Free Report: 25 Plays From The Oklahoma Offense (2020 Season)

Free Report:
25 Plays from the

Oklahoma Offense
(2020 Season)
ALEX KIRBY
ThrowDeepPublishing.com
Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Transaction: 4833

Copyright © 2021 Throw Deep Publishing, LLC
All rights reserved.

OTHER BOOKS BY ALEX KIRBY
101 Red Zone Plays
2020 Coastal Carolina Offense Scouting Report
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PLAY 1 – FAKE INSIDE ZONE WHAM H-BACK DUMP
GAME TIME D/D YARD LINE

vs Baylor 10:12 2Q 2nd & 10 -49
This is a scheme that several teams in college football have called once or
twice in a season, as a constraint play off of their split zone / inside zone
wham scheme. The typical play call is to just have that H-back slide into the
opposite flat and get open for a high-percentage throw, but instead of doing
exactly what the defense expects, he pivots and gets vertical as soon as he
clears the right tackle.
The play takes a little longer to develop, which is why it’s so hard to pull off.
Still, if you’ve got a speedster at that H-back position you should think about
adding this to your playbook.

FREE REPORT: 25 PLAYS FROM THE 2020 OKLAHOMA OFFENSE
PLAY 2 – PA WIDE ZONE BUBBLE-SLANT H-BACK DELAY

vs Baylor 5:47 4Q 3rd & Goal +8
This play is designed to look like an RPO, but it’s really a play action
concept.
A delayed release by the H-back makes it really hard for the defense to
cover him, since depending on their rules the defender responsible will either
come on the blitz, or drop to match another receiver in the pattern and leave
a space open in the coverage.
Against a defense with a middle of field open look, the H-back can slip right
down the middle unbothered for a touchdown.

PLAY 3 – COUNTER WK GT H-BACK FLAT SCREEN

vs Kansas 13:09 1Q 1st & 10 -45
This was Oklahoma’s first play of the game, and something Lincoln Riley
wanted to place special emphasis on to give Kansas something they hadn’t
seen before on film.
That’s why there is likely no real read on this play, and the throw to the
H-back was predetermined from the start. That backside inside linebacker
has spent all week being coached up on how to fit the counter scheme
properly when he sees those pullers moving away from him. Now, on the first
play of the game, those keys take him the wrong way.
He gets stuck inside waiting to come over the top on a run play that never
materializes, and the ball is flipped out to the flat for a high-percentage throw
and a six yard gain.

PLAY 4 – COUNTER WK GT DOUBLE PASS THROWBACK TO QB

vs Kansas State 3:03 1Q 1st & 10 +49
This is a very clever twist on the double pass trick play from Lincoln Riley.
The QB will open up and carry out the counter read mesh with the back, then
pull the ball and flip it (backwards) to the slot receiver after attacking the line
of scrimmage to sell the option keeper. The play is intended to look like a
spread triple option with a pitch (or bubble).
Once the slot receiver catches the football, he’s going to set up, give it a
moment, and then throw the ball back to the QB, who by this time is
streaking downfield and looking for the ball again.
This particular play didn’t result in a completion, but it’s something you never
see from other teams, and it puts something on film for future opponents to
have to prepare for.

PLAY 5 – QB DRAW RPO

vs Oklahoma State 9:24 3Q 2nd & 10 -25
The QB will take the snap, drop back and give his key defender a look before
deciding what to do. In this case that’s the strong outside linebacker, apexing
himself between the Y and the H.
The run scheme is combined with a very common flare screen option to the
field side designed to stretch the defense wider and clear up the picture for
the QB on this play.
Even with that nickel safety playing down low, the offense has enough
numbers in the box to get a man-for-a-man and create an opportunity for the
QB, and if he decides to get it out wide to the back on the flare, it’s a
matchup you should want.
The back will be one-on-one in open space with the corner, and he should be
able to either make him miss or just break one tackle.

