Dive into College Football 26 tips and tutorials to elevate your skills to the next level.

EA SPORTS™ College Football 26 Tips & Tricks

Beginner Tips

Offense Tips

Defense Tips

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Pro Tips

Player Abilities Tips

Playbook Tips

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Game Modes Tips

Road To Glory Tips

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Deluxe Edition

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Prove your program belongs at the top with enhanced college football gameplay featuring new offensive and defensive mechanics. Experience new stunts and twists, then make dynamic substitutions when it counts. With over 2,800 new plays, 10,000 players, and over 300 real-world coaches with true-to-life schemes, this is the most authentic college football experience yet. 

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True College Football Gameplay

Cement your legacy as one of the best coaches. Assemble an elite staff, upgrade your abilities and then lay it all out on the field. Navigate the now expanded and more unpredictable transfer portal featuring thousands of players each year. Personnel management has never been more important, with new location-based visits having the potential to give your program an advantage in recruiting. Land critical talent for your team by managing new Dynamic Deal Breakers and Traits while trying to retain your favorite playmakers and cement your program’s legacy.

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Dynasty

The ultimate student-athlete journey starts here. Rise from high school recruit to Heisman glory, with every decision shaping your career. Build your highlight tape to earn an offer from your dream school. Rise in class rankings and secure scholarships before other recruits. Earn Coach Trust, build team chemistry, and navigate the competitive recruiting process. Commit early if you've found the perfect fit or enter the portal if a better opportunity arises. Your path to the NFL Draft is yours to define.

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Immerse yourself in ultimate game day atmospheres with more electrifying sights, sounds, and traditions. Feel the energy of new situation and stadium-specific music, fight songs, and dynamic commentary. Experience new presentation that reflects the importance of each game in the context of your season. Saddle up in Stillwater, hoist The Golden Egg, and raise the sword as the King of Turnovers at Coastal Carolina. We’re surrounding you with authentic, unrivaled school spirit so you always feel right at home.

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More Like Saturday

Build your dream roster with Legends from the past and current college stars. Lead your Ultimate Team to greatness by taking on the competition in H2H matchups and themed challenges meant to put your skills to the test.

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College Football 26 Official Reveal Trailer

The playbook is in your hands. Take your career from high school recruit to Heisman or coach your team to the top. With thousands of new plays, players and upgraded abilities, there are more ways than ever to Bring Glory Home.

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College Football 26 Gameplay Deep Dive

College Football 26 is available July 10. Pre-order to play 3 days early: http://x.ea.com/84146 
 
The playbook is in your hands. Take your career from high school recruit to Heisman or coach your team to the top. With thousands of new plays, players and upgraded abilities, there are more ways than ever to Bring Glory Home. 

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College Football 26 Official Dynasty Deep Dive

College Football 26 is available July 10. Pre-order to play 3 days early: http://x.ea.com/84146 

Cement your legacy as one of the best coaches. Assemble an elite staff, upgrade your abilities and then lay it all out on the field. Navigate the now expanded and more unpredictable transfer portal featuring thousands of players each year. Personnel management has never been more important, with new location-based visits having the potential to give your program an advantage in recruiting. Land critical talent for your team by managing new Dynamic Deal Breakers and Traits while trying to retain your favorite playmakers and cement your program’s legacy.

Get #CFB26 news: https://linktr.ee/easportscollege

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CFB 26 & Madden 26: RTG & Superstar Trailer

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 EA SPORTS™ College Football 26

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We’re covering all of your favorite topics in *EA Sports College Football 26*!

Speaking of which, coach trust is back in Road To Glory this year, but this time, it’s way more than just your ticket to moving up the depth chart.

In *CFB25*, coach trust helped you get on the field more quickly. But once you won the starting job, that was pretty much the end of it. Now, it’s evolved into a long-term progression system that grows along with you, from pimple-faced freshman to dominant all-American.

As your coach trust increases, so does your control. You’ll unlock access to more plays, audibles, hot routes, line protection, and defensive shifts, true leadership tools that reflect your growth and reliability.

And it’s not just about keeping your job. Position battles are significantly tougher now, especially if you&#39;re gunning for that starting spot. You&#39;ll need to earn it this year, along with the faith of your coaches.

