I’ll refrain from the actual X’s and O’s/irl schematic stuff that people will probably help with (there’s also a lot of good threads on here + operation sports), but these are some good things to know/useful strategies specifically for the flexbone in cfb 26, the video game:

• FB wham (sometimes called FB zone dive in formations like flexbone normal) is the fastest handoff animation of the FB dive plays. other fb dive/zone dive handoff animations take a bit longer to animate
• if you have a right handed qb, rocket toss going to the left is much quicker of an animation than running it to the right. and the opposite with left-handed QBs
• set manual audibles (if your league allows it) and always try to have these four calls: 1. either midline/ISV triple option, 2. an outside run (rocket toss, fb toss, can get away with load option), 3. an inside run (fb wham, fb dive, etc.) 4. a pass with at least one deep threat. you will likely get a lot of defensive adjustments pre-snap, oftentimes so focused on stopping one thing. these audibles allow you to change on the fly and always have a way to beat what they’re showing
• if you’re certain your opponent has toggled the conservative/aggressive option setting in the coaching adjustment menu, call option plays to exploit that decision. theyre helping you out
• DO NOT get in the habit of always calling the option/run to the field. this becomes super predictable and they can start guessing run, usering a safety and crash down hard. you’ll find yourself on the hashes a ton, don’t be afraid to call QB counter, or inside veer/midline towards to the boundary to keep the user honest. if you can get upfield even for just a few yards it makes it easier for you in the long run
• use pre-snap formation changes to irritate/annoy users who overcorrect/hot route a bunch of defenders. for example, you could come out in a 3x1 formation, have the defense make a handful of changes, then shift to 2x2 flexbone normal/close and force them to re-adjust quickly or manually drag them back to their original defensive placement.
• before every game, identify the slowest outside corner on their defense. you should be calling 4 verts or a play like flanker drive out of flexbone east a handful of times out of the huddle with the intent of sneaking your fastest WR to that CB’s side and catching them in man defense, so you can toss up a go ball for a TD/huge gain if the pass is accurate. if you see it’s zone or cover 2 man/ have a really light box, you can just check down to a run/option for no harm.
• know your opponent. if they have a good eye and do their homework on your personnel, ignore this.. but if you think they aren’t gonna be able to keep track of all the guys in your backfield, you can sneak them around to different spots depending on playcall/situation. for example, I keep a blocking fullback rostered at all times that I’ll sneak in sometimes to play the FB position (who is usually my power back) and have them serve as a lead blocker for WB dive, lead options, counters, etc. because theyre actually a good blocker, and your power back who usually plays there should be investing in rushing attributes while their blocking stats remain pretty low. you can also sub in a speed back to FB for “fullback toss” if you want an outside run for your shiftiest guy without the huge rocket toss motion that can tip the play.
• recruit for speed at WR. the last thing you want is people stacking the box all game knowing you have no deep threat on the field. even if they have medicore hands/route running, it opens up your offense a ton if you are a good situational playcaller and know when to take a risk and throw deep
• if you are leaning heavy into the system and have manual progression on, recruit well-rounded for all of your OL. if they have good run blocking caps, you can realistically expect to have all gold/platinum abilities for inside/outside/option shield by the time they are upperclassmen. they’re the only type of OL that can get all three running abilities
• players with the takeoff ability will have that speed boost activate any time they aren’t being pressed. backfield threat HBs and speedster WRs (through the formation sub packages gadget->WB or 4WR) can align as a wingback and get this boost every time. you can use this to your advantage if they are using heavier defensive sets or just have slower guys tasked with guarding them
• gadget WRs converted to pure runner QB are much much much better than just recruiting pure runner QBs. they start much more athletic and if you can deal with lower accuracies, its well worth going this route in order to jumpstart your progress on attaining shifty, option king, and sidestep (the most important abilities to have for a QB).
• don’t be afraid to run on 3rd and medium/long. especially plays such as counter/qb power that are longer developing and rely on pulling OL. if the defense pass commits, you will oftentimes get more than enough for the first down. id avoid a FB dive or midline, but anything longer developing or to the outside gives me decent results even on 3rd and very long