PLAY 6 – X MOTION INTO INSIDE ZONE WHAM X RUB RPO

vs Texas 10:09 1Q 3rd & Goal +2
The tight, compressed area of the goal line is traditionally a place where you
see more and more rub routes than almost any other area of the field.
The X receiver motions into the formation tight, and it could be for all sorts of
reasons as far as the defense knows. He could be crack blocking on the
down linebacker, he could be looking to get leverage to block out in the alley,
or he could be trying to run a crossing route in the other direction.
One thing the QB needs to watch here is how the defense lines up and then
reacts to the motion. If you know you’re going to get a “corners over” look
here, then it’s a much better play call. Still, if those two corners switch off
when the X goes in motion, and the slot corner mirrors his motion the rest of
the way into the formation, it tells the QB that they will be ready to switch off
in case of a rub concept like this. As a result, it may be a better idea just to
hand off the ball on the run play.
At the snap, the QB will open up and carry out the mesh fake with the back
and then immediately look to get the ball out wide on the flat route.

PLAY 7 – PA INSIDE ZONE JET CURL RPO

vs Texas Tech 5:14 1Q 1st & Goal +9
Whenever you’re facing an odd-stack defense like the one Texas Tech
specializes in here, you’ve got all sorts of threats to worry about if you’re
going to be able to move the ball consistently in the pass game. That free
safety in the middle of the field is a mystery man, because his assignment
could be either run-first, or pass-first depending on the coverage called.
This is why you’ve got to be extra creative down here in the red zone and
find ways to occupy him, and those other alley players and make them
wrong.
Here, Oklahoma has two backs on the field, and one is lined up in the slot
running jet motion. At the snap, the QB opens up and carries out the mesh
fake, keeping his eyes on the free safety, peeking backside for just a second
to hold him in place, and throwing to the Z curl route in the end zone.

PLAY 8 – CORNER-STOP-UNDER

vs Oklahoma State 0:50 2Q 3rd & 5 -30
These boundary concepts are great for getting a receiver open against the
kinds of 4-over-3 coverages that so many defensive coordinators specialize
in.
With the tailback check-swing route moving to the field, this moves that
linebacker stacked over the nose out to the field, and removes another
underneath defender from the equation.
The #3 receiver breaks out on the post-corner route, and takes the near
linebacker and the free safety with him. The linebacker will pass the route off
to the safety and pivot back with his eyes to the middle of the field, but he’s
not covering anything other than grass.
This creates a one-on-one opportunity for the other two receivers to the short
side of the field, and somebody has to go win.

PLAY 9 – FIB TRIPS Z BACKFIELD OPTION

vs Texas 11:34 2Q 1st & 10 -25
This play is an interesting use of special formations and alignments.
The first time I saw this scheme on film I was watching Dan Mullen’s Florida
offense from the 2020 season, and they had Kadarius Toney lined up in that
backfield spot. For Oklahoma, it’s #14 Charleston Rambo lined up in the
backfield.
The Sooners use this as a tempo call, with everyone lining up quickly and
flipping the strength to the boundary. The formation gives Rambo lots of
empty space to the field to work with on his option route, and it also opens up
space for the curl route behind him.
Consider adding this one to your arsenal if you’re looking for new ways to get
your best guys out in space.

PLAY 10 – QUADS OVER TB MOTION AWAY SMASH-SLANT Y SEAM

vs Florida 0:51 2Q 1st & 10 +21
There seem to be an unlimited supply of unbalanced quads formatons in

college football these days, with one of the four guys becoming ineligible
10

based on alignment. For those of you who remember, it should bring back
memories of the “A-11” style of offense (Google it).
This kind of call can be a cheap and easy way to get someone free in the
secondary, especially when you add the late shift element to it so that the
defense doesn’t have much time to recognize this.
Just before the snap, the QB will send the back in motion, which moves
another defender out of the middle, and creates a ton of empty space in the
middle of the field for the Y tight end, who is now eligible after the late shift.
11

