Stopping the Power O

[nickroccanti]

Does anyone have any good tips for stopping the Power O?

In my online dynasty their is 1 guy who wins every year.
He runs the same formation for most of the game (i formation).

With that he will run Power O 60% of the game, other rushing plays 20% and pass 20%. The problem is nobody can stop the Power O run. He gets a good 5-6 yards EVERY play.

I run a 4-3 defense and will use try to use a lot of 4-4 against him. But still doesn't stop him. He is able to just find a hole and hit it every time.

Any ideas or tips? im ready to go crazy trying to figure out how to stop it.

[Strategy101]

Re: Stopping the Power O

Personally I cant say it works for sure, as I dont find myself having to stop it, but I find myself GETTING stopped by it a lot are the following; (I use a lot of I-formation/variants myself)

1) Inside A/B gap LB blitzes- Come right in where the pulling guard left open. I get NAILED a lot in the backfield if its timed just right. Personally you may want to try either a 5-2 double LB blitz up the middle, or a 4-3 blitz with two LBs coming (MLB and strongside LB). This is assuming its power O play specifically. If he's ALWAYS running to the strongside of the formation (side with TE) then get used to blitzing that gap left by the pulling guard. Again if you time it correctly its pretty easy to get to the HB before he even really gets started, or chase him down from behind.

2) Strongside/outside pressure. Again if he's always running to the strongside of the formation then you can also try sliding the D line towards that side and then use an LB yourself to blitz around the TE and hopefully hit the HB before he gets out of the backfield. Coming wide on the blitz is very important as very often the FB will go straighter upfield rather than wider and sometimes it gives you a free path to the HB.

3) CB blitz - I've noticed this one can work really well if the CB managed to not even get touched by the WR on the block. Personally I would ONLY run this one if you KNOW he's going to run the Power O play (I'd hate to get burned on a pass). Again make sure to slant the DE's towards the strongside of the formation so the CB should get a free run right to the HB. Control a LB to make sure you contain the run if the CB doesnt get to him.


Negative plays are really the best hope for slowing down a run heavy player. They force them to abandon the run more often because you've taken them out of their ability to just 3-5 yard you every play for continual first downs. It can be a bit riskier obviously, but personally I find its very hard to stop I formation/variant runs once they cross the line of scrimmage simply because that FB+TE side often gives you the numerical advantage and allows you to put a HB against a SS/FS and usually you're still falling forwards for 3-4 yards if they do manage to tackle you, and if not, its usually a 10 yard gain or more by the time a LB catches up to make the play.

Like I said though, the most trouble I've had with the Power O play being stopped myself is the blitz that comes RIGHT through the gap left by my pulling guard and hits me maybe a half second after I've just gotten the ball in my hands.

Try some of these in practice mode first to get a sense of timing and placement.

[InspectahDeck]

Re: Stopping the Power O

Sounds like you should dump that league. Someone running the same play 60% of the time is not even close to sim. Why don't you bring it up with the commish and league mates? Cleanup your OD and you won't have to worry about cheesers.

[1GATOR FAN]

Re: Stopping the Power O

Sounds like you should dump that league. Someone running the same play 60% of the time is not even close to sim. Why don't you bring it up with the commish and league mates? Cleanup your OD and you won't have to worry about cheesers.

I was about to say the same thing...

[Bullet Sponge]

Re: Stopping the Power O

Sounds like you should dump that league. Someone running the same play 60% of the time is not even close to sim. Why don't you bring it up with the commish and league mates? Cleanup your OD and you won't have to worry about cheesers.

Pffft. People go to the "cheese" card too fast. Cheese to me is really about exploiting some AI weakness. If a player can't stop a legit play, and power running plays are legit plays, then the coach of that team would be stupid NOT to keep running it. Teams do this in real life. It isn't cheese.

I've only seen a Power running offense be unstoppable like that if the running team just has a lot better lineman and backs. In that case they can steamroll a lesser team unless that teams starts really stacking the box. 5-2, 4-4, blitzes. Even then it's hard to stop.

I can say I have a decent running team and the CPU can and will force me to mix it up and shut me down if I run too much, unless it's just a terrible defense.

[99ovr]

Re: Stopping the Power O

Pffft. People go to the "cheese" card too fast. Cheese to me is really about exploiting some AI weakness. If a player can't stop a legit play, and power running plays are legit plays, then the coach of that team would be stupid NOT to keep running it. Teams do this in real life. It isn't cheese.

