Five Things That Won't Work Anymore in College Football 26 - And What You Should Do Instead

With College Football 26 just days from release, fans returning from College Football 25 are in for a shock. Many of last year's most dominant tactics—both in gameplay and Dynasty Mode—have been reworked, nerfed, or outright overhauled. What used to give you the upper hand may now lead to negative yardage or blown coverages. As the meta shifts, smart players are not only adapting their strategies but also looking to buy College Football 26 Coins early to stay competitive and take advantage of updated features from day one.

Here's a breakdown of five major tactics that won't work anymore in College Football 26 - and what to do instead to stay ahead of the game.

1. Jet Sweeps & Jet Touch Passes Are No Longer a Free Ride

What's Changed:

Jet sweeps and jet touch passes were the go-to cheese plays in CFB 25, especially due to poor pursuit angles and sluggish edge defense. Even inexperienced players could rack up consistent yards with little effort.

In CFB 26:

· Defensive pursuit is vastly improved.

· Edge defenders play much more aggressively and smartly.

· Jet sweeps are now high-risk if not called in the right situations.

What to Do Instead:

Use jet sweeps sparingly and strategically - only when the defense shows a favorable alignment. Better yet, use jet motion as a decoy and build a mini-scheme around it to keep your opponent guessing.

 

2. RPO Bubble Screens Are No Longer Unstoppable

What's Changed:

The RPO bubble screen was a staple - a low-risk, high-reward play that most users spammed with ease. The issue? Defenders, especially on the outside, bit too hard on the run, leaving the flats wide open.

In CFB 26:

· Outside defenders now read the pass more reliably.

· A new coaching adjustment allows you to manually set defenders to "pass first" behavior on RPOs.

What to Do Instead:

If you're facing a user spamming RPOs, adjust your coaching settings pre-snap to emphasize pass reads. If you're using bubble screens, disguise them within a broader RPO scheme to avoid predictability.

 

3. Overpowered Abilities Have Been Rebalanced

What's Changed:

Abilities like Takeoff, Extender, Sleight of Feet, and 360 Juke were borderline broken last year - allowing QBs and skill players to break multiple sacks or dominate in the open field.

In CFB 26:

· Abilities have been rebalanced across the board.

· Most overpowering ones were either nerfed or brought back down to their intended power levels.

What to Do Instead:

Focus more on scheming and matchups rather than relying solely on player abilities. That doesn't mean abilities aren't still useful - they're just more situational now. Expect new abilities to rise in power as the meta evolves, but be cautious before leaning on one too heavily.

 

4. Man Defense Can't Be Exploited as Easily

What's Changed:

Last year, man coverage was easily torn apart by sharp routes and elite WRs. You could win with simple crossing routes, slants, and curls over and over.

In CFB 26:

· Man coverage has been buffed - especially for top-tier DBs.

· New route commit mechanics let you anticipate and clamp down on specific routes.

· Man blitzes are more effective due to tighter coverage and better pursuit.

What to Do Instead:

Mix your route combinations and avoid relying on a few go-to man-beating routes. Learn how to recognize route commits and use motion or double moves to bait defenders. Consider leaning more into zone-beaters when your opponent starts locking down man-to-man.

 

5. Recruiting Hoarding in Dynasty Mode is Over

What's Changed:

In CFB 25, you could stash elite 4- and 5-star recruits for future years with little downside. Even if they sat for a season or two, they'd stick around and bolster your depth chart endlessly.

In CFB 26:

· Dynamic deal breakers affect player satisfaction and loyalty.

· The transfer portal is more active, and players will leave if they feel buried or underutilized.

· You can no longer hoard elite prospects without consequences.

What to Do Instead:

· Be strategic with your recruiting board - only sign players you plan to use in the short term.

· Use the transfer portal proactively to fill roster gaps and recover from unexpected departures.

· Rotate young players into meaningful snaps early to keep them engaged and less likely to transfer.

 

Final Thoughts

College Football 26 is evolving. It's no longer about abusing broken mechanics or leaning on “set-it-and-forget-it” tactics. Whether you're building a Dynasty or dominating in head-to-head matchups, adaptability is key. By understanding these five changes and adjusting your playstyle accordingly, you'll be ahead of the curve come launch day—while your opponents are still wondering why their old tricks no longer work. And if you're looking to get an early edge, keep an eye out for CUT 26 Coins for sale, which can help you unlock key upgrades and stay competitive from the start.