A new update for EA Sports College Football 26 is set to arrive tomorrow, October 2, bringing gameplay tweaks along with new uniforms and equipment.
Route stems will be set to a three-yard minimum, giving defensive backs more realistic opportunities to read and react to plays while preserving the original route designs. Pass rushers will have a better chance of achieving super-win outcomes even against blockers with equal or slightly lower ratings, making the pass rush more effective overall.
Contain defenders have been adjusted to stay engaged longer on standard pass plays when the quarterback remains a scramble threat, allowing them to take smarter pursuit angles and better limit mobile quarterbacks. Check out the full patch notes below.
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
The team is also introducing College Ultimate Team with a new Head to Head Ranked mode. Players had been asking for a more competitive experience in Ultimate Team, and this addition is designed to deliver just that. The mode focuses on competition and progression, with each match carrying weight toward the next milestone. Make sure to visit the latest Campus Huddle for all the details.
