EA Sports College Football 26 Hands-On: Big Upgrades in Gameplay, Defense, Dynasty, and More

After the triumphant return of college football gaming with EA Sports College Football 25, fans were eager to see how the sequel, College Football 26, would build on College Football 26 Coins that foundation. While the anticipation might not match last year’s historic launch, the new game arrives July 10 with meaningful upgrades across nearly every facet of play—from game mechanics and defense to presentation, Dynasty, and Road to Glory modes.

Smarter, Sharper Gameplay Across the Board

The biggest improvements in College Football 26 come in the core gameplay experience. The first game was fun, but sometimes clunky or limited in scope. This year, the gameplay feels more polished, responsive, and intelligent.

Running the ball, one of last year’s weakest elements, is much improved thanks to a new blocking engine. Offensive linemen now make more realistic reads, target the right defenders, and hold blocks longer. Running backs benefit too—larger ball carriers can break tackles, bounce off defenders, and grind for extra yards, while smaller ones have the agility to hit open seams when they appear.

Passing also feels more rewarding, with smarter route running and better timing windows. The game flows more naturally, and the AI defense adjusts dynamically to repeated strategies, forcing players to think like real coordinators.

Defense Gets Its Due

For years, defense has been the less exciting side of football games, but College Football 26 finally makes playing defense enjoyable—even for those who traditionally avoided it.

The physics-based tackling system, borrowed and refined from Madden 25, transforms defense into a more grounded, impactful experience. Defenders interact with ball carriers in more believable ways—momentum matters, matchups matter, and tackles feel earned rather than scripted.

A new block-shedding feature gives linemen more control during engagements, letting players shift and shed to pursue the quarterback or disrupt run plays. Custom defensive line stunts can now be assigned on every play, giving users more tools to buy NCAA Football 26 Coins break down offensive fronts.