EA Sports College Football 26 Hands-On Preview: Enhanced Gameplay, Smarter AI, and Deeper Modes
Following the record-breaking return of College Football 26 Coins the college football gaming franchise with EA Sports College Football 25, the upcoming sequel, College Football 26, faces the challenge of maintaining momentum while refining what came before. Slated for release on July 10, this year’s version isn’t aiming to reinvent the game but instead focuses on delivering a smarter, smoother, and more immersive experience across the board.
Gameplay Overhaul: Smoother, Smarter, and Sharper
Many fans of last year’s title noted that while gameplay was enjoyable, it often felt rough around the edges. EA appears to have taken that feedback seriously. After spending a few hours with an early build of CFB 26, it’s evident that gameplay has been noticeably improved. Movement feels more fluid, animations transition more naturally, and control responsiveness has been tightened.
One standout improvement is physics-based tackling—carried over and adapted from Madden 25. This system makes tackles more realistic and satisfying, with weight, momentum, and size playing a more meaningful role. Hit sticks are no longer erratic, defenders can clip runners for short gains, and smaller players genuinely struggle to bring down bruising backs.
Defensive Play Finally Feels Rewarding
In past iterations, defense often felt chaotic and inaccessible unless you were already a skilled player. That’s no longer the case. EA has overhauled defensive mechanics to make them more accessible, strategic, and rewarding. The new block-shedding system gives players more agency when controlling linemen, while line stunt customization for each play adds complexity and creativity to your defensive playbook.
Surprisingly, defense now feels as enjoyable as offense, thanks to these changes. For longtime “offensive coordinator mode” players who relied on simulating defense, this update might finally pull them into playing both sides of the ball.
Improved Running Game and Blocking Logic
One of the weakest aspects of College Football 25 was its run game—linemen often ignored obvious blocks, leading to buy College Football 26 Coins frustrating losses. That issue has been addressed in CFB 26 with a revamped blocking engine. Offensive linemen now read plays more intelligently, engage defenders properly, and open up realistic running lanes. Combined with the updated physics system, downhill runners can now power through arm tackles and create explosive plays between the tackles—something that was almost impossible in the previous game.