I’m still working my way through my Eastern Michigan Dynasty. It’s not going great, but it isn’t going bad—baby steps and all that.
But I absolutely love this game. And now that EA has released a new title update for College Football 26, making changes to zones and several other aspects, maybe I’ll start to see some movement.
Probably not. Let’s get into it.
What changed in college football 26?
Gameplay Changes:
Coverage:
- Hard Flats Behavior: Defenders now stay closer to the line and recognize swing routes as threats in the flat.
- Cover 2 Tampa: The middle defender now gets deeper, maintaining better leverage position against deep threats, especially from 3×1 formations.
- Cover 3 Match (incl. Buzz Mable & Zone Blitz 3): Logic improvements for Defenders when reacting to Slot WRs attempting to outleverage the defense on deep routes.
- Cover 2 Match (incl. Cover 6/9/Zone Blitz 2): Logic Improvements for defenders guarding inside and vertical routes, especially in formations like bunches and stacks. Improved defense against outside throws and motion-heavy offenses.
- Cover 4 Quarters: Against 3×1 sets Corners and Safeties pick up the appropriate vertical threat to ensure that the #3 Receiver is covered on deep routes.
- Cover 4 Palms & Cover 6: Corners won’t press by default on the trips side, reducing chances of one-play touchdowns.
Blocking Changes:
Pass Block/Pass Rush:
- Pre-Play: Resolved issues where QB animations prevented players from making protection adjustments blocking the RB.
- Protection Menu: Now closes automatically after making an adjustment.
- Visual Feedback: Fixed display issues with pass block lines after hot routing the HB.
- Blocking Logic Enhancements:
- Improved recognition of stunts and loops across base, empty, and slide protections.
- Base protection is less effective against stunts, reflecting its man-on-man nature.
- Blockers are better at identifying late blitzers and avoiding premature handoffs that lead to free rushers.
- Pocket Behavior:
- Tuning to decrease the likelihood of pass blockers staying in double teams unnecessarily.
- Reduced frequency of illegal man downfield penalties.
- Edge rushers now better recognize when they’re being out-leveraged by scrambling QBs.
- Difficulty Tuning:
- Increased pass rush effectiveness on Heisman and All-American.
- Decreased pass rush effectiveness on lower difficulties.
These blocking adjustments are huge. The game has been great, but there did seem to be a significant downgrade in pass blocking. I had defensive tackles breezing through the line—and not just in my Dynasty but in regular games with my Badgers.
It was crazy. But nice to see it’s been addressed.
And I’m a man-to-man guy, but I will admit, there is a time and a place for zones, and it’s definitely when you’re dealing with a demon at the opposing wide receiver. College Football 26 has done an even better job of making that matchup hell.
Sometimes that blitz just isn’t going to get there in time. Therefore, the adjustments to the zones should help significantly. There’s a lot more than just these changes, though, and you can check it out at their site.
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