But trust isn’t everything. Coach happiness is brand new in *College Football 26*, a week-to-week reflection of how your coach feels about you right now.

Coach happiness reacts to everything, your in-game performance, your GPA, leadership, off-field choices, and even your practice effort. Win games, stay sharp, lead your team, and you’ll be golden. Blow off class or turn in some lackluster practices, and don’t be shocked if you get benched for the next few weeks.

Coach trust is your long-term path to greatness. Whereas coach happiness is more like your weekly report card. In *EA Sports College Football 26*, every snap, every decision, every practice rep counts. So not only do you have to earn your spot this year, you’ll have to put in the work to keep it.


In-game College Football 26 Dynasty Mode screenshot showing Trayce Hopson for Virginia Tech and his trust rating with his coaches.

CFB 26 Dynasty Mode Coach Happiness Tips

Coach Trust & Happiness


Looking for the best defensive playbook in College Football 26? Here are the top 5 favorites:
## **#5 – 3-4 Playbook**

The 3-4 playbook is a solid choice with a strong selection of **Nickel formations** — six in total, including:

- **3-3 Mint**
- **2-4 Double Mug**


Both of these were highly effective last year and should be good again this year. While there’s not a ton of variety outside of Nickel, this playbook offers solid options to mix in coverage and pressure.
## **#4 – 3-3-5 Tight**

This playbook thrives off its **3-3-5 personnel**, offering flexibility and disguise. It includes:

- Mint
- Over Flex *(a brand-new formation this year)*
- Penny
- Split


Additionally, it provides a couple of unique Nickel looks to keep opponents guessing.
## **#3 – 4-2-5 Defensive Playbook**

For those who favor **four down linemen**, this book is ideal. It starts with:

- **Over G** and **Under**, both offering strong pass rush angles and versatile coverage options.


It also includes six Nickel formations, such as:

- 3-3
- Double Mug


Plus a couple of 3-3-5 formations with:

- 3-3-5 Penny
- Over Flex *(a brand-new formation this year)*

## **#2 – 3-2-6 Playbook**

The only playbook in the game with access to the **3-2-6 Odd formation**, which is loaded with different coverage options. This playbook also provides:

- Five Nickel formations, including **3-3 Mint**
- 3-3-5 options like **3 High Odd** and **Stack**

## **Blitz Spotlight – Hot Blitz Bail (Nickel 3-3 Mint)**

- Turn off **Auto Flip** in coaching adjustments.
- **Flip the play call**, shift DL **left**, and **spread LBs**.
- Zone out the **slot corner** and **left-side edge rusher** into curl flats or hard flats.
- Optional: Use QB contain if needed.


This setup creates a **looping blitz** that brings quick heat from the middle linebacker, excellent for forcing hurried throws or sacks.
## **#1 – 3-3-5 Playbook**

The top spot belongs to the 3-3-5 playbook due to its combination of personnel flexibility and pressure variety. It includes:

- Multiple Nickel formations
- Dime look
- A stacked list of 3-3-5 personnel formations such as:
- **Three High**
- **Three High Odd**
- **Split**
- **Stack**
- **Over Flex** *(a brand-new formation this year)*


These offer unique alignments and numerous options to disguise coverage or send pressure.
## **Blitz Spotlight – Fire zone 3 (3-3-5 Split)**

- Turn **Auto Flip OFF** in coaching adjustments.
- Simply **spread the defensive line** — that’s all.
- Optionally drop the **left edge rusher** into a **vert hook** to add coverage.
- Shade coverage **down or up** to turn it into a spot drop Cover 3, if preferred over matching principles.






In-game College Football 26 screenshot showing defensive playbooks and formations for the Georgia Bulldogs.

