Chapter 4 - Defensive Playbook

Fans of the defensive side of the ball may find NCAA Football 09 a struggle. Offense definitely assumes the forefront this season and mastering a tough, stingy defense is a distinct challenge. This section covers everything you need to know about the NCAA Football 09 defense, including team playbooks, formations, packages, on-the-field execution, and the top ranked impact defenders.

Team Defensive Playbooks

All I-A NCAA Football 09 college football teams utilize a particular defensive playbook. You can change your defensive playbook at the team selection screen. The table below reveals all NCAA Football 09 teams and their specific defensive playbook. Continue through this section of the game guide for additional details on each playbook, defensive formations, and packages.

TEAMDEFENSE PLAYBOOK
Air Force Falcons3-4
Akron Zips3-3-5
Alabama Crimson Tide4-3
Arizona Wildcats4-3
Arizona State Sun Devils4-3
Arkansas Razorbacks4-3
Arkansas State Red Wolves4-3
Army Black Knights4-3
Auburn Tigers4-3
BYU Cougars3-4
Ball State Cardinals3-4
Baylor Bears4-3
Boise State Broncos4-3
Boston College Eagles4-3
Bowling Green Falcons4-3
Buffalo Bulls4-3
Cal Golden Bears4-3
Central Michigan Chippewas4-3
Cincinnati Bearcats4-3
Clemson Tigers4-3
Colorado Buffalos4-3
Colorado State Rams4-3
Connecticut Huskies4-3
Duke Blue Devils4-3
ECU Pirates4-3
Eastern Michigan Eagles4-3
FIU Golden Panthers4-3
Florida Gators4-3
Florida Atlantic Owls4-3
Florida State Seminoles4-3
Fresno State Bulldogs4-3
Georgia Bulldogs4-3
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets4-3
Hawaii Warriors4-3
Houston Cougars4-3
Idaho Vandals4-3
Illinois Fighting Illini4-3
Indiana Hoosiers4-3
Iowa Hawkeyes4-3
Iowa State Cyclones4-3
Kansas Jayhawks4-3
Kansas State Wildcats3-4
Kent State Golden Flashes3-4
Kentucky Wildcats4-3
LSU Tigers4-3
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs4-3
Louisville Cardinals4-3
Marshall Thundering Herd3-4
Maryland Terrapins3-4
Memphis Tigers4-3
Miami Hurricanes4-3
Miami University Redhawks4-3
Michigan Wolverines4-3
Michigan State Spartans4-3
Mid Tenn State Blue Raiders4-3
Minnesota Golden Gophers4-3
Mississippi State Bulldogs4-3
Missouri Tigers4-3
NC State Wolfpack4-3
Navy Midshipmen3-4
Nebraska Cornhuskers4-3
Nevada Wolf PackMultiple D
New Mexico Lobos3-3-5
New Mexico State Aggies3-3-5
North Carolina Tar Heels4-3
North Texas Mean Green4-3
Northern Illinois Huskies4-3
Northwestern Wildcats4-3
Notre Dame Fighting Irish3-4
Ohio Bobcats4-3
Ohio State Buckeyes4-3
Oklahoma Sooners4-3
Oklahoma State Cowboys4-3
Ole Miss RebelsMultiple D
Oregon Ducks4-3
Oregon State Beavers4-3
Penn State Nittany Lions4-3
Pittsburgh Panthers4-3
Purdue Boilermakers4-3
Rice Owls4-2-5
Rutgers Scarlet Knights4-3
SMU Mustangs4-3
San Diego State Aztecs3-4
San Jose State Spartans4-3
South Carolina Gamecocks4-3
Southern Miss Golden Eagles4-3
Stanford Cardinal4-3
Syracuse Orange4-3
TCU Horned Frogs4-2-5
Temple Owls4-3
Tennessee Volunteers4-3
Texas Longhorns4-3
Texas A&M Aggies4-3
Texas Tech Red Raiders4-3
Toledo Rockets4-2-5
Troy Trojans4-3
Tulane Green Wave4-3
Tulsa Golden Hurricane3-3-5
UAB Blazers4-3
UCF Golden Knights4-3
UCLA Bruins4-3
UL Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns4-3
UL Monroe Warhawks4-2-5
UNLV Rebels4-3
USC Trojans4-3
USF Bulls4-3
UTEP Miners3-3-5
Utah Utes4-3
Utah State Aggies4-3
Vanderbilt Commodores4-3
Virginia Cavaliers3-4
Virginia Tech Hokies4-3
Wake Forest Demon Deacons4-3
Washington Huskies4-3
Washington State Cougars4-3
West Virginia Mountaineers3-3-5
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers3-4
Western Michigan Broncos4-3
Wisconsin Badgers4-3
Wyoming Cowboys3-4

