RPO

QB G/H Counter RPO

North Texas came out in Week 0 with a nice game plan. This Red Zone wrinkle was particularly impressive. Quarterback Austin Aune has enough juice to be a running threat and this particular call was reminiscent of some of the things Seth Littrell did in his time at North Carolina with QB Marquise Williams. QB Counter with an RPO RB Rail out of the Backfield. If the defense fits Counter, throw the Rail. If the defense bails to Rail, keep Counter.

  • Formation Unbalanced to the Field (X is covered up)

  • H-Back Off

  • QB G/H Counter

  • RB Rail

  • QB Reads Leverage on the Rail while attacking downhill

Haters will say this is illegal man downfield, but they probably coach defense. I said this often in The Ultimate Guide to Counter, but the best way to run RPO tags with Counter is with G/H Counter. Ideally the Guard kicks out and the (eligible) H-Back climbs to the LB which prevents illegal man downfield. North Texas gets into a little bit of trouble when the Left Tackle Climbs to the Mike LB. Whenever you call an RPO, tell that “Deuce” Block to be a little more patient - don’t chase, wait to gather the LB when he comes to you.

All that being said, this is a nice little RZ play that can cause some confusion for the Defense.

Power RPO

Over the past few years RPO’s have popped up in every level of football, but the recent nuances added by Offensive Coordinators has given new power to the scheme. Condensed Formations increase run game threats, but they can be hard to run RPO’s out of because the Glance Window is smaller. Alabama has found a solution by using a leverage release to create separation and open up the Glance Window from a Condensed Formation.

  • Motion from 3x1 Nub TE to 2x2 (TE/Wing with a WR)

  • Same Side Power to the TE/Wing Side

  • TE Base Blocks 7 Technique

  • RT & RG Double the 3 Technique - Climb to Mike LB

  • C Blocks Back on the 2i Nose

  • LG Pulls (Wrap for Will LB)

  • LT Protects B-Gap out to the DE

  • Same Side Power

  • QB Reads the Will LB

  • Wing (WR) Runs a “Spray” Release Glance Route

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The Goal is to get the Defense in a Single High Safety so the obvious read for the QB would be the Will LB instead of a Quarters Safety. The “Spray” Release is intended to gain depth & width simultaneously. This gives the QB the same Glance Window as a normal WR Split. The TE/Wing look gives the Offense access to more run game options.