The 50 Most Trusted Play Calls in College Football

With the constantly evolving offenses in the college football landscape, there are plenty of different play calls that have evolved over the years and others that have grown in popularity more recently.

Teams have tried everything from odd formations to trick plays and everything in between.

Some play calls are more trusted than others, but sometimes risks must be taken in order to win the game or pull off an upset.

Here are the 50 most trusted play calls in college football. All of these plays have been tried and completed successfully, some a little easier than others.

50. Hail Mary

Starting off the list of course is the Hail Mary. Perhaps one of the most entertaining plays in sports, the Hail Mary is a last ditch effort to win a game.

While it has a success rate that is likely lower than any other play in football, don't tell that to Doug Flutie, who used the Hail Mary to pull off a miracle in Miami.

49. Fumblerooski

The fumblerooski is one of many trick plays that has proved successful on more than one occasion.

It was made famous in the 1984 Orange Bowl when the Nebraska Cornhuskers tried the play against the Miami Hurricanes when they were trailing by 17 points.

The center snaps the ball to the quarterback who runs like he has the football even though he leaves it sitting on the ground for the guard to scoop it up and take it the other direction. Pretty risky if you ask me.

48. Fake Statue of Liberty

Everybody has heard of the Statue of Liberty, but the fake Statue of Liberty is something that is certainly not as popular.

The Oregon Ducks perfected it in 2007 against the Michigan Wolveries when quarterback Dennis Dixon faked the handoff to the running back and stood there for a split second before taking it to the house on foot for a Ducks touchdown.

47. Hidden Ball Play

Who else besides the 'ol ball coach would perfect a play like this. Steve Spurrier used it way back when to benefit a Florida Gators offense that certainly did not need any help scoring points.

The quarterback drops back and kind of huddles together with a few running backs and maybe a wide receiver before they turn and run in different directions.

The only problem for the defense is who the heck has the ball?

46. Hook and Ladder

The Hook and Ladder is a play that has been used by a number of different teams. One of those is Utah who pulled off the trick in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl against Pittsburgh.

The quarterback throws a pass to a wide receiver who in turn flips it to a running back or another wide receiver who typically will have a nice open lane.

Didn't Boise State use this play too?

45. Sweep Pass

This play is so easy, even little kids can run it. It is generally designed for a running back to run to the outside like he is going to run a sweep, but then pass the ball to a receiver down the field.

It is most typically used by a team with a running back who can pass the ball a little bit. Or a receiver can be used to throw the pass as well.

44. Statue of Liberty

As shown earlier, Oregon perfected the fake Statue of Liberty play, and they also know how to run the regular Statue of Liberty play as well.

In this play the quarterback pump fakes and holds the ball behind him for a second before handing it off to the running back. 

There is also the possibility in this play of the quarterback holding onto the ball before throwing it downfield.

43. Reverse Flea Flicker

The flea flicker has been made famous by a number of different tams and it is used on all different levels of football.

But, what about the reverse flea flicker. This play takes a little more work, but when run right it can be very successful.

42. Two Quarterback Set

There is no question that there are some very talented quarterbacks in college football. Some of the best athletes now play the position.

Ohio State and the ultra-conservative Jim Tressel pulled a little trick play out of his hat when he lined up Terrelle Pryor at wide receiver and backup quarterback Todd Boeckman threw the ball up to him in the end zone for a touchdown.

41. Jump Ball

The jump ball pass is similar to the famous Hail Mary, but on a slightly lesser scale.

It is used by a lot of teams and is especially effective for those with a big wide receiver.

Here Georgia Tech shows just how easy it can be especially with a talented receiver like Demaryius Thomas.

40. Fake Field Goal

There is nothing like a nice fake field goal and Michigan State showed how well it can work if executed properly.

The Spartans pulled off the trick in overtime on a do-or-die play that proved to be the game winner against Notre Dame.

Brian Kelly certainly does not look too happy.

39. Boise State 2-Point Conversion

The Boise State two-point conversion came on the biggest stage of them all as they knocked off Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl in one of the craziest endings of all-time.

It was similar to a Statue of Liberty play, but a little quicker than that typical play.

Bob Stoops certainly disapproves.

38. Reverse Pass

The reverse pass can be run from anywhere on the field, but is most often used when there is a lot of green to work with.

The quarterback will hand the ball off to a wide receiver who is coming behind him. The receiver will then continue running toward the sideline and throw the ball down the field to a sometimes wide open receiver.

37. Flea Flicker

Is there anything that Andrew Luck can't do?

The flea flicker is another weapon in his arsenal.

During this play, the ball is handed to the running back who moves forward before flipping it back to the quarterback. The quarterback then throws the ball downfield to a wide receiver.

