Here’s why and how you should keep the running game alive and CFB 25 Coins well in your College Football 25 playbook.

1. Establishing the Run to Set Up the Pass
One of the biggest benefits of a strong running game is the ability to set up the passing game. By forcing the defense to respect your run plays, you open up opportunities for play-action and passing plays over the top.

Play-Action Opportunities: Once you’ve established a solid running game, defenses will start to stack the box and focus on stopping the run. This is the perfect time to call a play-action pass. The linebackers and defensive backs will be pulled in closer to the line of scrimmage, leaving your wide receivers with more space to operate downfield.

Balanced Attack: The key to keeping a defense honest is mixing your plays between run and pass. If you run the ball on early downs, especially with a consistent back, the defense will have to respect both your ground game and passing options. This forces them to play more conservatively, opening the field for a more diverse attack.

2. Keep the Defense Guessing with Run Variations
Using a variety of running plays will prevent the defense from easily predicting your next move. The more varied and unpredictable your running game is, the more difficult it will be for the defense to anticipate and stop.

Inside vs. Outside Runs: Don’t just rely on one type of run. Mix it up with both inside and outside runs. Inside zone runs can exploit gaps in the defense's interior, while outside runs stretch the defense horizontally, pulling defenders away from the middle and giving your backs more room to maneuver.

Counters and Mis-Direction: Utilize misdirection plays like counters or reverse handoffs to keep the defense off-balance. By faking a play in one direction and then running in the opposite direction, you can fool defenders and break big gains.

Option Plays: In College Football 25, option plays like the read option or speed option are excellent ways to make your offense unpredictable. These plays allow your quarterback to either hand off the ball, keep it, or pitch it, based on how the defense reacts. This keeps defenders guessing, making it harder for them to commit fully to stopping either the run or the pass.

3. Keep the Defense Honest with the Run Game
If you rely too heavily on passing, the defense will start playing more pass-focused defense (such as bringing extra players into coverage or rushing the quarterback more aggressively). Having a strong running game keeps the defense honest and ensures they can’t completely sell out to stop your passing attack.

Pound the Rock on Early Downs: Running on first or second down can help you stay ahead of the chains and avoid long third-down situations. A solid run game will keep your offense in manageable yards, allowing you to open up more play options without forcing your quarterback into obvious passing situations.

Controlling the Clock: A strong running game is also an excellent way to control the tempo of the game. Running the ball allows you to eat up clock, which can be particularly helpful in close games or when you want to slow down the pace. It also helps limit the opposing offense’s time on cheap College Football 25 Coins the field, especially if you’re facing a high-powered passing attack.