PLAY 11 – SHIFT TO SPRINT OUT TAILBACK RUB

vs Florida 8:09 3Q 3rd & Goal +3
Here’s another creative shift from the Sooners in their bowl game against
Florida.
This time Oklahoma will line up in 12 personnel, in what looks like a double
tight end I-Formation (with the X receiver lined up at FB). Then, the whole
12

offense moves to a 3x1 gun alignment, with both of those tight ends in a tight
alignment.
The tailback motions across the formation to the strong side, creating an
incredibly condensed quads look just before the snap, that’s ripe for all kinds
of pick/rub possibilities.
This play is designed to create an easy high-percentage throw to the tailback

in the flat, and that’s what happens. After the snap, the QB moves on a kind
of “half-roll” to his left to give the back time to clear out and get open.
If the defense jumps the route, both the Z and the X receivers are crossing
into the picture later to provide extra threats to that side. In this case, the first
read is wide open for another Oklahoma touchdown.
13

PLAY 12 – TREY H-BACK OFF IZ WHAM SLANT-FADE

vs Iowa State 5:15 1Q 4th & 1 +11
Here’s another unique formation with the #3 receiver ineligible to catch a

pass. In those cases, the best thing for him to do is exactly what he’s
assigned to do here, run some kind of horizontal route that presents himself
as a threat while not getting downfield and becoming illegal.
This call gets you a hat-for-a-hat on fourth and short, as well as providing a
possible RPO throw if that free safety gets moved out of the way, or you like
the matchup on the X receiver.
14

PLAY 13 – POWER WK BOOT STRONG BUNCH RUB

vs Iowa State 12:12 1Q 1st & Goal +4
This is another great goal line rub route, and the pulling guard really helps
sell it to the defense.
Even in this era of constant gun offenses, having a QB reverse out from
center and carry out a play fake that takes much longer to develop ends up
being even more effective in holding the defense in place for longer periods
of time.
The bunch look here creates a lot of space for that H-back coming out of the
#3 spot, since the Z isn’t technically blocking anyone with his hands, but he’s
taking a hard inside release and pivoting back, standing at the goal line and
presenting an easy target.
Even if the corner switches off successfully and takes away that flat route,
there’s a crossing route coming from the backside by the X that is headed
toward the back pylon and presenting another threat.
15

PLAY 14 – PA COUNTER GH DOUBLE COMEBACK

vs Iowa State (Champ) 14:46 1Q 2nd & 7 -38
Here we have another play fake with a pulling guard, and some split flow by
the backs in the backfield.
Oklahoma loves the counter play from all different looks and variations, so
naturally they’re going to have many different constraints and play action
concepts off of it, like we’ve already seen earlier in this report.
This play happens really quickly, with the QB taking the snap and carrying
out the mesh fake with the tailback, and finding the slot receiver down the
middle for a quick gain.
If you’re facing a team with aggressive linebackers who read flow and pursue
aggressively, these kinds of concepts can give you quick and easy ways to
create space for your athletes.
16

PLAY 15 – PA JET SWEEP POWER READ VERTS

vs TCU 7:32 1Q 2nd & 8 +40
The next aggressive vertical call we’re going to examine is this variation off of
four verts, where the QB is carrying out a power read fake with jet motion
from the X receiver.
TCU sends the nickel off the edge on a blitz, perhaps as an automatic
response to the jet motion, and so now there’s one less defender to carry a
vertical route to that side.
The H-back does a good job of sitting down in a wide open hole once the FS
abandons him to attack the flare route, but the QB Spencer Rattler decides
to pull the ball and take off to the boundary under pressure, picking up a nice
gain.
17

PLAY 16 – NAKED BOOT H-BACK FLAT SCREEN

vs Texas Tech 14:45 2Q 2nd & Goal +4
Here’s another version of the H-back flat screen we went over earlier, only
this one is built around the inside zone wham action that opponents will see
a lot of.
Just before the snap, the H-back will come in short motion tight to the
formation, as if he’s going to execute that wham block on the opposite end
man.
The QB will take the snap, carry out the mesh fake with the back, and then
get the ball to the H-back in the flat. The Z receiver isn’t doing anything illegal
here, he’s just getting to the same depth as the apex defender and
establishing himself first in that spot.
What ends up happening here is that you get a big, tight end body out on the
edge with the ball in his hand, and he really only needs to get a yard or two
for the score. If it plays out the way it’s supposed to, the only guy standing in
his way is the corner. You’ll take that every time.
18

