How to Run Lincoln Riley’s USC Air Raid in College Football 26
Lincoln Riley transformed USC the moment he arrived in Los Angeles, installing a modernized version of the Air Raid that instantly produced one of the most explosive offenses in the country. With Caleb Williams at the center-combining elite mobility, creativity, and arm talent-the Trojans flourished through tempo, spacing, vertical shots, and clever backfield motion.
In College Football 26, you can replicate that exact system using a blend of clean reads, motion-based manipulation, and aggressive deep play designs. And if you’re looking to build out your roster faster or unlock key customization options, many players choose to buy College Football 26 Coins to streamline the process. This guide breaks down the essential passing concepts and run calls so you can run Riley’s USC offense with consistency and explosive efficiency.
1. Motion Wise Sail - Your Foundation Play
Formation: Spread Wide Slot Weak
Motion Wise Sail is a classic Air Raid concept built around simple high–low reads that work against every coverage.
Setup:
· Align your running back to the short side of the field.
· Put the short-side slot receiver on a whip route.
· Stem the wide-side slot receiver one notch upward.
· The running back triggers an auto motion into the flat.
Reads:
· Wide-Side High–Low: Always start by reading the flat defender.
o If he bites on the RB in the flat, hit the deep out.
o This deep out also wins consistently vs man coverage.
· Middle Dig: If the user or linebacker vacates inside to help outside, fire the dig behind them.
· Checkdowns:
o Whip vs zone
o Running back in the flat
· Vs Man: Whip, dig, and deep out are all reliable depending on leverage.
This play gives you a safe, repeatable rhythm throw that matches exactly how USC started drives under Riley.
2. PA Flutter - Your Go-To Shot Play
Formation: Wing Trio Weak
Every great offense needs a “dial-a-chunk” call, and PA Flutter fills that role. This deep flood concept can score a one-play touchdown vs Cover 3 and forces defenses to respect your vertical game.
Setup:
· Trips to the wide side.
· Backside solo receiver on a corner route.
Reads:
· Corner Route (Primary): Open vs almost every coverage.
o Against zone, drop it over the flat defender.
o Against man, expect clean 3–4 yards of separation.
· Deep Post:
o Attacks the middle if the user stays outside.
o Beats Cover 2 and Cover 4 between the safeties.
· One-Play TD vs Cover 3:
o Corner holds the boundary deep defender.
o Post holds the middle safety.
o Inside deep over breaks free over the top for a bomb.
· Checkdown: RB after the play action whenever pressure hits early.
3. Motion G Down - Explosive QB Run
Formation: Spread Wide Slot Weak
Riley pushed the run game further than most Air Raid coaches, leaning on designed QB runs. Motion G Down is the most dangerous of them.
Why It Works:
· Auto-motion receiver seals the edge.
· Pulling guard and RB lead into the alley.
· Not a read option, so option-defense adjustments can’t stop it.
Hit the edge, follow your blocks, and use an athletic QB to turn this into consistent 20+ yard gains.
4. RPO Alert Slant - Triple-Threat Decision Making
Formation: Wing Trio Weak
This RPO gives you three clear answers to any defensive reaction.
Reads:
· Throw Screen:
o If the defense collapses inside, immediately fire the bubble.
· Slant:
o If linebackers jump inside at the mesh, hit the backside slant behind them.
· Run:
o If both screen and slant are covered, hand off behind your pulling lineman with a numbers advantage.
This play punishes defenses for being wrong - exactly what Riley built his offense on.
5. Motion Dash Flood - The Caleb Williams Rollout
Formation: Wing Trio Weak
This play mirrors USC’s real-life bootleg and rollout game, letting you attack while on the move.
Setup:
· Trips wide.
· Backside receiver on a slant or shallow cross.
Reads:
· Deep Corner (Primary): Nearly unstoppable unless the flat defender plays at 25+ yards.
· Shallow Cross: Perfect vs users trying to cut the corner route.
· Flat to RB: Easy chain-mover when deeper routes are covered.
· QB Scramble: Rollout creates natural lanes - attack green grass.
6. Motion PA Cross - Classic Air Raid Y-Cross
Formation: Spread Wide Slot Weak
This play combines auto-motion eye candy with one of the Air Raid’s most iconic concepts.
Reads:
· Deep Crosser:
o Throw early if linebackers bite.
o Throw late if the flat defender stays shallow.
· Post Sit: Perfect soft-zone beater once the user chases the crosser.
· Checkdowns: Auto-motion flat and RB flat.
This is your chain-moving, coverage-manipulating staple.
By mastering these core concepts, you can recreate the full USC Air Raid inside College Football 26. And if you’re looking to build out your team faster with cheap CFB 26 Coins, you’ll have even more flexibility to tailor your roster to the scheme. Combine motion, spacing, and an athletic quarterback, and you’ll put defenders in constant conflict-exactly the way Riley built his offense around Caleb Williams.