CFB 25 Best Playbooks: Top 3 Offensive & Defensive Playbooks in College Football 25

Instead of trying every single playbook in College Football 25, here we’ll present the list of best playbooks for offense and defense in CFB 25 (NCAA 25), which works well in the game and helps you dominate the game.

CFB 25 Best Playbooks: Top 3 Offensive & Defensive Playbooks in College Football 25 (NCAA 25)

With extensive playbooks to choose from in College Football 25, sifting through the numerous options can be overwhelming. But we've got you covered with the top 3 best CFB 25 offensive and defensive playbooks that will give you the competitive edge you need to conquer the game. From the Air Force to the 3-3-5 Penny, we'll dive into each playbook that will take your team to victory.

Best Playbooks for CFB 25 Offense

1. Air Force

The Air Force playbook is based on the Flexbone formation, which the Army and Navy also use. It is important to pay attention to the formations that come with the Flexbone, as they can provide flexibility in different situations. The Air Force playbook has multiple shotgun formations, which can be useful if a team falls behind and needs to pass more. Army may have more shotgun formations, but they have not yet done a deep dive into the differences between the playbooks. Air Force may be better at the triple option and Flexbone plays.

2. Multiple

Moving on to the second one, the Multiple Playbook stands out as a top offensive option in CFB 25, particularly for players familiar with Madden gameplay. This playbook's strength lies in its versatility and the inclusion of two highly effective formations: Shotgun Trips Tight End and Shotgun Bunch. These formations offer a comprehensive set of plays, including fan favorites like PA Counter Go, Verticals, and Curl Flat, which have proven successful in previous iterations of the game. The Trips Tight End formation is especially noteworthy, featuring a wide array of options. The playbook also introduces plays like Speed Option, not only does it cater to those comfortable with Madden-style play, it also provides chances to explore other formations.

3. Arizona

At number 3, we have the Arizona playbook with potent formations. One of them is full Trips Tight End, one of the best formations in the game. The spacing of the three receivers in this formation makes it exceptionally challenging for defenses to counter, potentially becoming the go-to strategy for competitive players. Complementing this is the Tight Y Off formation, which has proven effective in Madden and is expected to translate well to the college game. The playbook's versatility extends to its strong under center options, particularly useful in red zone situations, including Singleback Wing Flex Close, Singleback Deuce Close, and Singleback Wing Slot. Even though it lacks the stretch RPO play that was popular in Madden, the Arizona playbook still offers a balanced approach, combining spread concepts with traditional under-center formations.

Best Playbooks for CFB 25 Defense

1. 3-3-5 Penny

3-3-5 Penny is considered one of the best defensive playbooks in College Football 25, which contributed by its versatility and effectiveness. Pinch Blitz 0 can be set up by shifting the defensive line to the opposite side of the running back and having them loop around the edge for an easy sack. This is done by pressing the left D-Pad, then up on the right stick to slant them outside. It also has the ability to adjust coverage to stop corner routes. If a team is killing you with corner routes on one side of the field, you can double-tap the triangle button and press the circle button to put the cornerback in a cloud flat. Then, double-tap the triangle button again and press the X button to put the safety in a deep half. This will allow you to guard the flats and have everything covered on that side of the field. This is a simple and effective way to shut down an opponent's passing game.

2. 3-3 Mug

The number two playbook for defense is 3-3 Mug, it allows you to send heavy blitz with man coverage or drop into the zone with fewer rushers. The straight blitz setup featured can flood the A and B gaps with blitzers, overwhelming blockers and creating quick pressure. This is difficult for the offense to block. Sending different numbers of rushers and having flexible pre-snap looks helps disguise the defense's intentions, your opponents have to account for multiple possibilities. Top college defenses have the elite talent to exploit gaps and mismatches in man coverage. The 3-3 Mug maximizes their talents through creative blitz and coverage. The basic concepts like pressing or hovering over gaps are easy for defenses to execute, while they can create complex problems for offenses to solve under pressure.

3. 3-3 Stack

What makes 3-3 Stack powerful is its strong coverage and ability to match up with opposing offenses. One key aspect of this playbook is the cover four-quarters defense, which can be set up by pressing the triangle button and then R1. This will put your linebackers in a down position and press everyone, providing excellent coverage on the majority of the field. You can also use it to adjust coverage to stop hard flats. If an opponent is killing you with hard flats, you can press the triangle button and R1, then press down on the right stick and triangle to shade underneath. This will cause your defenders to play hard flats, stopping all drags and allowing you to focus on defending corner routes and deep posts. On the whole, the 3-3 Stack offers a good balance of coverage and pressure, it is solid to use in defending.