CFB 26 Top 5 Defensive Playbooks

Top 5 Defensive Playbooks in College Football 26


College Football 26 features over 130 playbooks, 2,800+ new plays, and 45 brand-new formations. Here are five playbooks that will help players dominate this year.
## **TCU Playbook**

Starting at number five, the TCU playbook offers a variety of gun formations. A standout formation is Gun Normal Y Off Close, great for mixing in gimmick plays. A notable play is Flood H Post, with a simple, effective setup: tight end on a streak, running back on a flat, and outside receiver on a drag. In man coverage, the corner route can easily beat defenders for a big gain.
## **BYU Playbook**

At number four is the BYU playbook, featuring brand-new formations for CFB26. Gun Y Off Trio Close is particularly strong, with cheat plays and built-in auto-motion. A recommended setup includes the slot WR on a streak, tight end on a drag, and outside WR on a post. Auto-motion is perfect for beating Cover 2 and is highly effective.
## **Minnesota Playbook**

Number three is the Minnesota Golden Gophers playbook. The go-to formation is Trips TE Y Slot, which uses a starting tight end at receiver—players can swap in a faster option if desired. Curl Flat is a favored play, with an easy setup: running back on a streak and backside receiver on a drag. Trips formations excel due to their spacing and flexibility, offering unique routes and solid run plays.
## **UCLA Playbook**

At number two is the UCLA playbook, featuring two favorite formations: Gun Bunch and Wing Trips Weak. Gun Bunch Verticals requires no hot routes, with the RB as a perfect checkdown and effective crossing routes. Wing Trips Weak is excellent near the goal line, with a setup involving a tight end on a post, slot receiver on a streak, solo receiver on a streak, and running back on a flat.
## **Oregon State Playbook**

Finally, at number one is Oregon State. This playbook offers the widest variety of popular and meta gun formations. It’s ideal for single-back users and includes community-favorite formations. Bunch Nasty is a favored formation, with Motion Spot Extra as a go-to play. It features a short corner route that consistently finds open windows and includes tight end motion for customization. A simple setup tip is to put the tight end on a drag for reliability against man and zone coverage.
## **Conclusion**

These top five playbooks for College Football 26—TCU, BYU, Minnesota, UCLA, and Oregon State—offer unique formations, easy setups, and big-play potential to help players win more games this year.



In-game College Football 26 screenshot showing a Makai Lemon headshot as well as some playbook formations for USC

CFB 26 Tips Top 5 Offensive Playbooks

Top 5 Offensive Playbooks in College Football 26


One of the easiest ways to get better on defense is to control the right player. The defender you choose to use can make a huge difference in shutting down your opponent’s offense and creating game-changing plays. 
## **Who should you use?** 

Avoid controlling a defensive lineman. Instead, focus on using a linebacker or safety — ideally someone assigned to a hook zone over the middle of the field.

This position gives you the best opportunity to:

- Disrupt passing lanes
- Take away routes that target vulnerable spots in your defense
- Create confusion for the quarterback

## **Why use the middle defender?**

When you patrol the middle of the field:

- You can take away quick throws and force your opponent into tougher decisions.
- You’ll make the QB hesitate, second-guessing throws that might otherwise look open.
- You put yourself in position to jump different routes based on what you see

## **Tip: Stay patient and read the play** 

Don’t overcommit too early. Let the routes develop, read the quarterback, and react to what unfolds. The more comfortable you get using the right player, the more havoc you’ll cause on defense. 


In-game College Football 26 screenshot showing a defender for Florida State tackling a player from University of Texas El Paso.

CFB 26 how to use right defender

How to Use the Right Defender in College Football 26

## **How to Find a Blitz in College Football 26** 

No matter how strong your coverage is, it won’t hold up forever if the quarterback has all day to throw. That’s why adding a reliable blitz or pressure scheme is key to throwing off your opponent’s rhythm and forcing mistakes. 
## **Mike Will 2**  

Mike Will 2 is a consistent blitz play found in the **3-3-5 Stack formation**. It’s designed to bring quick B-gap pressure from the right side, helping you get fast sacks and force the quarterback into rushed decisions. 
## **How to set up Mike Will 2** 

To run this blitz effectively:

- **Turn off Auto Flip** in your coaching adjustments before the play.
- **Call Mike Will 2** from the 3-3-5 Stack formation.
- **Show blitz**
- **Spread the defensive line**
- **Blitz all linebackers**.
- (Optional) **Back off your outside corners** if you want extra cushion against quick throws.


As the user:

- Control the left of screen linebacker and all him to run forward at the snap for a few steps to sell the blitz, then drop into coverage over the middle to help against quick passes.

## **Tip: Mix it into your gameplan**  

Don’t rely on this blitz every down — but work it into your defensive scheme to keep your opponent on their heels. The more pressure they feel, the more likely they are to make a mistake. 


