For Army players, this is a game-changer. Because service academies already face recruiting challenges in real life, managing your board wisely is crucial. Redshirting freshmen to maximize their four years of eligibility feels true to the program's culture, and if you're looking to mimic Coach Monken's approach, repurposing athletic recruits into CUT 26 Coins different positions is still a viable long-term strategy.

Army's Offense: The Run Game Struggles

Here's where things get tricky. The Army's bread and butter has always been the triple-option and power run game, but in College Football 26, rushing feels inconsistent. Offensive line play is shaky, making it difficult to execute traditional Army staples like the Rocket Toss.

The option system itself also feels less reliable. Pitch logic is off, with running backs failing to maintain proper position, which often leads to mistimed tosses or even turnovers. Run-Pass Options (RPOs) and triple-option plays remain in the playbook, but they're riskier to use at higher difficulties.

This lack of balance is frustrating, especially since college football as a whole leans heavily on the run compared to the NFL. Most college quarterbacks simply aren't accurate enough to run pro-style passing schemes, which is why the option remains such a staple in real life. For Army players, the current state of the run game makes things harder than they should be. Hopefully, future patches bring improvements.

Passing the Ball

On the flip side, passing mechanics have seen some refinement. You can still choose from multiple passing settings, but accuracy and throwing power play a huge role in your success. Speed mismatches at the receiver also matter more than ever, as defenders close quickly on poorly thrown balls.

For Army players, this means interceptions are a real risk, especially on higher difficulty levels like All-American or Heisman. Recruiting a quarterback with above-average arm strength and accuracy should be a top priority if you want to expand beyond the traditional option game.

Defense

Defensively, the Army still operates best with bend-don't-break principles, but EA has added more depth to pre-snap adjustments. You can now disguise coverages, bluff blitzes, or assign spies to quarterbacks more effectively. This gives you more tools to adapt to opponents, though defensive AI still feels a step behind offensive polish.

Customization and Sliders

To get the most out of your Army experience, sliders and custom settings are essential. You can import sliders from your online dynasty commissioner or fine-tune your own in NCAA Football 26 Coins offline play. Adjusting fatigue, injuries, and even the "Even Teams" setting can shift the balance toward realism or arcade-style fun, depending on your preference.