I've only seen a Power running offense be unstoppable like that if the running team just has a lot better lineman and backs. In that case they can steamroll a lesser team unless that teams starts really stacking the box. 5-2, 4-4, blitzes. Even then it's hard to stop.

I can say I have a decent running team and the CPU can and will force me to mix it up and shut me down if I run too much, unless it's just a terrible defense.

Exactly. Everyone cries "cheese" before even trying to exhaust all of their in-game options. I implore everyone to really consider how balanced this game is and start questioning your first instinct to cry "cheese" when you run against a tough opponent.

OP - next time, come out in Goal-line D. And maybe you just don't have the personnel - it's college football, inequality happens. What you have to do is start targeting the strongest recruits you can and make a defensive package specifically for this player.

[slingstone]

Re: Stopping the Power O

I'd have to agree with Bullet. If any team can run a play that another team can't stop, that's not cheese. Haven't you ever watched a game (college or NFL) and seen a team run the same play a number of times? Some teams bank on the superior ability of their athletes to run a "bread and butter" play in the face of almost any opposition. It's not cheating. It's football. There is no whining in football.

The first thing we have to consider is whether Nick has the athletes to match up to whoever Power-O guy is using in his incredibly successful power running game. Look at his line, Nick. Is he subbing in back-up tackles in the tight end slots? As a guy that loves to run strong-side, my favorite thing is to put super blockers, esp. athletic tackles, into the spots normally reserved for the TE's, and maybe even put a good TE over in the wide receiver position. Putting T's on linebackers and TE's on cornerbacks is a great way to put those defending players on their butts and allow my backs to rack up the yards. It's also a way for inferior teams to block the run against superior defenses, fyi.

So, #1, Nick, I'd look at the match-ups.

Second, man coverage is generally the best way to stop the run. Blitzing can be good, but if your opponent breaks through, it's just like finding a gap on the pass...he's gonna make you pay. That said, some zone schemes do throw ends and LB's outside, which may provide some run support on runs to the outside.

Finally, use the option to "play" the run. If he has a nasty habit of running strong side, then play to defend the run to that side. If you do this, all of your players will key to a run in the direction you select, which can be a nasty surprise for your Power-O pal. Watch his patterns. If he runs one way most of the time, or when in a certain formation, then defend to that side. Be aware that if he's a canny old goat, he might make you pay by running to the other side or passing, but if he's as consistent as you say he is, I'm betting with the right play and preparation on the part of your defense, you can stymie him. Does he motion folks to the side he's running to block? Defend that side.

Now one more caveat: I'm not an online player, so it's possible that my schemes won't work against another player over the 'Net. However, they've worked fairly well against my AI and human competition at home (and I think they're based on good, basic football principles), so I think they should at least help you.

Remember, most good defenses try to stop the run first, because an opponent who can run on you can control the clock and tire your defensive front seven to the breaking point. If you can force a guy to pass, then you've got him in the palm of your hand. A pass play has only one good end result for the offense: a completion. Forcing your opponent to go to the air is always preferable, because a ball in the air is just waiting to be tipped or even picked.

[1GATOR FAN]

Re: Stopping the Power O

I don't care what you guys say I would get the heck outta that OD. No way would that be fun to play, I don't care if you should be able to stop it or not.

60% of the time? Are u kidding me... That's not sim play

[Bolts Boy 123]

Re: Stopping the Power O

Slingstone hit it right on the head. Run commit and make a defensive package for you fellow player.

[slingstone]

Re: Stopping the Power O

Umm...if I knew what my opponent was doing even 60% of the time as a defensive coordinator, I think I might just about cream myself thinking about all the tasty things I was going to do to him on the field. I mean seriously, it's like a doggone MasterCard commercial: Stopping your idiot opponent from running his "can't miss" play...priceless. Maybe the jackwagon in question might learn the value of a balanced offense. Or at least the value of choosing a variety of running plays. Run strong side and then counter to the weak, perhaps?

Elementary, my dear Gator.

[1GATOR FAN]

Re: Stopping the Power O

I would bet all money that if someone did that to you and you couldn't stop it you would be singing a different tune.

If you like playing someone who runs the same play 60% of the time then by god more power to you.

[slingstone]

Re: Stopping the Power O

The whole point is that I would stop his...err...posterior. Cold. He might still win if he could conceive of using something other than his "power" play, but, by God, he wouldn't run that crap on me all game. Not if he wanted to win. I'd back his behind so far down the field with TFL's that he'd wonder if my offense was on the field.

