping. I also made sure to have some short-yardage and goal-line formations with multiple tight ends and even an extra offensive lineman.
Practice Mode: Spent a ton of time in practice mode, just running the same plays over and over. Getting the timing down with the running backs, practicing the play-action fakes, and working on reading the defenses. This is where I really started to understand the nuances of the offense and how to exploit different defensive looks.
Early Games: First few games were rough, I ain’t gonna lie. Turnovers, missed blocks, bad reads. It was ugly. But I stuck with it. Kept hammering the run, even when it wasn’t working. Eventually, the offensive line started to gel, the running backs found their rhythm, and the play-action passes started to open up.
- Adjusting on the Fly: One thing I learned was the importance of adjusting on the fly. If the defense was stacking the box, I’d audible to a pass play. If they were playing soft coverage, I’d keep running it down their throats. You gotta be able to read the defense and make adjustments based on what they’re giving you.
- Gameplanning: My gameplans each week became hyper-focused. I’d study the opponent’s run defense tendencies, identify their weak spots, and then build my gameplan around attacking those weaknesses. Knowing who to block and how to block them was paramount.
Mid-Season Adjustments: Around mid-season, I started adding some wrinkles to the offense. A few RPOs (Run-Pass Options) to keep the defense guessing, some trick plays (like a WR pass), and a few more passing concepts to take advantage of mismatches. I didn’t want to get too predictable.
Late Season Success: By the end of the season, the offense was humming. We were running the ball effectively, throwing when we needed to, and controlling the clock. It was a thing of beauty (at least, in my own mind). We didn’t win every game, but we were competitive, and we were doing it our way, with a hard-nosed, pro-style attack.
Overall: This is how I’d approach building a Pro Style Offense in the new NCAA 25, or any football game. It’s all about finding the right team, recruiting the right players, developing the right playbook, practicing the fundamentals, and making adjustments along the way. It takes patience and commitment, but it’s incredibly rewarding when you see it all come together.