In-game College Football 26 screenshot showing a player for the Pittsburgh Panthers in action.

CFB 26 find a blitz

Pass Defense Tips - Finding a Blitz


Custom zones are a brand-new feature in this year’s game — and they’re a true game changer. For the first time, you can fully control the depth and placement of your zone defenders, helping you anticipate and counter specific routes. 
## **What are custom zones?** 

Custom zones let you manually adjust where your defenders drop in zone coverage. This means you can fine-tune your defense to take away routes your opponent relies on.

For example, you can set up a custom zone to cover the exact depth of a corner route, leading to game-changing plays like interceptions or forced incompletions.
## **How to set a custom zone** 

To create a custom zone:

- **Select a defender** using the pre-snap adjustments menu.
- **Hold the LB button (Xbox)** or **L1 (PlayStation)**.
- **Drag the zone** with the left stick or D-pad to position it where you want.
- **Set the depth** — for example, place your outside corner in a cloud flat zone at 20 yards to shut down corner routes.


You can apply this to any defender in zone coverage to match up against specific offensive concepts.
## **Tip: Get creative with combinations** 

Don’t hesitate to pair custom zones with man coverage or blitz looks. The more you mix things up, the harder it is for your opponent to predict and attack your defense. 


In-game College Football 26 screenshot showing defensive custom zones marked my arrows and circles in a game between Iowa and UCLA.

CFB 26 Custom Zones defense

How to Use Custom Zones in College Football 26

## **How to Use Cover 2 Man in College Football 26**

Cover 2 Man is a great defensive play for beginners or anyone looking for a reliable, steady option. It combines tight man-to-man coverage with support over the top, making it a safe and effective choice in many situations. 
## **What is Cover 2 Man?** 

Cover 2 Man is a defensive setup where each defender plays tight man-to-man coverage against the offense’s receivers. The defenders stay close, using a natural trail technique that positions them slightly behind and inside the receiver, ready to react to cuts on routes.

At the same time, two deep safeties provide coverage over the top. Their job is to prevent big plays if a receiver manages to get past the initial man coverage.
## **How to call Cover 2 Man effectively** 

You can call Cover 2 Man from most playbooks under standard defensive formations. It’s often found in Nickel, Dime, or Dollar packages.

To boost its effectiveness:

- User an extra blitzing defender, or the defender who’s responsible for the running back

## **When to use Cover 2 Man** 

Cover 2 Man is safe to use repeatedly during a game. It’s a solid base call that forces your opponent to make good reads and precise throws. While it’s not invincible — like any defense, it can be beaten — it will challenge most players and help you control the game’s pace. 


In-game College Football 26 screenshot showing Alabama's defensive coverage formation pre-snap.

CFB 26 Cover 2 man defense

Top 5 Pass Defense Tips - Cover 2 Man


When you have time with your quarterback and no options are open, Playmaker can help. 

After the snap and a few seconds into the play, hold the left trigger and flick the right stick to guide your receiver to open space. 

This is ideal for improvising and making big gains.


 A football player wearing a purple jersey with the number 14 and a helmet, running on the field during a game with a crowd in the background.

CFB 26 How to playmaker

Playmaker Web Tutorial

## **How to Stop Over-pursuing the Run in College Football 26** 

If you want to shut down the ground game in College Football 26, you need to stay disciplined. Overpursuing the run, especially on outside plays like stretch or outside zone, can open up huge cutback lanes for the offense. 
## **What is overpursuing?** 

Overpursuing happens when you **run too far past the ball carrier** on a given play.

When this happens:

- You **leave the gap** you were supposed to cover.
- The running back can easily **cut back inside** into open space. 

## **How to stay disciplined as a user**  

Here’s a simple trick:

- When chasing runs to the sideline, **stay on the backside shoulder of the running back**.
- This keeps you in position to **contain the outside**, while still being ready to **close off any inside cutbacks**. 

## **When to apply this** 

Use this technique any time your opponent runs outside zone, toss, or stretch plays — especially if they are good at cutting back inside. Staying disciplined will keep them bottled up and force them into negative or short gains. 
## **Tip: Don’t do too much** 

Let your teammates help. One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying too hard to do everything on their own. 


 In-game College Football 26 screenshot showing a defender for TCU tracking a runner and preparing to make a tackle.

