TL;DR: Is Bowling Green's Playbook Worth Running?
Yes — if you want a HIGH-LEVEL scheme with money plays. This playbook has Bunch TE, Trips TE, and Gun Normal Y-Off Close. Those three formations alone make it elite.
Here's the deal: This isn't some gimmicky playbook. It's what TOP players run. You get RPO Alert Bubble (one of the best RPOs in the game), Mesh Spot, and Flood — all proven money plays that work year after year.
Skip the pistol stuff. Focus on Gun Normal Y-Off Close, Trips TE, and Bunch formations. That's where the heat is.
What Makes Bowling Green's Offense Elite?
Three things:
- Money formations — Bunch TE and Trips TE are automatic every year
- Simple setups — Most plays need minimal hot routes
- Balance — RPOs force defenses to respect both run AND pass
This playbook doesn't try to be cute. It gives you proven concepts that WORK.
Which Formations Should You Actually Use?
Gun Normal Y-Off Close
This is where the playbook shines. Two plays you need to know:
Yale:
- Setup: Drag your triangle/Y receiver, then flick down on right stick
- Read it like this: Check the flat QUICK. If it's there, take it. If not, work up to the seam, then back inside
- The slot drag is LETHAL — get eyes on it fast
PA Shot:
- The inside seam from the slot COOKS Cover 2
- Not my personal favorite, but it works
Trips Tight End
One of the best formations in the game EVERY YEAR. Here's why:
RPO Alert Bubble — Listen. This is NOT just "throw the bubble every time." That's how scrubs run it. You MUST make them respect the run. Be willing to hand it off. It's a Run-Pass OPTION, not just a pass.
Curl Flat — OG play I've run for years. It just works.
Bunch Tight End
Another elite formation. The plays that matter:
- Mesh Dig — Awesome
- Curl Flat Corner — Good
- Tight End Corner — Great
- RPO Alert Bubble — Really good this year
Skip QB Wrap — it's not very good.
How to Set Up Mesh Spot (Zone AND Man Beater)
This play from Bunch Offset beats EVERYTHING when you set it up right:
- Out route the ISO receiver
- Flat your outside bunch receiver
- Post your point receiver
Against man coverage: Two routes attack the quick seams. You've got two flat options. The wheel from the tight end opens up — pass lead DOWN and AWAY from the defense. The post over the middle can get open too.
This is a TRUE zone beater that also handles man. Not many plays do both.
When to Use Each Formation
Gun Normal Y-Off Close: Your bread and butter. Start here when you need a safe, reliable drive.
Trips TE: When they're sitting in Cover 2 or you need RPO balance. Forces them to declare their coverage early.
Bunch TE: Red zone or when you need quick-hitting concepts. The condensed formation creates pick plays naturally.
Bunch Strong Offset: Has Flood — one of the best plays EVERY YEAR. Also has Duo for a solid run and Read Option Dagger.
What Formations to Skip
Don't waste time with:
- Pistol formations — they're solid but not exceptional
- Gun Wing variations — fine, just not worth running over the elite stuff
- Doubles — decent but not special
Always ask yourself: "Is this better than the other plays I could be calling?" If not, move on.
Common Mistakes Running This Playbook
1. Throwing the bubble EVERY TIME on RPOs — You're telling the defense they don't need to respect the run. Hand it off sometimes.
2. Not reading slot drags fast enough — Whenever you have a slot drag or TE drag, get eyes on them QUICK. They're open early.
3. Running pistol over gun — The gun formations in this playbook are superior. Don't get cute.
Why This Playbook Works at High Levels
Top players run this because it's SIMPLE and EFFECTIVE. You're not memorizing 50 hot routes. You're running proven concepts with minimal setup.
The RPO game forces defenses into bad spots. They crowd the box? Hit the bubble. They play off? Hand it off. It's not complicated — it's just execution.
Plus, you have a "plethora of quality options" as I like to say. You'd be greedy to ask for more.
This is one free tip on Bowling Green's offensive scheme. Members get the full playbook breakdown with more plays and setups, updated weekly. → civil.gg/become-a-member