After testing and comparing, here are the five best offenses in the game and what makes each one special.
1. Oregon State Offensive Playbook
Best for: Players who want multiple elite shotgun options and unique automotion plays. Oregon State has been a fan favorite since launch, and for good reason—it's stacked with versatile formations, creative route combos, and run-pass balance.
Why It's Great:
· Shotgun-Heavy Scheme: While the pistol and single back sets are underwhelming, the shotgun formations more than make up for it.
· Gun Wing Pair & X Close: Elite shotgun running options that pound the ball effectively.
· Gun Y-Off Close: A standout formation featuring the deadly Flood play. By tapping Y/Triangle to put your ISO receiver on a return route, you create an easy three-read progression: out route → zig → return.
· Automotion Mesh Rail: An irreplaceable route concept you can't replicate with hot routes. Stretches defenses horizontally and vertically.
· RPO Variety: Inside zone, trap, and bubble RPOs give you answers against any defensive front.
· Bunch Variations: Access to Bunch Strong Offset, Bunch Nasty, and Bunch X Nasty—each capable of being a standalone offensive system.
Bottom Line: Oregon State's mix of unique passing concepts, strong RPO game, and multiple meta-capable bunch formations makes it a top-tier all-around playbook.
2. Bowling Green Offensive Playbook
Best for: Players who love mixing classic passing plays with efficient RPOs. Bowling Green's offense offers a deep bag of high-percentage plays, especially out of its gun formations.
Why It's Great:
· Gun Normal Y-Off Close (Yale): One of the simplest yet most effective passing setups. Quick reads to the flat, slot, and seam give you easy completions.
· PA Shot: A great Cover 2 beater using the slot seam.
· Trips Tight End: Perennial powerhouse formation with RPO Alert Bubble—dangerous if you mix handoffs and bubble throws.
· Bunch Offset Mesh Spot: Zone-shredding play with multiple quick-hitting routes and a wheel threat from the tight end.
· Bunch Strong Offset: Features Flood, Duo, and read option—letting you dictate tempo.
· Bunch Tight End: Another loaded bunch set with Mesh Dig, Curl Flat Corner, and RPO Alert Bubble.
Bottom Line: Bowling Green doesn't reinvent the wheel—it just gives you a playbook full of proven winners for both air and ground.
3. Arkansas State Offensive Playbook
Best for: Players who want access to one of the best plays in the game, Stick N Up. Arkansas State combines solid under-center options with shotgun passing firepower.
Why It's Great:
· Single Back Wing Tight: Offers strong power running with Halfback Dive and Halfback Stretch.
· Stick N Up (Gun Tight Slots): Arguably the best play in College Football 26 thanks to its short post route, return route, and built-in blitz pickup flexibility. Beats man and zone with multiple reads.
· Trips Tight End: Not the strongest version in the game, but still has top RPOs and decent passing concepts.
· Bunch Tight End: Comparable to Bowling Green's but adds Whips, a frustrating man-beater.
· Empty Trio Double Pivot: One of the better 5-wide setups for quick strikes.
Bottom Line: If you want to build your offense around one dominant passing play while still having elite formations for variety, Arkansas State is your move.
4. Tulane Offensive Playbook
Best for: Players who want the best Bunch Tight End formation in the game. Tulane's Bunch Tight End is on another level thanks to its automotion plays, which can't be replicated with hot routes.
Why It's Great:
· Bunch Tight End: Includes Motion PA Cross Switch and Motion TE Hitch HB Seam, both using automotion wheels to destroy man coverage and stretch zones.
· Complimentary Ground Game: Halfback Off Tackle, Read Option, and RPO Alert Bubble keep defenses honest.
· Trips Tight End Offset Weak: Strong vertical and RPO options.
· Other Options: Bunch Wide and Double Stack offer additional change-ups without leaving the shotgun.
Bottom Line: Tulane's Bunch Tight End is so dangerous that you could run the formation all game and force opponents into defensive nightmares.
5. Ohio State Offensive Playbook
Best for: Balanced under-center and shotgun offense with the best Y-Off Close in the game. As much as Michigan fans might dislike it, Ohio State's playbook is loaded front to back.
Why It's Great:
· Split T & Single Back Deuce Close: Great for power football with Halfback Stretch, 01 Trap, and Flood Trail.
· Single Back Bunch Tight End: One of the top under-center bunch sets, with Stretch Alert Bubble and Inside Zone as core plays.
· Normal Y-Off Close: The best version in the game, featuring PA Buckeye Verse, PA Snag, Mesh Spot, Red Zone Scissors, and Yale.
· Bunch Strong Offset & Box Formations: Strong passing formations with enough run support to keep defenses guessing.
Bottom Line: Ohio State's versatility makes it perfect for dynasty grinders, competitive players, and anyone who wants an elite balance between run and pass.
Final Thoughts
Whether you prefer bunch formations, spread looks, or a punishing under-center game, College Football 26 has playbooks to match your style. Master one of these offenses, and you'll find yourself marching down the field with ease—touchdowns will follow.