36. Double Reverse

This play is so easy, even a first grader can do it.

The double reverse is just like a reverse, just with another change of field added in. This play is often run by teams with speedy receivers.

Looks pretty easy right?

35. Halfback Pass

The halfback pass can be run a number of different ways and does not necessarily have to be run out of the shotgun like in this video.

During the play, the running back will take the ball and run to the outside before throwing the ball down the field to the wide receiver.

An easy play to complete no matter what level.

34. Fake Punt

There are many ways to run a fake punt, but USC simply knows how to run it best.

The most exciting fake punt in my book is when the punter runs straight up the middle for the first down.

Take a look to see it executed properly.

33. Option Shovel Pass

The option can be run a number of different ways and one way to do it is with a short shovel pass forward.

Here the quarterback can run out to the side and bait the defense into thinking he is going to cross the line of scrimmage before throwing a short shovel pass forward and letting him do all the work.

32. Wide Receiver Slant

The wide receiver slant is a simple play that is designed to gain a few yards and when executed properly, it is nearly impossible to cover.

Here it took the cornerback being all over the wide receiver to prevent the pass from being caught.

31. Reverse

A reverse used to seem like a trick play, but today, it is something that is used very often, almost every game.

The quarterback drops back and hands the ball to a receiver who can take it around the corner. The best way to use this play is with a speedy receiver who can get to the outside.

30. Running Punt

This play is great for teams who do not want to get a punt blocked or who are trying to kick the ball away from a dangerous punt returner.

The punt will usually be a low line drive that will bounce down the field and not allow the return man to get his hands on it.

29. Onside Kick

This is typically the ultimate desperation play and is often used when teams need to get the ball back at the end of the game.

Here is an instance where Oregon goes for the onside kick even with a big lead.

Quite a way to run up the score, but still part of the game.

There are many ways to complete the play and this is one of them.

28. Fake Spike

Everybody knows about the spike, but what about the fake spike?

Texas Tech loved to put some points on the board and with a receiver like Michael Crabtree, why waste a down with a spike.

Quarterback Graham Harrell realizes that and goes for the spike fake, which results in a touchdown for the Red Raiders.

27. End Around

The end around is similar to a reverse, without as much extra activity involved.

During this play, the wide receiver will go in motion and get a hand off directly from the quarterback. This play is often used out of the shotgun in the spread offense.

One again, Oregon has perfected it.

26. Fake Handoff on a Kickoff Return

The fake handoff is exactly how it sounds. The man with the ball will fake a handoff to the other return man who runs behind him.

Here the play did not work exceptionally well, but this is a high reward play that could allow a team to go the distance at any time.

25. Naked Bootleg

The naked bootleg is one of my favorite plays in football and if it is run properly, it can make for an easy touchdown.

The play is most often run close to the goal line and is better with a quarterback who can move, but even a bigger quarterback can easily find his way to the end zone and possibly catch the team off guard as well.

Here is Mark Sanchez running it to perfection. This is how its done.

24. Post Pattern

The post pattern is a wide receiver route that can be run out of many different formations. There are a few different patterns, but the receiver will take some type of route toward the field goal post.

This play has been around for a long time and is a favorite among the most talented quarterbacks.

23. Triple Tight Ends

Now known as 'Tight End U', Stanford uses their tight ends like no team in college football and they know just how to do it.

The Cardinal have three tight end sets in nearly 40% of their plays.

While the triple tight end set is not just one play, it is certainly something that is hard to stop. 

22. Punt

The punt can be one of the most useful plays in football and is a way to completely change the field of play.

Here Georgia Tech punter Durant Brooks had quite a game.

A good punter is a weapon not a lot of college football teams have.

21. Screen Pass

The screen pass can be a deadly play for the offense, particularly if the defense is putting a lot of pressure on the quarterback.

Here with Tennessee trying to rush the passer, California decides to run a little screen pass against the over-pursuit of the Vols defense.

It certainly works in this instance.

20. Go Pattern

The go route is another pass play that involves one step to the inside and then the receiver runs straight down the field attempting to outrun the defense.

This is a great play to run when the defense is playing tight coverage or some type of man to man.

19. QB Draw

The quarterback draw can be a deadly weapon, particularly against defenses who are rushing the passer.

Here Zach Collaros who was filling in for the injured Tony Pike shows just how easy it is when the play is called at the right time.

Head coach Brian Kelly dialed this one up for the Bearcats.

18. Curl Route

The curl route is used by teams to pick up a few quick yards and the distance of the route can vary. Hines Ward is a player who seemingly uses it well.

During the play, the wide receiver runs out a set amount of yards, stops, does a curl, and turns around to hopefully find the ball in his lap.

As shown, it can be run at any level.