Defensive Formations

Each playbook features a unique set of defensive formations. Formation names reveal the number of linemen, linebackers, and defensive back personnel. For example, the 4-3 formation uses four linemen and three linebackers. The 4-2-5 formation employs four linemen, two linebackers, and five defensive backs. Essentially the first number represents the number of linemen, the second number reveals the number of linebackers, and, if used, the third number reveals the number of defensive backs in the formation.

  • 4-3: 4-3 Normal, 4-3 Over, 4-3 Under, 46 Bear, 4-4 Split, 5-2 Normal, Nickel Normal, Nickel Strong, Nickel 3-3-5, Dime Normal, Dime 3-2-6, Quarter 3 Deep, Goal Line
  • 3-3-5: 3-3-5 Stack, 3-3-5 Across, 3-3-5 Split, 3-3-5 Bear, 3-4 Under, 5-2 Normal, Nickel Normal, Nickel 3-3-5, Nickel 2-4-5, Dime Normal, Dime 3-2-6, Quarter 3 Deep, Goal Line
  • 4-2-5: 4-2-5 Normal, 4-2-5 Over, 4-2-5 Under, 4-2-5 Bear, 4-4 Split, 5-2 Normal, Nickel Normal, Nickel 3-3-5, Nickel Strong, Dime Normal, Dime 3-2-6, Quarter 3 Deep, Goal Line
  • 3-4: 3-4 Normal, 3-4 Over, 3-4 Under, 3-4 Solid, 3-4 Even, 5-2 Normal, Nickel Normal, Nickel 3-3-5, Nickel 2-4-5, Dime Normal, Dime 3-2-6, Quarter 3 Deep, Goal Line
  • Multiple D: 4-3 Normal, 4-3 Over, 46 Bear, 3-4 Under, 3-4 Solid, 5-2 Normal, Nickel Normal, Nickel 3-3-5, Nickel 1-5-5, Dime Normal, Dime 3-2-6, Quarter 3 Deep, Goal Line

Consider the situation when choosing a defensive formation. In a certain passing situation, such as 2nd or 3rd down and long, choose a defensive formation with more defensive backs, which are more skilled at covering the pass than linebackers. In typical run situations, such as short yardage, pick a defensive formation with more linebackers, which are more skilled at stopping the run and tackling the ball carrier than defensive backs.

A defensive formation audible allows you to change coverage without altering the formation.

Before selecting your formation, check the offense's chosen personnel. If the offense has selected a four wide receiver set, then you will need defensive backs to defend them. If the offense chooses a formation with two tight ends and multiple running backs then you can guess that the offense called a running play and you should counter with a linebacker-heavy defense. Nothing is certain, however; don't expect an offense to always pass out of four wide receiver sets or run out of typical run formations.

Tip: Know your chosen team and its best defenders, particularly the impact players on defense. You don't want to continually call a defensive formation or use a defensive package that keeps an impact defender off the field. Also, know your best cover cornerback. You can decide to leave that better corner in man-on-man coverage while assisting the weaker areas of your defense with double-teams.

The chart below lists some advantages and disadvantages of each defensive formation. The "Types" column refers to the formation subsets. These generally refer to the placement of particular defenders. For example, "under" and "over" refer to the placement (either left or right) of linebackers. The formations and subsets are basically identical to last season's game.

