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If you're eager to CUT 26 Coins gain a competitive edge quickly and dominate the gridiron, here are eight essential tips to get you started in College Football 26: 1. Embrace the Run Game Running the ball has always been a core strategy, but this year, it has become even more rewarding. Last year, running the ball as an underdog was frustrating. For instance, when I led UTSA into a playoff matchup against Georgia, I struggled to get even 46 rushing yards. Thankfully, EA Sports made significant upgrades to the offensive line targeting system. Linemen now effectively disengage from double-teams to open interior running lanes and can seamlessly transition to the second level to block linebackers and safeties. You'll even witness moments where a lineman sheds a block to pancake an approaching safety. The improved interior runs and dives allow offensive linemen to adjust and pick up blitzing defenders better than ever. In the previous edition, linemen would inexplicably ignore rushers charging through the gap. Now, consistency in run blocking has made ground attacks a reliable option in both offline and online matchups. My advice? Secure a quality running back and repeatedly call shotgun inside zone plays. You'll likely find a lot more offensive rhythm than in past versions. 2. Master the Stiff-Arm With the running game receiving enhancements, adding effective ball-carrier moves will turn moderate gains into huge plays. The stiff-arm move has become the most potent ball-carrier tool this year. While last year the spin move, especially with players like Ohio State's Quinshon Judkins, dominated thanks to specific player abilities, the stiff-arm has taken center stage in College Football 26. It's so powerful at launch that even smaller ball-carriers can use it effectively, possibly prompting a future nerf. To utilize the stiff-arm, simply press the A button on Xbox or X on PlayStation whenever a defender approaches. Timing it right will either send your opponent to the turf, allow you to break the tackle, or help you gain extra yards. It has proven effective enough that I recommend attempting a stiff-arm even when running through small gaps, as bouncing off defenders often results in impressive yardage gains. 3. Get Comfortable with the Switch Stick The "switch stick" mechanic revolutionized user-controlled defense last year and remains crucial this year. It allows you to switch defenders before the quarterback releases the ball, offering you the opportunity to bait passes and snatch easy interceptions. Unlike switching after the ball is in flight, pre-throw switching enhances defensive anticipation and elevates your ability to control the outcome of a play. Mastering this mechanic creates a distinct skill gap in competitive play and will likely continue to do so throughout College Football 26. If you didn't leverage this feature last year, now is the time to incorporate it into your defensive strategy. 4. Rethink Your Defense: Man Coverage with a Twist In past EA football titles, I heavily leaned toward zone coverage, enjoying the strategy of confusing opponents with zone rotations and blitz packages. Man coverage has historically been less effective because routes like corners, posts, slants, drags, and whips would consistently beat defenders, even if they had special man coverage abilities. This year, EA introduced a groundbreaking addition: the ability to predict and counter specific route tendencies within man coverage. If you know an opponent frequently uses a slot receiver on slant routes, you can instruct your slot corner to defend the inside field, completely shutting down the route. This works across multiple routes, including whip routes, corners, and posts. However, it comes with a gamble. Predict the wrong direction, and your defender will be out of position, leaving the receiver wide open. This risk-reward system prevents man coverage from becoming overpowered and rewards players who study their opponents' habits. I still favor zone as my default strategy, but man coverage now holds real potential as a complementary option in my defensive schemes. 5. Dynasty Mode Requires Strategy Dynasty Mode has always been my favorite way to experience college football gaming, and EA Sports College Football 26 makes it better than ever. The revamped recruiting system adds an entirely new layer of strategy. Gone are the days of loading up on five-star recruits and cruising to national championships. In my first season as UTSA's head coach, I approached recruiting with my old mindset: chase top-ranked players without regard for system fits or dealbreakers. My 8-4 season ended in disaster as 21 players transferred out, devastating my roster. I also lost several recruiting battles thanks to EA's new "dynamic dealbreakers" system, which forces coaches to be more selective and strategic. Now, choosing the right players for your scheme and balancing short-term needs with long-term development is vital. Coaches must prepare contingency plans for likely transfer departures while also aligning recruiting classes with the program's core philosophies. This intentional approach creates deeper immersion and prevents players from cheap CUT 26 Coins dominating simply by stockpiling talent.