CFB 26 Not over pursuing

Defense Tips - Not Over Pursuing 


Transform how your routes beat zone coverage with a technique called custom stemming. To custom stem a route, follow these steps: 

- Press Triangle (or Y) and select your receiver. 
- Hold the Left Bumper. 
- Use the left stick or D-pad to adjust the route&#39;s depth.


Some of the best routes to custom stem are posts, corners, ins, and outs. However, not all routes can be stemmed, so be mindful of which ones you choose.

A practical application of this technique is adjusting a post route to go over deep zones or stem it down to go under them. Similarly, you can modify corner routes: stem them up to bypass flat zones or stem them down to maneuver beneath and outside deep zones.


In-game College Football 26 screenshot showing custom running routes marked by red and yellow arrows in a game between Marshall and Washington.

CFB 26 Custom Stem Routes

How to Enhance Your Routes with Custom Stemming


Learn how to create your own plays using hot routes in College Football 26. 

Hot routes allow you to change a receiver&#39;s route on the fly.  To use them, press Triangle (or Y on Xbox) and select your receiver. This will open the hot route menu, offering up to 14 different options. You can choose these routes by using the left stick, right stick, d-pad, and triggers. The available hot routes vary depending on the receiver you select and their position on the field. Hot routes are essential for enhancing default plays and making them significantly more effective.




In-game College Football 26 screenshot showing a hot route marked with a red arrow on the field in a game between Kentucky and Tennessee.

CFB 26 How to hot route

How to Use Hot Routes in College Football 26


Learn how to catch every type of pass in College Football 26 using three catch types: RAC, Possession, and Aggressive: 

- RAC (Run After Catch): Use this when your receiver is wide open and you want to advance the ball after catching it. Press square on PlayStation or X on Xbox. Be cautious, as contact may lead to drops.


- Possession Catch: Ideal for securing the ball in traffic or near the sidelines. Press X on PlayStation or A on Xbox. This catch offers the best chance to hold onto the ball, though your receiver will usually go down immediately after the catch.


- Aggressive Catch: Press triangle on PlayStation or Y on Xbox to make your receiver attack the ball at its highest point. Use this for cutting off the ball in coverage or jump balls.





 In-game College Football 26 screenshot showing a receiver for the Baylor Bears making a leaping catch.

CFB 26 How to catch

How To Catch The Ball In College Football 26


Need help with passing? Here&#39;s a quick guide on how to pass the ball in EA Sports College Football 26

- Bullet Pass: Hold the receiver’s button for quick, tight throws. 
- Lob Pass: Tap the receiver’s button for long, over-the-top routes.
- Touch Pass: Tap and release quickly to arc the ball over defenders.


For more control

- Pass Leading: Push the left stick in the direction you want while holding the receiver’s button.
- Highball: Hold L1 while pressing the receiver’s button to throw over a defender.


If you&#39;re using Classic Passing, this covers it. 

For extra control:

- Placement Setting: Guide passes with a visual reticle using the left trigger. 
- Placement + Accuracy: Control pass lead and accuracy with added timing for optimal bullet pass accuracy. 
- Revamped Passing: Combines classic controls with timing for pass velocity and accuracy, offering more control over arc.

## How to Pump Fake

- Pump Fake: Quickly tap the receiver&#39;s icon to bait the defense.





In-game College Football 26 screenshot showing a quarterback for North Carolina throwing a pass.

CFB 26 how to pass 

How to Pass the ball in College Football 26


Learn how to block every type of blitz in under 45 seconds: 

- Open Pass Protection Menu

    - Hold the left bumper.

- Slide Protection

    - Flick the right stick left or right for half a slide.
    - Use the left stick for full slide to block overload blitzes. 

- Interior Blitzes:

    - Flick the right stick up for empty protection.

- All-Out Blitzes

    - Flick the left stick up for max protection.

- Double Team a Rusher

    - Flick down, move the stick to the rusher, and press X or A.
    - ID the Mike

        - Press X or A to ensure that the player is blocked.


- Untarget a Player 

    - Press Triangle or Y to untarget someone, like a user in the gap.



This method is perfect for managing key pass rushers and optimizing your blocking strategy. 


 In-game College Football 26 screenshot showing a quarterback from Georgia being protected by his offensive line and preparing to make a pass.