17. Field Goal

A field goal can be the difference in a college football game and this was the case in a Oregon-USC matchup.

Some teams feel much more confident than others when it comes to kicking a field goal and it all comes down to what kind of kicker a team has.

At the college level, kickers tend to fold a little more under the pressure than those in the NFL.

16. Sweep

A halfback sweep is designed to get a running back out of the tackle box and take the ball up field using their speed.

The running back will take the ball and follow his blockers to the outside before turning it up the field.

15. Direct Snap/Wildcat

The Wildcat is a type of offense that developed in recent years and puts a running back in the backfield acting as the quarterback.

The shotgun snap will come directly to the running back who then moves the ball up the field, similar to any other type of run.

Running back Ronnie Brown was said to be the first man to run the wild cat when he did so for the Miami Dolphins in 2008.

14. Hitch & Go

The hitch and go is one of the most fun plays to watch. The quarterback drops back to pass and then sort of gives it a pump fake to get the defense to bite.

After the pump fake, the quarterback will then throw the ball deep down the field to the wide receiver who could be wide open if the cornerback bit on the pump fake.

13. Halfback Off Tackle

The halfback off tackle run is just a simple play that can go to either the right or left side, off the tackle at that position.

It can be run out of many different formations and has been around for quite some time now.

The grind it out college football offenses love to run this play.

12. Play Action Pass

The play action pass is one of the most useful plays in the arsenal of any offense.

During this play, the quarterback drops back to pass and fakes a handoff to a running back, trying to get the defense to bite.

After holding onto the ball for a split second, he looks downfield to find an open receiver. Ryan Mallett and Arkansas run it perfectly right here.

11. Running Back Pitch

The running back pitch is a play that is similar to a sweep, but instead of the quarterback handing the ball off, he instead pitches it to the running back.

Even though it may seem a little more risky, it really is not and has very high reward.

This play is best to run out of the I-formation.

10. Taking a Safety

There have been countless teams who have held a slim lead toward the end of the game and been backed up near their own goal line.

Instead of punting it away on fourth down and giving the other team excellent field position, many have chosen to take a safety and give the team two points in addition to the ball.

This may seem like a dumb thing to do, but it pays off more often than not.

9. Halfback Draw

There are a few different ways to run the halfback draw, but perhaps the best way is out of the shotgun as Kansas displayed here.

The quarterback gets the ball and holds on to it for a second until the defense begins to pursue. He then hands it off to the running back who seemingly is in a lot of traffic, but once he gets by the initial defenders, there is room to run.

8. Squib Kick

The squib kick is the ultimate 'I'm afraid of the kick returner' way to get out of things.

Many teams will squib kick it not only to avoid a dangerous kick returner, but also if the game is near the end and there is no chance of the offense having any time after the play is over.

The main purpose is to get it to an offensive lineman. In the case of this video it did not work too well, but in most instances it certainly does.

7. Option

The option is one of the oldest plays in college football and can be run a number of different ways. Some prefer to run it out of the shotgun, while others do not.

One school that has made a living out of running the option is Nebraska. The Cornhuskers have always had cornerbacks who could run the option and do it well.

The quarterback is given the option of either keeping the football or pitching it to the running back behind him.

6. Coffin Kick

The coffin kick is a type of punt that is meant to not only keep the ball out of the hands of a dangerous punt returner, but is also used to pin the other team back near their own end zone.

The kick can either bounce out of bounds or sail out before crossing the goal line.

Either way it can make for a great change in field position.

5. Fullback Dive

The fullback dive is a basic play that is often used in goal line situations.

It is best when a larger fullback can get the ball and only have to rumble a few yards to score a touchdown.

This is a dying play in college football, but is one of the safest when in need of a yard or two.

After all, who wants to bring down a big, bruising fullback.

4. Quarterback Sneak

The quarterback sneak is similar to the fullback dive and is often used in goal line situations or on other short yardage plays when the team is in need of a yard or two.

It certainly works best when the quarterback is a little bigger, enabling him to be able to take a hit or two.

Here is a perfect example.

3. Spike

We have already discussed the fake spike, but the spike is certainly one of the most trusted play calls.

All the quarterback has to do is run up to the line of scrimmage and stop the clock. This is often used at the end of a game or toward the end of a half to stop the clock.

The offense must remember though, that it does count for a down. Colorado though did not.

2. Extra Point

The extra point is the easiest way to score points in college football or at any other level.

It has been one of the most trusted ways to score in college football history.

An extra point is even so easy that a wide receiver can do it. Check out Wes Welker in this video.

1. Victory Formation

The victory formation the easiest play to execute in football.

When your team is in the victory formation, it is time to celebrate.

Has the victory formation ever failed a team? I don't think so.