PLAY 17 – 2X2 FLEX MESH H-BACK SLANT

vs Missouri State 13:37 1Q 1st & 10 -42
Like any offense with its roots in the Air Raid, Oklahoma loves “Mesh”.
You’ll see it as much as any other pass concept in this offense, and in this
case, the formation and backfield alignment has set off some alarm bells on
defense.
As you go through several games from Oklahoma, you’ll notice that the few
times they line up in a formation like this one with the back in front of the QB,
the defense knows it’s a pass and lines up in a heavy pressure front like this
one.
Keep your eyes out for this when you’re watching the Sooner offense on film,
most defenses give a similar look to this backfield set.
19

PLAY 18 – 2X2 FLEX MESH TB WHEEL

vs Kansas State 7:19 4Q 3rd & 10 -36
Here’s another variation on that Mesh concept, this time with a wheel coming
from the tailback position out of the backfield.
Even if you’re not going to hit the tailback on the wheel because he’s
covered, the combination of the wheel and the curl route do a good enough
job of clearing out the coverage and opening up space for the crossing route
coming from the other side of the formation.
20

PLAY 19 – EMPTY SAIL / RUB-UNDER

vs Texas Tech 11:39 1Q 3rd & 12 -23
The NFL pass game is full of formations designed to force the defense’s
hand before the snap, and in the past few years that’s trickled down to the
college game as well.
The idea is that if you line up your backs and tight ends wide like you see
here, the defense has to respond accordingly. If they move a linebacker or
safety out wide over the top of the back, it’s almost certainly man coverage. If
they send a corner out there instead, it’s probably zone.
Oklahoma has this play in the playbook for just that reason, and on 3rd and
long they’ve got a concept on both sides designed to beat man or zone. To
the right side, the three-man concept is designed to create a rub against a
man look. To the boundary, the sail route is designed to get open against a
zone look right around the sticks.
21

PLAY 20 – TRIPS H-BACK OVER INSIDE ZONE WHAM

vs Baylor 12:04 1Q 2nd & 10 +10
Oklahoma will use unbalanced sets as much as any other team in college
football, especially the closer they get to the goal line.
Here the Sooners actually bring an extra offensive lineman on the field to
add some extra muscle at the point of attack, and create more movement for
the cutback lane.
The H-back starts out wide, then motions into the formation and kicks out the
end man, with the idea being that he’s creating a crease for the back to run
through.
22

PLAY 21 – COUNTER GT WK INVERTED READ PITCH

vs TCU 14:45 1Q 1st & 10 -39
This is one of the many variations Oklahoma has off of their counter scheme,
and it’s one you’ll see quite a bit around college football.
The QB will open up to the back, read the end man on the line, and either
pitch it to the back, or keep the ball and pivot the other way following his
blockers.
Lincoln Riley scripted this up for the second play of the game against TCU as
a way to set the tone and protect his top run scheme and make the backside
linebacker think twice before trying to read pullers and come over the top of
the down block.
23

PLAY 22 – Z JET SWEEP WK

vs Texas Tech 10:53 3Q 2nd & Goal +4
We’ve already spent time talking about the advantages of lining up under
center from time to time, even in this gun-heavy offense.
Another sticking point is the speed at which you can get the ball out and in
someone else’s hands when you’re under center vs in the gun. This comes in
handy when you’re near the goal line and the space (and reaction time) of
the defense is cut way down.
Oklahoma lines up in a compressed look with the Z extra tight to the

formation, and a quick motion and snap gets the ball to the opposite edge in
a hurry.
If you can catch the defense lined up tight to a compressed look like this one,
it’s a lot easier to seal them inside, and you don’t need a perfect block, you
just need to get in the way.
24

PLAY 23 – NAKED BOOT H-BACK FLAT SCREEN

vs Florida State 11:02 4Q 1st & 10 -31
This is a concept you’ll see A LOT from Oklahoma, and they’ll find plenty of
different ways to run it, including out of a two-back look like we see here.
The slot receiver will cross the formation, line up out wide, and then start to
motion back inside in order to create momentum and leverage for when he
needs to get in the way for the flat route.
If it’s man coverage, that corner will probably start by chasing the X receiver
and will have to recover and change direction before he can tackle the player
in the flat.
25

