EA Sports College Football 26 is right around the corner, with a little under three weeks left until its release. This iteration has been hyped up by devs and fans alike, so we’re hoping to see a plethora of new additions to the game. According to EA, the developers won’t just be releasing new and improved features, but they’re also adding quality-of-life changes to the game.
To explain all these new changes, EA released a Deep Dive, detailing all the improvements they’re bringing to the game. Today, we’ll break down each of these features, so you know exactly what to expect on July 10. From Road to Glory to the new Wear and Tear system, we’ve got it all here.
College Football 26 Gets Revamped: Deep Dive Explained
College Football 26 is getting a ton of new features added to it. From gameplay to presentation, they’re trying to revamp the system for the better. The EA Deep Dive was broken down into three parts:
- Gameplay
- Dynasty and Team Builder
- Presentation
That’s exactly how we’re going to take it from here, so don’t worry about missing out on your favourite parts.
New Gameplay Features
The Gameplay Deep Dive had the most information among the three, followed closely by the piece on Dynasty and Team Builder. But here are the major changes we’ll be seeing to gameplay in College Football 26.
Dynamic Subs
First off, CFB’26 is introducing dynamic substitutions. Dynamic substitutions occur during plays with no pause required. This will ensure smoother gameplay without any interruptions. While that sounds fun, it can get hectic managing subs in between plays, which is why EA also added tailored substitution filters alongside real-time health insights.
Not only can you cycle your defensive and offensive lines more efficiently, but you can also see who’s been worn down.
Wear-and-Tear System
Another major change was issued to the Wear and Tear system from CFB’25. This system followed physics-based damage and translated that to injuries for more realism. The CFB’25 model was just the prototype; this time around, they’ve patched several awkward instances like players just piling on top of each other. A good tackle can now take players out of commission.
Expanded Archetypes
Archetypes are a really popular aspect of College Football, so EA has added 10 new archetypes to the fringe. But don’t worry about overlapping, since no two archetypes share the same ability loadout.
On top of new archetypes, players will also be rewarded with stat boosts for doing well in-game. Gaining momentum will allow players to upgrade from Platinum-tier to Heisman-tier abilities.
Mountains Of New Plays And Formations
When we say mountains, we’re not kidding. In CFB’26, you’ll be able to use 2,800+ new plays and over 45 new formations. And why is that happening? Because of the addition of 300 real-life head coaches. Pick a play that meets your needs exactly without having to make any compromises. This will help promote diversity among players rather than repeating the same old playbooks.
Vision And Awareness Changes
EA has decided to remove the Vision Cone on the field to increase realism in the game, as well as enhance the impact of the Awareness stat on quarterbacks.
Now, lower-rated quarterbacks will have a harder time making correct plays under duress and are more prone to fumbling passes. On the flip side, QBs with higher ratings will react faster after the snap and make smarter choices.
New Ways To Tackle And Skill Mechanic Enhancements
We mentioned physics-based damage in the wear-and-tear system part, but here comes Physics-Based-Tackling (PBT). That’s on top of the new tackle types being introduced in CFB’26. Put both of those together, and higher-rated tacklers will be able to display their defensive capabilities to the max.
Skill mechanics have also been revised. Aspects such as core tackling mechanics, quarterback hits, and late hit throws have all been improved.
Use Stunts and Twists for Added Defensive Complexity
Stunts and twists have entered CFB’26, and if you’re not sure what those are, don’t worry. Before, we were limited to basic four-man rushes on defense — that ends now. Switch it up with a variety of different tricks to confuse the offense and catch their QB off guard.
You can choose from a list of stunts and twists to perform during the Play Call Screen, or even at the Preplay screen. There will be 12 unique stunt types available, each with a unique layer of protection.
Block Steering
Passes and running aren’t all EA is focused on. Now we shift our focus to the trenches. Block Steering allows both players and AI to influence the direction of a block once engagement has started.
Not only will it feel different, but it’s going to look different too. With over 700 new animations made particularly for this mechanic, you’ll get the full feel of manipulating the block.
Smarter Blocking Mechanics And Improved Target Selection
EA has reworked how defenders react post-snap. They’ll realize who they have to block depending on the play and the opposing players. Being able to factor in things like weight class and ratings can help you make more successful defensive plays.
Since EA is working tirelessly to give players more autonomy in-game, target selection has also been tweaked in CFB’26. Now, players can choose to leave defenders open for a running play instead of covering a receiver. This creates greater playmaking potential and opens space for unique playstyles.
Custom Zones
Last year, we got Custom Stems to individually tailor different parts of an offensive play. Stretch the pass a little wider, move the TE a little closer. To counter that, CFB’26 will be introducing Custom Zones. Utilizing Custom Zones properly opens a world of possibilities for your defense.
Personally adjust individual zone drop depths in order to react to any offensive play on the fly. No more pauses or going through pre-set defensive formations to make adjustments, but remember, with more power comes more responsibility.
Route Commit
One of the most exhilarating features added to CFB’26 is Route Commit. The defensive equivalent to Run-or-Pass Commit, Route Commit allows you to either go for shading or commit to a sellout.
