College Football 26 Campus Huddle | Title Update October 2nd

Hey there College Football Fans, welcome back to the Campus Huddle! Your source for updates straight from the development team! In this Title Update, we are excited to introduce a new feature coming to Ultimate Team, new Gameplay changes, new uniforms and more! Let’s connect with Eric Rayweather once again to give you a rundown of what is coming in tomorrow's Title Update!

College Ultimate Team - NEW Head to Head Ranked

We’ve heard you. Many of you have been saying that Ultimate Team was missing that sense of competition that felt rewarding. Because of your feedback we’re excited to bring you Head to Head Ranked. 

This is a mode built around competition and growth, where each game pushes you closer to your next milestone. Win or lose, every match matters, and every step forward feels earned.

Let’s get started on how you can begin your journey and take on the competition!

How It Works

• There will be 7 Ranks which you can place depending on how you perform. Each Rank is divided into 3 Tiers. Every player will start out as unranked and after 5 placement games, you will receive your starting rank which could be one of the following: 
  • Bronze
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Elite
  • Hero
  • Champ
  • Top 100
• Rank up by earning enough points in the mode to progress to the next tier. How many points you earn will depend on your win/loss rating and the rank of your opponent
• Players can also be demoted if their point total falls below the range of your current tier.
• Ranked Seasons will reset on the first of every month

Now that you know how to participate and where you could be placed in the rankings, let’s talk about what you will earn for your victories!  

Rewards

Players will earn rewards in multiple ways; by winning games, ranking up, and your placement rewards at the end of the ranked season. Let’s give you the full breakdown of what you can receive! 

• End of game rewards:
  • 5,000 coins for every win.
• Rewards for advancing through Tiers:
  • Bronze
    • Tier 1: 5,000 Coins
    • Tier 2: 6,000 Coins
    • Tier 3: 7,000 Coins
  • Silver
    • Tier 1: 8,000 Coins
    • Tier 2: 10,000 Coins
    • Tier 3: 12,000 Coins
  • Gold
    • Tier 1: 15,000 Coins
    • Tier 2: 18,000 Coins
    • Tier 3: 20,000 Coins
  • Elite
    • Tier 1: 25,000 Coins
    • Tier 2: 30,000 Coins
    • Tier 3: 35,000 Coins
  • Hero
    • Tier 1: 40,000 Coins
    • TIer 2: 50,000 Coins
    • Tier 3: 60,000 Coins
  • Champion
    • TIer 1: 70,000 Coins
    • TIer 2: 80,000 Coins
    • Tier 3: 90,000 Coins
  • Top 100
    • 100,000 Coins
• On the first of the month, if you participated in Head to Head Ranked, you will earn a specific tier of a unique player item depending on what rank you have achieved. For the first reward this year, players will receive the following player item. More details can be found below.
  • Kendal Daniels
  • 6’5 239lbs
  • SS Box Specialist 
  • If you place in the Top 100, you will receive a 92 OVR version. The lower you place, the lower his OVR will be as a reward. 
  • Starting at Hero Division Ranking or Higher, you will be able to change his scheme chemistry for free!! 
  • All versions of Kendal Daniels will be able to swap out his Team Chemistry for free! 
  • You will be able to apply him to any team you wish without having to pay for the change regardless of where you place! 
• Here is a full breakdown of your end of season rewards:
  • Bronze
    • 83 OVR BND Kendal Daniels
  • Silver
    • 85 OVR BND Kendal Daniels
    • 3,000 Coins
  • Gold
    • 87 OVR BND Kendal Daniels
    • 10,000 Coins
  • Elite
    • 89 OVR BND Kendal Daniels
    • 35,000 Coins
  • Hero
    • 90 OVR BND Kendal Daniels
    • 60,000 Coins
  • Champion
    • 91 OVR BND Kendal Daniels
    • 100,000 Coins
  • Top 100
    • 92 OVR Kendal Daniels
      • Abilities Buckets (x3)
        • Gold (-2 discounted AP) + Silver (discounted -3AP)
        • Gold (-2 discounted AP) + Silver (discounted -3AP)
        • Gold + Silver (discounted -2 AP)
    • 250,000 Coins

We hope you enjoy battling it out in the new Ranked mode. Let us know what you think on @EASPORTS_CUT, we’re always on the lookout for your feedback!