My assessment: easy win. Even if he's playing Alabama and I'm playing FCS SE, if I know where he's going almost every down on offense, I've got at least a shot at stopping him. On even terms, unless he changes his "offense", he's done. It's more fun for me as I show him the virtues of a balanced offense, setting up my scoring drives with a coherent scheme that uses different formations to build expectations in the defense that are shattered by misdirection.

[Strategy101]

Re: Stopping the Power O

The whole point is that I would stop his...err...posterior. Cold. He might still win if he could conceive of using something other than his "power" play, but, by God, he wouldn't run that crap on me all game. Not if he wanted to win. I'd back his behind so far down the field with TFL's that he'd wonder if my offense was on the field.

My assessment: easy win. Even if he's playing Alabama and I'm playing FCS SE, if I know where he's going almost every down on offense, I've got at least a shot at stopping him. On even terms, unless he changes his "offense", he's done. It's more fun for me as I show him the virtues of a balanced offense, setting up my scoring drives with a coherent scheme that uses different formations to build expectations in the defense that are shattered by misdirection.

I have to agree with you, especially when it comes to a specific run play. Most run plays are simple man-on-man, numerical advantage plays.

Pass plays are different, most pass plays that "cheesers" run over and over and over are either routes that are "broken" as far as coverage goes, or they throw their #1 WR at #3-5 and make sure they match them up on your MLB or something.

If you think running "smashmouth" football is cheesing (60% is not that bad), then what do you think Navy or mid 80's-90's Nebraska was? Heck what do you think Wisconsin is these days? They run basically the same few run plays over and over and over. (directed towards 1GATOR FAN)

Running is pretty simplistic as far as "schemes" go, and considering NCAA has like 80 plays per playbook, and 1/3 of them are the same plays in different formations, while another 1/3 are totally garbage(play action I'm looking at you!), you're left with like 20 or so effective plays... and when it comes to running the ball, there isnt much variety.

I like running A LOT of the same formation (I-form/variants) simply because you have NO idea if I'm running or passing, and if you stack the run I audible to pass, and if you play 2 deep safeties (no 8th man in the box) I'm changing the play to HB smash/off tackle and getting 3-5 yards pretty much everytime.

I assume the guy he's playing has likely recruited good run blocking O-lineman and likely has a solid RB as well. College football is a lot more unbalanced than the NFL, and most people's idea of "sim football" doesnt apply.

College is all about "we're gonna do this until you show us you can stop it."


***Onto the topic of the OP***

- I should have also mentioned the pre-play run keys like a couple guys after me mentioned. I think if you do as I instructed first combined with the pre-play run keying to the strongside (assuming he's always running strongside) you'll have pretty good success I think, so long as you have decent talent on defense and you're not just getting overpowered by better athletes.

The preplay keying really does help, as your CPU controlled defenders make much better reactions and a lot quicker.

[1GATOR FAN]

Re: Stopping the Power O

The whole point is that I would stop his...err...posterior. Cold. He might still win if he could conceive of using something other than his "power" play, but, by God, he wouldn't run that crap on me all game. Not if he wanted to win. I'd back his behind so far down the field with TFL's that he'd wonder if my offense was on the field.

My assessment: easy win. Even if he's playing Alabama and I'm playing FCS SE, if I know where he's going almost every down on offense, I've got at least a shot at stopping him. On even terms, unless he changes his "offense", he's done. It's more fun for me as I show him the virtues of a balanced offense, setting up my scoring drives with a coherent scheme that uses different formations to build expectations in the defense that are shattered by misdirection.

Not my point. You can say you would stop jesus him self that don't mean you could/can... I'm asking you if somebody ran the same play 60% and you couldn't stop it would you still like playing then?

Don't think so talk is talk until you do it you're self.

[Bullet Sponge]

Re: Stopping the Power O

I would bet all money that if someone did that to you and you couldn't stop it you would be singing a different tune.

If you like playing someone who runs the same play 60% of the time then by god more power to you.

It's not for you you to decide how your opponent picks their plays, it's for you to stop them. Excepting obvious exploiting/cheesing broken AI, I don't have a problem with people running whatever the heck they want. And if have a lousy defense and he has a powerful running attack, you just have to do your best and take it like a man. Mixing up play calling just for the sake of mixing it up is not what "realism" is, you mix up plays to keep your opponent off balance and get an advantage. If they can't stop a certain play, you call it. A lot. That IS realistic.