PLAY 24 – FAKE RPO TB DELAY SCREEN WEAK

vs Iowa State 7:52 1Q 2nd & 6 -35
This was one of my favorite plays to draw up from Oklahoma as I went

through the season.
The Sooners offense is well-known for RPOs, so they’ve found lots of ways
to create plays that emulate this look but force defenses to play disciplined
longer. The genius of this play is that it uses the defense’s instincts and
habits against them.
Just like with play action, once the QB has carried out the mesh and the ball
is NOT in the running back’s hands, defenses are more likely to ignore him
as a threat. In their minds, the decision has already been made and he’s not
getting the ball. At this point, the QB usually will either keep it himself (option)
or find another receiver to get it to (RPO/play action).
Instead, the QB will carry out the fake, keep his eyes downfield and dropback
for a count, then dump the ball underneath once again as the backside guard
pulls around and clears a path.
26

PLAY 25 – TRIPS READ SCREEN OPTION

vs Kansas 12:56 1Q 2nd & 10 +39
If you sit down and watch a real amount of college offense you’ll eventually
see a form of this play, what’s often referred to as a “read screen”.
The idea is pretty simple: You’ve got a flare screen to the wide side of the
field, and a backside threat, usually a slant, and it’s up to the QB to read the
pursuit and either take the high-percentage throw backside or get the ball in
space to the back.
Based on the pre-snap look here, it’s an easy decision. Kansas comes with
the blitz showing late, but Spencer Rattler lofts it to #29 Rhamondre
Stevenson, arcing the ball over the outstretched fingertips of the defense and
picking up a big gain.
This is an answer for a heavy field blitz as long as you can get the throw
where it needs to be in that case.
27

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Free Report: 25 Plays From The Oklahoma Offense (2020 Season)

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25 Plays from the

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All rights reserved.

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Transaction: 4833

101 Red Zone Plays

2020 Coastal Carolina Offense Scouting Report

2020 BYU Offensive Scouting Report

The Big Book of Belichick

The Big Book of Saban

Breaking into Coaching with No Experience

Prepared exclusively for [email protected] Transaction: 4833

GAME TIME D/D YARD LINE

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PLAY 2 – PA WIDE ZONE BUBBLE-SLANT H-BACK DELAY

GAME TIME D/D YARD LINE

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PLAY 3 – COUNTER WK GT H-BACK FLAT SCREEN

GAME TIME D/D YARD LINE

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PLAY 4 – COUNTER WK GT DOUBLE PASS THROWBACK TO QB

GAME TIME D/D YARD LINE

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PLAY 5 – QB DRAW RPO

GAME TIME D/D YARD LINE

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PLAY 6 – X MOTION INTO INSIDE ZONE WHAM X RUB RPO

GAME TIME D/D YARD LINE

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PLAY 7 – PA INSIDE ZONE JET CURL RPO

GAME TIME D/D YARD LINE

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GAME TIME D/D YARD LINE

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PLAY 9 – FIB TRIPS Z BACKFIELD OPTION

GAME TIME D/D YARD LINE

This play is an interesting use of special formations and alignments.

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PLAY 10 – QUADS OVER TB MOTION AWAY SMASH-SLANT Y SEAM

GAME TIME D/D YARD LINE

There seem to be an unlimited supply of unbalanced quads formatons in

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PLAY 11 – SHIFT TO SPRINT OUT TAILBACK RUB

GAME TIME D/D YARD LINE

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This play is designed to create an easy high-percentage throw to the tailback

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PLAY 12 – TREY H-BACK OFF IZ WHAM SLANT-FADE

GAME TIME D/D YARD LINE

Here’s another unique formation with the #3 receiver ineligible to catch a

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PLAY 13 – POWER WK BOOT STRONG BUNCH RUB

GAME TIME D/D YARD LINE

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PLAY 14 – PA COUNTER GH DOUBLE COMEBACK

GAME TIME D/D YARD LINE

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PLAY 15 – PA JET SWEEP POWER READ VERTS

GAME TIME D/D YARD LINE

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PLAY 16 – NAKED BOOT H-BACK FLAT SCREEN

GAME TIME D/D YARD LINE