College Football 26 Passing Guide – Passing Types, Controls & More

In our College Football 26 Passing Manual, we will demonstrate various passing techniques and help you choose which ones are most effective. In total, College Football 26 includes four different types of passes as well as new ways to tailor your strategy with features like custom pass protections, unique stem routes, and more. If you’ve played College Football 25 before, you’ll notice some similarities but we’ll also delve into the new elements in this guide. For those who are new to the game, let’s explore the ins and outs of College Football 26 Passing Manual.

All Passing Types in College Football 26 & How They Work

EA Sports College Football 26 features four different passing types:

  • Classic
  • Placement
  • Placement & Accuracy
  • Revamped Passing

To start off, the Classic Passing system operates in a manner that’s quite intuitive. If you have experience with older versions of NCAA Football games or earlier Madden titles, this setup will be familiar to you. As someone who appreciates traditional gameplay, I personally find this configuration appealing. Unlike some modern systems, Classic Passing doesn’t rely on tricks or quick button presses. Instead, you can still manipulate the direction of your pass using the analog stick. In essence, the effectiveness of Classic Passing is determined by your player’s skill ratings.

With placement passing, you’ll find you have greater command over the distance and force of your throw. Although your accuracy will still depend on your rating, you’ll have a greater say in how far you’d like the ball to travel. If you value power over precision, then placement is the way to go for you.

Mastering Skills in Power & Precision is similar, yet it places stronger emphasis on Power & Precision. It may require more effort to master, but you’ll gain greater control over your power and precision. However, remember that your level of precision heavily relies on the timing of your passes. Therefore, it would be beneficial to practice extensively before employing this skill in critical situations.

To wrap it up, let’s talk about Enhanced Passing, making a comeback yet again. Essentially, this feature employs a power gauge to assess the strength of your throw. You can opt for precision over power or go for a perfect pass based on the timing of your ball release. Similar to last season, the system deploys three distinct meters to evaluate your pass: one for power, another for accuracy, and a third for the outcome, providing valuable feedback on your throws.

  • Red – Too much power on the throw, pass is less accurate and more difficult for receiver to catch
  • Blue – An accurate throw (Good pass)
  • Gold – Perfect throw

Keep in mind that a “perfect” or “Gold” throw doesn’t guarantee a successful catch every time. Similarly, missing your mark isn’t an automatic consequence of using red. Instead, you have the option to pass the ball to your teammate and try to catch it together during passes.

What’s the Best Passing Type? – College Football 26 Passing Guide

In the same vein as last season, it’s suggested that you consider adopting either the Classic or Modernized Passing System for College Football this year. Your choice should reflect your preferred playing style.

As an old-school gaming enthusiast, if you’re yearning for a nostalgic experience that harks back to the good ol’ days, I’d recommend diving into Classic mode. It eschews trendy gimmicks and instead offers a raw, unadulterated gaming experience where skill truly matters. You can still shine without relying on fancy new features – it’s all about you and the game.

If you’re looking for something fresh, the Revamped Passing system could be just what you need! It offers you the highest level of control over your passes. If you enjoy playing online or competitively, mastering this system will provide you with a significant edge. However, do keep in mind that there might be a learning curve as you work to master it.

College Football 26 Passing Controls

ActionPlayStation 5Xbox Series X|S
Throw Receiver 1XA
Throw Receiver 2OB
Throw Receiver 3SquareX
Throw Receiver 4TriangleY
Throw Receiver 5R1RB
Pump FakeDouble Tap Receiver ButtonDouble Tap Receiver Icon
ScrambleL3 +R2LS +RT
High Pass ModifierL1LB
Free Form on PlacementL2LT
Throw Ball AwayR3 (During Play)RS (During Play)

Additionally, before a play begins you can also customize a few things:

  • To Call an Audible –  Press Square/X to see a list of plays (Use D-Pad to switch between different formations)
  • To open up the Pre-Play menu – press R3 before the play begins
  • To open up your Subs menu – Press up on the D-Pad

Similar to Madden NFL, you have control over the type of pass you throw based on your button input. Quickly tap the button for a lofted pass, or hold it down for a fast, powerful pass. Regular button presses will result in standard or touch passes.

Hot Routes, Custom Stems, & Pass Protections – College Football 26 Passing Guide

In simpler terms, the latest iteration of College Football 26 offers enhanced pass control features, including innovative pass protections, strategic hot routes, and personalized route stems. However, one might wonder about the process of configuring these elements. So, let’s discuss how to set them up.

In College Football 26, to arrange a pass protection, navigate to your Playmaker Menu using R3 or RS, followed by pressing L1/LB. Doing so offers you multiple options for customizing your offensive line according to your preferred strategy.

To establish a Personal Stem on your WR, first, press the Triangle (or Y) button, followed by the icon of your receiver. For instance, if your receiver is O or B, press Triangle/Y, then O/B. Subsequently, press L1 to create a custom stem specifically for your receiver. However, remember to keep an eye on the play clock during this process.

Additionally, you can personalize your player’s hot route settings too. Simply press Y/Triangle, then select your receiver’s icon. After that, utilize the Right stick or d-pad to choose a distinct route for your receiver. If you prefer your top receiver to aim for a long pass, or if a slant seems like a better option based on the situation, you have the freedom to control the direction of the play.

In summary, we’ve concluded our comprehensive guide on College Football Passing Strategies. We trust it assisted you in discovering the passing approach that suits you most effectively. Wishing you great success as your quarterback skillfully dismantles opposing defenses en route to contending for the Heisman Trophy!

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2025-07-08 18:40