FORMATIONTYPESDESCRIPTIONADVANTAGESDISADVANTAGES
Goal LineN/AShort yardage formation. A package can keep an impact or motivated safety on the field.Tightly packed to counter short yardage and goal line situations. Shift the line and linebackers to plug expected run direction.Watch the play action! Easily burned by a long pass—even a quick pass if the defense isn't in alignment. Be prepared to audible out of goal line.
5-2NormalFive defensive linemen, two linebackers, four defensive backs. Use packages to swap in an impact or motivated linebacker if he's off the field.Strong for teams with defensive line depth. Run stopping defense at the line, especially inside runs.Weaker against outside runs unless the defensive ends are especially strong. Runs that penetrate the line can be big gains cause of lack of linebackers. Not a strong pass defense.
4-3Normal, Over, UnderFour defensive linemen, three linebackers, four defensive backs.Standard base defense. Best if you have a strong line over linebackers and fast ends. Covers inside run well and short to medium passes.Beware of the 3+ receiver sets. Outside and option run can be difficult without proper linebacker alignment.
3-4Normal, Over, Under, Solid, EvenThree defensive linemen, four linebackers, four defensive backs.Four linebackers offer a variety of blitz packages. Best if you have strong linebackers over line. Good mobility along the line for outside runs and options. Decent against medium pass as linebackers can cover lanes in zone.Beware of pass-heavy offensive sets. You don't want linebackers covering wide receivers! Somewhat susceptible to inside run depending on linebacker assignments and their abilities.
4-4SplitFour defensive linemen, four linebackers, three defensive backs. Use packages to swap in an impact or motivated safety if he's off the field.Additional linebackers can protect outside run. Many blitzing options. Strong against runs and short passes.Only three defensive backs will put a lot of pressure on your corners and safeties. Beware of trip WR sets or greater or play a safer zone defense.
46BearSix at the line, two at the linebacker position, three in coverage.Puts pressure on the quarterback and can defend runs at the line. Lots of blitz opportunities and coverage disguises.Vulnerable to quick passes with so many at the line. Avoid using against pass-heavy formations unless you have the pass rushing skills to get at the quarterback quickly.
4-2-5Normal, Over, Under, BearFour defensive linemen, two linebackers, five defensive backs. Use packages to swap in an impact or motivated linebacker if he's off the field.Nickel secondary to cover pass plays (three WR sets) and a good defensive line could still get pressure on the QB. Linebackers can blitz or be in their zone. Better for teams with a stronger secondary than linebackers.Can be weak against a run that gets through the line--only a couple linebackers between the ball carrier and secondary. Stay in zone if you think opponent may run.
3-3-5Stack, Across, Split, BearThree defensive linemen, three linebackers, five defensive backs.Five defensive backs to cover the pass with three linebackers available to cover run or provide additional pressure on quarterback. Better for team with strong linebackers and secondary and weaker line.Unless you use some LBs or DBs blitzing, the three-man line may not adequately pressure the quarterback. Can be vulnerable to inside runs with the lack of line defense.
NickelNormal, Strong, 3-3-5, 2-4-5, 1-5-5Five defensive backs. Use packages to swap in an impact or motivated linebacker if he's off the field.Added defensive back to protect against the pass. Use against 3 WR sets. Other nickel formations add additional linebackers if your group is particularly skilled or deep.More vulnerable to run plays. Defensive backs are generally worse tacklers.
DimeNormal, 3-2-6Six defensive backs. Use packages to swap in an impact or motivated linebacker if he's off the field. The 3-2-6 removes a defensive lineman and adds a second linebacker.Strongest against the certain passing situations. Six defensive backs can cover a lot of area, particularly in zone. Use against four and more WR sets.Watch for a run audible at the line and beware of quarterback scrambles, especially if your defensive backs are in man coverage and moving away from line of scrimmage.
Quarter3 DeepSeven defensive backs.When you're certain your opponent is going to pass!With so many defensive backs, you are vulnerable to an unexpected run play. But often you will be in long yardage situations anyhow.

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