If you opt for shading, defenders will stay on top of receivers till the play is done. Your opponent might get a few yards in, but nothing serious. However, take the high road with sellout, and it’s a different ballgame. Know your opponent’s play? Route Commit. Your entire defense will work to stop that play. If you guess right, you’ll intercept the ball almost immediately. Guess wrong, and that might be a touchdown.
Shading Properly and Punishing Bad Throws
Realism is the name of the game in CFB’26. We talked about selling out in Route Commit, but Shading isn’t always going to be the safe option. Pick whether you want to shade underneath or over the top. Are you willing to sacrifice a few yards to stop potential vertical runs? Or will you stop short throws in their tracks while running the risk of a deep throw? Be careful with your choices because star receivers could hard punish you for the wrong decision.
On the other hand, higher-rated DBs are more prone to making smarter choices now. No more blind leaps until they keep their eyes on the ball. With Leverage reworked, everything is riding on you.
New Defensive Formations
If you’re getting new plays and formations in offense, it only makes sense to have defensive plays to counter those. The defensive playbook in CFB’26 is getting updated with new defensive formations tailored to college football offenses. Pick the correct defensive play and get rewarded big with full-on interceptions and picture-perfect tackles.
A new Run Fit system is also being implemented to give more clarity about positions in-game. No matter the offensive spread you’re going up against, defenders will follow their assignments with more precision. You can say the entire defensive line is overall smarter now. Linebackers and safeties will play more aggressively instead of standing idle, while RPOs will be dealt with systematically; each defender monitoring their assigned receiver’s movements. No more overcommitting.
Pre-Snap Safety Adjustments (Coach Setting)
We’ve covered the offense, we’ve covered the defense. Now, it’s time to cover coaching. With never-ending possibilities on how to set up your safeties, EA plans to give that control over to the players. Choose the exact safety width and depth you want for your plays, down to the midpoint shift. Similar to Route Commit, bring your safeties in to close up gaps and tighten the defense, or eliminate the risk of vertical runs and have them stay deep.
If you want to take your defense to the next level, combine all three areas for a pristine defense. Add to that the new RPO Coaching Adjustment and Linebackers Blitz to seal the deal. You can now set up exactly how you want AI defenders to play out RPOs to maximize their effectiveness. In addition, the “Show Blitz” option now has a “Linebackers Only” option. Stop giving away your play pre-snap, leaving the rest of the field open.
Real-Time Coaching (RTC)
Not everything is built for the player; CPU-controlled teams are getting an upgrade as well. Real-Time Coaching is basically decision-making on the AI’s side, which is now programmed to be smarter and more life-like. Changing a play on the fly? So is the CPU. While it won’t react with inhumane reaction speed, sneaking those cheeky post-snap plays past the AI won’t be as easy anymore.
With enhanced AI integration in CFB’26, players will also see delayed formation shifts on the opposing side of the field. This means real-time adjustments and reactions will take place during play. The CPU will be able to read if you’re leaning too heavily into a specific strategy and attack it harder. When? You won’t see it coming. 9-box, a spatial backend intelligence system, is also being integrated into the game to track your passing and attacking game. Counterattacks are bound to happen sooner or later, so be aware.
Home Field Advantage
Improving gameplay is fun and all, but immersing players into the game is taking it to the next level. CFB’25 had the Home Field Advantage feature, where crowds would be louder and their presence would be felt for the home team. Now? It’s do or die. With the introduction of the Stadium Pulse Meter, the pressure is on. Every time you fumble a pass or your QB gets sacked in an away game, be ready for a world of enthusiasm and excitement.
Can you handle the pressure? Nighttime and rivalry modifiers are here to make sure to push you to your limit. As the clock ticks on and you’re losing downs, the game won’t just feel harder, it actually will become tougher. On-field players will start cracking under pressure, and QBs won’t make the best calls. But play at home, and all that pressure can work for you.
Player Positioning and Momentum-Based Crowd Silence
Just like in real life, WRs are about to feel the heat. Players lined up further from the QB will be impacted the most by crowd noise. The further away from teammates a player is, the higher the chance he’ll lose his composure and fumble the play.
But what happens when you make those game-breaking plays as the away team? Momentum-Based Crowd Silence. Flip the game by attacking strongly and hard early in the game. This will pause the Home Field Advantage, giving you some breathing room. Keep at that, and the crowd shouldn’t bother you too much.
Kicking in High-Pressure Situations
Kicking might be the most intense and volatile part of the game, and CFB’26 is ready to reflect that. If you thought nighttime and rivalry games made normal gameplay harder, wait till you see what it does during kicks.
If the Home Field Advantage is peaking, three prominent changes will take place. The accuracy meter will become completely transparent, the ball will fade out as the kicker lines up, and the power meter fills white instead of with colour. This will show us who’s cut out to withstand the pressure, and who crumbles under it.
New Celebrations
The final part of the Gameplay Deep Dive was regarding celebrations. Enjoy your big moments with a couple of new celebrations. Whether it’s a touchdown or just an interception, you’ll be able to seize the moment and swag out to your heart’s content.
CFB’26 is going to be all about giving more power to the player and upping the standard of opposition. From offense to coaching and crowd pressure, this iteration of college football is going to be hotter than ever.
