The Running Game

Establishing a strong running game generally opens up the passing attack. Defenses will have to place more defenders "in the box" (the area around the line of scrimmage) to better be in position to stop your rushing attack—which often leaves receivers in single-coverage downfield. This section provides tips on gaining consistent yardage on the ground.

An effective rushing attack begins with knowing your personnel. Is your chosen team's running back better suited for power (high strength, break tackle, trucking, stiff arm rating but lower speed) or speed (high speed, agility, acceleration, spin move, and juke move rating)? Faster runners can turn the corner outside and elude slower linebackers and defensive backs for big gains but may not have the break tackle ability to run over middle linebackers. Power backs lack the speed to get outside but can truck through would-be tacklers.

Does your team have a good fullback? Where are the strengths of your team's offensive line? This can help determine if you should be running more around the left, right, or through the center or tackles of the line. The abilities of your personnel can help you determine which formations to select (Ace, I-Form, Strong, Weak, etc contain fullbacks) and if you need additional blocking help from tight ends.

NCAA 08 uses the lead blocking feature from last season's Madden. Select a blocker, open a hole, and use the running back to sprint through.

NCAA Football 08 implements "lead blocking controls" that made a debut in last year's run-focused Madden (with Shaun Alexander on the cover). On running plays you can control a blocker and allow the computer to control the running back (you retake control of the back after completing the block). Use lead blocking to help open holes or engage a linebacker or blitzing defender to give your running back additional running room through the middle or around the corner.

Check play designs and follow the intended blocking pattern. Your offensive linemen work for a reason! Allow the blockers to do their job. Don't sprint through your blocking scheme. Allow the play to develop then sprint through the hole. Be prepared to use a special move—trucking, stiff arm, juke, spin move, etc—to avoid approaching tacklers. Keep an eye on your downfield blocking; look to move around receivers, a fullback, or disengaged linemen for help downfield as you rack up big yardage.

Top Ten Rated Running Backs

The following table reveals the top ten rated running backs in NCAA Football 08. Key statistics include speed, strength, agility, catching, carrying, break tackle, trucking, and an assortment of special move ratings. These are the best of the best on the ground; generally faster running backs excel in outside runs with special move abilities and stronger—but slower—running backs excel inside by knocking down would-be tacklers with break tackle and trucking ability.

Top Ten Rated Fullbacks

It's understandable that strong running teams also have skilled fullbacks: just look at Arkansas and West Virginia, which have two of the best running backs in the game. A skilled fullback can provide essential blocking in I-Form, Strong, or Weak formations, utilized in option offenses, or even provide a short passing thread out of the backfield. The chart below reveals the top ten rated fullbacks in NCAA Football 08. Key statistics include speed, catching, carrying, break tackle, and run blocking.

The Option

The option play generally separates NCAA playbooks from Madden playbooks (though the option play has crept up from time to time in the NFL). The pure option play is easily recognized; the quarterback takes the snap and moves either right or left along the line of scrimmage. The running back follows close to the quarterback. Depending on what the defense does, the quarterback can keep the ball and run up field or—if defenders are close—pitch to the running back.

There are other varieties as well. A triple option play includes the fullback; hold down the snap button after hiking and you will hand off to the fullback on a dive or blast play. You'll also find pass plays out of the option. Instead of running across the line of scrimmage, open the passing targets using the snap button and hit a receiver downfield.

The green patterns on offensive plays are auto-motion. Many of these plays open up new option possibilities. In this Jet Sweep Pass you can hand off to the motion man or remain in the pocket for a pass.

Some of the new auto-motion plays (jet sweeps, etc) are like option plays. You can hand off to the motion receiver behind the line of scrimmage, fake the hand off and run with the quarterback, or drop back for the pass. The option is unpredictable, which makes it difficult to defend. The opposing defense must decide not only whether to defend run or pass but then must commit tacklers to stop a scrambling quarterback or an outside running back (not to mention avoid cheating up and getting beat by the long pass).

Utilize motion to add additional blockers or to pull defenders away from your option running lane. For instance, in a two tight end set (set up on both sides of the line), you can use motion to shift one tight end over to pair with the other one for extra blocking. On the flip side, use motion to shift receivers to the opposite side, which can pull away defenders and leave a more open running lane.

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