To win in College Football 26, you have to outsmart your opponent. One way to do so is to utilize Smart Routes, Hot Routes, and Custom Stems.
EA Sports revamped the pre-play options in College Football 26. On offense, you have complete control of pass protection, offensive line shifts, motion plays, and receiver routes. And on defense, you can call stunts, customize zones, shade defenders, and use formation shells.
Before the ball is even snapped, each play is a chess match to get the precise matchup and look you want. On offense, Smart Routes, Hot Routes, and Custom Stems help you get a leg up on the opposition and catch defenses off guard.
College Football 26 Smart Route Explained
In College Football 26, a Smart Route adjusts a receiver’s path so that they either reach the first down marker or the goal line.
Using the pre-snap adjustment is helpful because, on third down, your receiver’s break point will put them in a better position to get enough yards for a first down or touchdown. However, it’s not always useful to use Smart Routes, because there will be instances where you would rather have your receiver have more open field to run after catching a pass.
How to Use a Smart Route in College Football 26
- Before snapping the ball on offense, press Triangle on PlayStation or Y on Xbox.
- Then, press the button icon assigned to the receiver you want to run a Smart Route.
- Press R1 to complete the audible.
How to Use Hot Routes College Football 26
Using a Hot Route in College Football 26 requires players to select an individual receiver and change their route.
- Before snapping the ball on offense, press Triangle on PlayStation or Y on Xbox.
- Then, press the button assigned to the receiver you want to run a Hot Route.
- As indicated by the screen in the bottom left, flick the left or right stick, depending on which route you want them to run.
How to Use a Custom Stem in College Football 26
Custom Stems alter the receiver’s depth of route running. You can either have them come shorter or run deeper based on how the defense is aligned or depending on how many yards you need.
- Before snapping the ball on offense, press Triangle on PlayStation or Y on Xbox.
- Then, press the button assigned to the receiver you want to use a Custom Stem.
- Hold L1 on PlayStation or LB on Xbox and flick either up for a deeper route or down for a shallower route.
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For more on College Football 26, check out the seven best teams to rebuild in Dynasty and how to use the Team Builder.
