[jbrew2411]

To the OP, I don't know how much learning the X's and O's will help you become a better gamer. I coached high school football for 10 years and I can tell you that the game is nothing like what I do on Friday nights. What I can do is offer you some insight having played the NCAA series since 1998.


Offense:


The key to running a good offense is making sure you have the players that fit what you do. This does require some insight to the real life game. It all starts with the type QB you have.
-"Pocket Passer" this is a QB that has good arm strength and accuracy but is not a good runner. I would suggest running a Pro style, Spread, or Air Raid.
-"Scrambler" this is a QB that has really good running ratings but lacks the accuracy of a "Pocket Passer." I would suggest running a Pistol or traditional option playbook.
-"Balanced" this is a QB that is what is considered a "Dual Threat" in the real world. These guys can run or throw making them the most deadly weapon. I would suggest running a Spread, Pistol, or Spread option playbook.


Once you know what type QB you have and the playbook that fits them best then you can go from there.


Calling running plays:
The best advice I can give you here is know your tailbacks abilities. If you have a slower back that is what is considered a "Down Hill Runner" or in the game a "Power" back then you want to run more between the guards and center. These guys are better running straight ahead then trying to get outside.
If you have a back that has more speed and acceleration, 90-99 in both, then you can run more outside running plays that takes you outside the tackles, Left and Right Tackles or the 2 outside offensive linemen. These guys are also great in the passing game as well.


Calling passing plays:
When calling pass plays know where you are on the field. If you are on the left hash mark, you will have less room on the left and more on the right, then you want to call plays where your receivers go back towards the right. So if you have a receiver on the left side of the formation running a out to the sideline or a flag route (it will take the receiver towards the sideline) then they are out of the play because you have such little room to throw the ball. The same works if you are on the right hash mark you will want routes going towards the left or middle of the field.
If the ball is in the middle of the field then almost ever pass play is open. I have coached with and against coaches that don't understand field position when it comes to play calling.


What to look for at the line before the snap:
If you have called a run play you want to look at where the play takes you and how the defense is lined up. If you are going to the right and the defense has given you one more guy to that side then you have blockers then you will need to a) move a extra blocker to that side or b) flip the run to the opposite side since you should have a man on man.
If you have called a pass play then look at where the DBs are positioned. If they are playing off coverage, a 5-10 yard cushion, then that might mean they are in zone coverage or if the corners are up on your receivers or the safeties have moved up close to the line then they should be in man or blitzing the safety. This is what I love to see because the coverage is in your favor at that point.


At the snap of the ball:
In run plays I am watching how the defense is flowing. If I am running right and the defense is flowing towards the right then I know I can cut back once my tailback gets the ball turning a lose into a 4-5 yard gain. If the defense goes man on man then I just follow my blockers allowing them to set the once they do I hit the "speed" button to run through the hole. Once you get past the line you might have to then break outside or cut back to allow your second level blocks to set. The goal I have on run plays is 5 yards, if I get 5 per run then I know I will be moving the ball.
For passing plays at the snap I am looking at the middle of the field to watch what the middle linebacker and 2 safeties are doing. if the move backwards then I know it is zone or if they move towards one of my backs, tightends, or receivers then that should mean man coverage. I can then start through my reads. Based on knowing if the defense is in zone or man allows me to know where the holes will be based on the routes my guys will be running. You need to know what each guy is running to know where the coverage will be weakest. This is the only time in the game my real life coaching experience helps me. Since the game is so basic it is so easy to find the holes once you play enough, but that does not mean you will always complete the pass since the guys do unhuman things at times.


Some finial advice on offense, you have to know your personal's abilities when calling plays. If you have a weak arm QB or one that has a lower accuracy then you want to keep throws short, under 20 yards, to best maximize his abilities. If you have slower receivers then calling a bunch of "9" routes, these are the ones where the run straight down field, then you want get the separation needed to complete the pass. When throwing the ball try to throw the ball right before the receiver breaks to maximize the potential of a successful pass play. An example is if you have a guy running a deep in, where the receiver runs down field then cuts back towards the middle of the field, then throw the ball right when he breaks, if open, to prevent the DB from picking it off or the middle linebacker from getting a hand on it.


I can post some defensive help if needed, but I think this is long enough as is.