Now, What Defense You Running?

[Collegefbfan]

The game has been out coming up on two months, give or take a couple of weeks. Many of you have played the game way more than me. My extra play time will come over holiday breaks even though I try to get at least 2-3 games in each week.

Only related to playing against the CPU. Just curious:
1) What defense have you settled on for your dynasty?
2) Just provide a couple of reasons why you like that defense.
3) What key players are needed for this defense?

[JakeReaves]

Whatever options coach suggests, but I try to pick zone on all of them.

[thedudedominick]

I've been having fun using the 3-3-5 and playing a ton of zone behind it. I usually control the weak side linebacker to help out with the run defense. I pinch my D line and try to bounce everything out to my LBs and SSs.

To play it like I expect my team to, I recruit tons of DBs. I usually move CBs to S and Ss to LB. DL I try to get more DTs and move them both the DT and DE as those guys are just there to occupy blocks for me.

If the AI ever tries going power running all game I will struggle, but it really works well against teams running out of the shotgun. I accept that teams will have more size and strength than me and I am willing to take the trade off with having more speed on the field and linebackers that can cover the pass.

[jello1717]

I LOVE the 3-4 and that’s all I played in ‘14 (and my defenses were always VERY good) so that’s what I tried in ‘25 and we were TERRIBLE. I doubt my defense could’ve stopped a decent HS offense. So is switched to 4-2-5 and almost instantly we became way better.

I’ve used 4-2-5 crappy schools like ECU, UAB, ODU, and Louisville and we are almost always in the top 10 defenses in the country.

I thought maybe it’s not that 4-2-5 was better, but I just learned how to play a next gen football game so a couple weeks ago I switched back to a 3-4 and STUNK up the joint for 5 games once again being incapable of stopping anyone’s offense. I switched back to 4-2-5 and again instantly became a top tier defense.

TLDR:
1. 4-2-5

2. It works for me. It’s much more boring than 3-4 with only 2 formations rather than 6, but it works.

3. 2 stud LBs, solid SSs, and a stout DL.

[GoDucks1224]

Quote: Originally Posted by jello1717

I LOVE the 3-4 and that’s all I played in ‘14 (and my defenses were always VERY good) so that’s what I tried in ‘25 and we were TERRIBLE. I doubt my defense could’ve stopped a decent HS offense. So is switched to 4-2-5 and almost instantly we became way better. I’ve used 4-2-5 crappy schools like ECU, UAB, ODU, and Louisville and we are almost always in the top 10 defenses in the country. I thought maybe it’s not that 4-2-5 was better, but I just learned how to play a next gen football game so a couple weeks ago I switched back to a 3-4 and STUNK up the joint for 5 games once again being incapable of stopping anyone’s offense. I switched back to 4-2-5 and again instantly became a top tier defense. TLDR: 1. 4-2-5 2. It works for me. It’s much more boring than 3-4 with only 2 formations rather than 6, but it works. 3. 2 stud LBs, solid SSs, and a stout DL.

Agreed, 4-2-5 is by far the best scheme in the game. But I also use 3-3-5 cause I love the pressure that I get from blitzes out of that scheme, particularly the stack formation. But I typically substitute the second 'sub LB' with a big safety for the extra pass coverage.

[Ghost Of The Year]

A sort of multiple defense. I have every single play from every single formation and those formations subsets, with the exception of the 335, which I only have something like 5 plays. But I would call my ''base'' defense a Cover 6 defense, as I plan my attack from there and work other concepts in as needed.

[ShadowsAndDust]

4-3, though I do end up running most of my plays out of the nickel.

[Collegefbfan]

Quote: Originally Posted by ShadowsAndDust

4-3, though I do end up running most of my plays out of the nickel.

Yeah, this is me. I was looking to run another defense. I have tried a few of them. I feel that this defense fits my team, and my team fits this defense better than the rest. The other defenses are more flashy, of course, but you gotta do what ya gotta do.

With the 4-3, and even being in Nickel most of the time, I was wondering if I should make some changes like others posted. Putting big safeties at LB, etc.