Gameplay Updates

Passing Game

• Route Stem Logic Change - Updated route stems to a 3 yard minimum. 
  • DEV NOTE: This change enables defensive backs to read and react more realistically, creating a better balance between offense and defense. By preserving the original route design's integrity, it enhances the authenticity of the gameplay experience and promotes a balanced dynamic between offense and defense.
• Expanded Pass Protection Options - All pass protection types are now available in Coach Adjustments (previously limited to Base).
  • DEV NOTE: Players can now choose from Base, Empty, Half Left, Full Left, Half Right, Full Right or Default. All pre-snap functionality remains unchanged; however, you now have access to the full range of protection options.
• Fixed an issue where an unintentional bad snap would fly past the QB, resulting in a fumble when running Pistol - Spread: Jet Touch Pass.
• Fixed an issue where sometimes throwing the bubble route on Singleback Bunch TE: Alert Bubble play would result in a fumble because the receiver could not make the catch on a backwards pass. 

Blocking

• Running Back Blocking Improvements - Running backs now handle TEX stunts more effectively when using Half Slide protection.
• Fixed an issue where Pass Rushers were unable to consistently trigger Pass Rush Moves and would just remain in a blocking loop.
• Tuning to allow defenders to attempt pass rush moves more frequently on each play.
• Tuning to increase defender super-win chance for pass rushers with equal or slightly lower ratings than the blocker.
  • DEV NOTE: Previously, pass rushers would only get super win outcomes when rated higher than their blocker; now, we've increased the range to allow for more super-win outcomes even when rated slightly worse than their blocker to increase the pass rush effectiveness globally.
• Tuning to increase bull-rush/push of the blocker towards the center of the pocket to increase natural pocket degradation.
• Fixed an issue where Offensive blockers were going too far downfield setting blocks on the Gun Bunch Str Nasty – Mtn Double Pass play resulting in Offensive Pass Interference being called. 
• Addressed an issue where the offensive line was failing to pick up 3-4 Tite Saw Blitz 0 allowing the Blitzing MLB to come through A-Gap untouched.

QB Contain

• QB Contain vs PA - On Play Action plays, Contain Defenders will no longer use the surf technique which limited their ability to set the edge effectively.
• Contain Logic Improvement - On normal pass plays, Contain Defenders will no longer abort their contain assignment prematurely while the QB is still a scramble threat.
  • DEV NOTE: This enhancement to QB Contain allows defenders to disengage from blocks more responsively and at more appropriate times, enabling them to take smarter pursuit angles. As a result, they’re better equipped to maintain outside leverage and effectively contain mobile quarterbacks, reducing the likelihood of extended scrambles.
• Fixed an issue when Defenders in QB Contain were not appropriately steering themselves into the appropriate position to be able to effectively set the edge. 

Running Game

• Addressed an issue where the RB’s initial move was not appropriately sending him up the field at the snap on Gun Tight Slot Open: HB Direct Snap.
• Fixed an issue where users were unable to hand the ball off when running inside veer plays to the left. 

Coverage

• Coach Adjustment RPO Defense  - When users set their RPO Pass Key Coach Adjustment to Conservative, defenders will now cover the Seams and the Flats instead of playing their Run Fit assignments. Zone defenders now react more reliably to RPO passes when Coach Adjustments are applied

Post Play

• Fixed an issue where the ball would teleport and float during the bowling celebration after scoring a TD. 

Presentation

New Uniforms Available

• Arizona State Black Uniform
• Florida Atlantic University New Home, Away, and Alternate Uniforms
• James Madison University New Gold Helmet and Pants
• Ole Miss New Realtree Helmet
• Texas Tech Mahomes White Uniform
• Texas Tech Throwback Uniform
• Tulane Alternate Uniform
• University of Alabama at Birmingham Updated Black Uniform 
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette Updated Black Uniform 
• University of Virginia 2025 Throwback Uniform
• Wisconsin Throwback Uniform
• ..And More! Check out all of the new uniform pieces in the game! 

New Equipment Pieces

• Nike Vapor Pro 1’s 
• Nike Vapor Speed 3’s 
• Nike Lebron IV Menace’s

Thank you all so much for your sharing incredible moments, feedback, and expressing your passion for College Football 26.

— The Entire College Football 26 Development Team