On offense, favoring plays can help you build a game plan within the game plan. Instead of constantly experimenting, you,ll have a core set of plays to CUT 26 Coins lean on. Here are a few categories worth favoriting:
Money plays – These are the plays you,ve had consistent success with, whether it,s a deep post against man coverage or a quick RPO against aggressive defenses.
Check-down options – Always keep at least one safe, short-yardage play in your favorites. A reliable slant or curl route is perfect when you just need to keep the chains moving.
Situational runs – Whether it,s an inside zone on 3rd-and-2 or a jet sweep to catch the defense off guard, having a few rushing plays bookmarked keeps your offense versatile.
By combining a few reliable pass and run plays, your Favorites tab essentially becomes a compact offensive system designed for any situation.
Defensive Strategies for Favorites
Defense is where this system really shines. With so much overlap between playbooks, you can build a versatile defensive toolbox that works regardless of team. Plays worth favoriting include:
Base coverages – Keep staples like Cover 2, Cover 3, or Quarters coverage at the ready to fall back on.
Blitz packages – Having your favorite blitzes instantly accessible is critical for surprise pressure.
Third-down stoppers – Bookmark a couple of plays that excel at preventing conversions, whether that,s a man coverage with safety help or a disguised zone.
With these in your Favorites, you,ll never feel lost-even if you,re playing with an unfamiliar team.
Tips for Maximizing Your Favorites Tab
Don,t overload it. The temptation is to favor everything, but that defeats the purpose. Stick to 6–12 plays you know like the back of your hand.
Update over time. As you discover new plays that click with your style, swap them in. Your Favorites should evolve just like your playcalling.
Practice with your set. Head into Practice Mode and run your favorites repeatedly. The better you know them, the faster you,ll execute under pressure.
Think situationally. Include plays for short yardage, red zone, third-and-long, and two-minute drill scenarios.
Final Thoughts
Favoriting plays in College Football 26 is more than just a convenience-it,s a way to craft your personal playbook inside the game. By bookmarking your most reliable offensive and defensive calls, you eliminate wasted time, gain confidence in high-pressure moments, and sharpen your overall strategy.
Whether you,re a newcomer learning the ropes or a seasoned player climbing the online leaderboards, taking advantage of the Favorites system is one of the smartest ways to elevate your game. Master it early, having a large amount of CFB 26 Coins helps you get the hang of it quickly, and you,ll always have a winning plan just a button press away.
If every time you drop back to pass feels like flipping a coin-sometimes you complete a play, other times you gift-wrap an interception-you're not alone. Every player has been there, staring down double coverage or watching a user defender pick off what felt like a perfect throw. But here's the good news: with the right fundamentals, you can turn those chaotic drives into consistent, efficient offensive series. Having a lot of CUT 26 Coins can help you a lot. In this College Football 26 passing tutorial, I'll walk you through techniques, settings, and strategies that will instantly improve your game.
Ball Placement: The Hidden Key to Consistency
One of the biggest reasons for incompletions is poor ball placement. Simply throwing “to” your receiver isn't enough. You need to throw in a way that ensures he stays open and the defender never has a chance to make a play.
Back shoulder throws: Against tight coverage, aim the left stick toward the outside shoulder so only your receiver has access to the ball.
Slants with lurking defenders: If a linebacker is waiting to blow up the play, lead the pass slightly behind your receiver to protect him.
Crossing routes: Aim away from defenders to keep the ball in front, maximizing catch opportunities.
That said, don't overdo it. If your receiver is already wide open, forcing pass leading can turn an easy throw into a miss. Practice recognizing true openings and save ball placement adjustments for contested looks.
Quick tip: go into settings and set Pass Lead Sensitivity to Medium. Higher settings make throws harder to control and increase incompletions.
Understanding Passing Types
College Football 26 offers multiple passing systems, each with pros and cons. Choosing the right one for your style makes a massive difference.
Classic Passing
The most straightforward system. Press the receiver button, add slight left-stick adjustments, and let it fly. Ideal if you want to focus purely on reading defenses without overthinking mechanics.
Revamped Passing
Adds a color-coded accuracy meter: blue for accurate, yellow for risky, and red for danger zone. The longer you hold the button, the stronger the throw. A clean pocket produces more blue; pressure or movement means more yellow or red.
Placement Passing
For players who like precision. By holding the left trigger and moving the left stick, you manually aim your passes using a reticle. Adjust reticle speed in settings (around 8 is recommended). Great for back-shoulder throws and sideline placement.
Placement + Accuracy
The advanced option-think of it as calculus for passing. You control both placement and throw type (lob, touch, or bullet). This unlocks layered throws: high arcs over defenders, medium arcs over linebackers, or bullets for quick hitters.
Offensive Line Awareness
Your offensive line dictates your playcalling. With a strong line, you can dial up deeper routes and longer-developing plays. With a weak line, forget the hero ball-stick to quick passes, slants, and screens.
Also, don't be afraid to keep extra blockers in. Sending five receivers out every play is asking for pressure. Even one extra blocker can buy you the time you need.
Field Vision: Read the Grass, Not Just the Receiver
One of the fastest ways to improve is by shifting focus. Instead of staring at your receiver, watch the space he's running into. This helps you spot open windows before he arrives and anticipate lurking defenders.
Adopt a high-to-low progression. Always check the deepest routes first (streaks, posts), then move down to shorter ones (drags, flats). This prevents you from missing potential touchdowns by settling for “safe” throws too quickly.
Another trick: before the snap, identify the second-level defenders (linebackers and safeties). Imagine a straight line across the field where they're positioned. As the play develops, see how long they can hold that line-gaps usually mean open passing lanes.
Outsmarting User Defenders
User-controlled defenders are the most dangerous opponents. Identify them immediately after the snap. Then, put them in impossible situations with high-low reads. One route goes over, another underneath-no matter what the user does, someone's open. For added complexity, create triangles with buy CUT 26 Coins three routes converging in the same zone.