TL;DR: Arkansas State's offensive playbook is worth using for ONE reason — "Sticking Up" is arguably the best play in College Football 26. The short post route with its downward cutting angle beats both man and zone coverage better than any other single play. Add in solid Bunch TE and Trips TE formations nearby, and you've got everything you need to dominate.
Most playbooks have their "money play" — that one setup you can lean on when you absolutely need yards.
Arkansas State has THE money play.
Why "Sticking Up" is the Best Play in the Game
Here's what makes this play special:
- You can block BOTH your halfback and tight end
- Multiple setups available to handle any blitz
- The isolated receiver runs a short post route — but not just any post
This isn't your typical hot-routed post. The stock route has a natural downward cutting angle that's impossible to recreate with hot routes.
Think about it — when you hot route to a post, the angle goes upward. Even if you stem the receiver down first, that hot-routed post still attacks upward.
The flatter, downward-cutting post on "Sticking Up"? It does three things:
- Beats man coverage with better separation
- Gets underneath deep zones in zone coverage
- Creates more distance from defenders and ball hawks
Plus you get a stock return route and tight end drag as bonus options.
How to Set Up the Single Back Wing Tight Formation
This formation gives you two reliable run plays:
- Halfback Dive — old-school, downhill run straight up the gut
- Halfback Stretch — averaging 6 yards per carry over 27 attempts
For the stretch play:
- Use the right stick to flip play direction
- Hold left trigger + push left on right stick to see different blocking assignments
- Motion players by holding B/Circle, then use D-pad to bring extra blockers
Not the flashiest runs in the game. But when you need 4 yards? They get you 4 yards.
What Makes the Bunch TE Formation Elite
This isn't just a good formation — it's comparable to Bowling Green's bunch, which is saying something.
Key plays:
- Whips — the OG annoying play that defenses HATE
- Mesh Dig
- PA Verticals
- RPO Alert Bubble
- Off Tackle run
The variety here is what kills defenses. They can't just sit in one coverage all game.
When to Use Empty Trio Five Wide
Need to spread the defense thin? This is one of the better five-wide formations in the game.
Double Pivot setup: Put your left outside receiver on a comeback route. That's it. Simple but effective.
Also has All Go for when you catch them in the wrong coverage.
How to Hit the Wildcat Jet Reverse Pass
Most people sleep on wildcat formations. Big mistake.
The Jet Reverse Pass can be a one-play touchdown against zone coverage. Catch them expecting run, and it's game over.
What Counters Arkansas State's Offense
The weakness? The Trips TE formation is missing curl flat and verticals — two plays you'd normally want.
Smart defenses will:
- User the middle to take away that short post on "Sticking Up"
- Mix coverages to keep you guessing
- Bring pressure from different angles since you're limited in protection adjustments
But here's the thing — if they're selling out to stop "Sticking Up," that opens up everything else. The bunch formation, the RPOs, the run game.
Common Mistakes Running This Playbook
The biggest mistake? Trying to force "Sticking Up" every play.
Yes, it's the best play in the game. No, that doesn't mean spam it 40 times.
Use the run game to keep them honest. Hit them with RPOs when they load the box. THEN go back to your money play.
Also — don't sleep on Normal Flex Snug. The doubles spread super wide creates some interesting alignment advantages most people never explore.
This is one free tip on Arkansas State's offensive playbook. Members get the full offensive scheme guide with more setups, audibles, and weekly updates on what's working at the highest levels. → civil.gg/become-a-member