When it comes to EA Sports-developed football games, blocking has always been one of the more criticized aspects of them. For years, Madden players have complained about offensive linemen constantly missing assignments or not having as much of an effect as they should. For anyone who doesn’t religiously follow football, a strong offensive line is one of the most important things if you want to build a winning team. So this is something that is important to gamers looking for realism in their football games.
With College Football 26 now available to the masses, players will certainly be judging it on how it represents the game of football. Last year, College Football 25 was critically acclaimed, with many praising the title for its refreshing take on football. And the blocking itself wasn’t bad, either. However, there were obvious improvements to be made.
In the early goings since CFB 26 was released, users have compared it to its predecessor in almost every category. And one question is on a lot of people’s minds: Is the blocking improved? Some have argued that it hasn’t. But many think such criticisms are off-base.
A Reddit User Highlights How Blocking Has Improved In College Football 26
Posting in the NCCAFBSeries subreddit, user Muted_Atmosphere_668 showed off a play they made in College Football 26. While using Georgia Tech, the poster ran a Jet Sweep-type play in which one of the wide receivers is motioned and receives the ball on a handoff once the ball is snapped. And what happens after that is thing of beauty in terms of blocking.
Once the wide receiver has the ball, he peels to the right. The running back leads the charge, putting a strong block on one of the edge rushers. Immediately after, an offensive lineman takes the point and makes a clutch last-second block on one of the safeties as the receiver makes a cut inside. After the two blocks and some fancy footwork, the ball carrier enters the endzone. Touchdown, Yellow Jackets!
The point of the post is to highlight how blocking has improved since last year, and that this play is the proof. Of course, not every blocking assignment is made, nor are they in real life. But for the most part, the game’s blocking AI seems sound.
Most of the comments on the post agreed with this sentiment. Are they without critiques? Absolutely not. And, to be fair, no game — especially a sports game — will ever be 100% perfect. But rest assured, when it comes to simulating some good pure football action, there is no better game on the market than College Football 26 right now.
