EA Sports College Football 26 - What's In Store For The Panthers

EA Sports College Football 26 is right around the corner, set to be released on July 10th on the Xbox Series X and S and the PlayStation 5. For the FIU Panthers faithful, you’ll notice a few new changes to your gaming experience.

After over a decade of no college football video games, CFB 25 was released last year by EA Sports. The game garnered more than 2.8 million players on launch day alone. After some time, the game became the best-selling American football game in the US in terms of revenue.

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Now, the college football series is alive and well, with numerous changes and upgrades set for CFB 26. There will be over 2,800 new plays on offense and defense. In addition, there are advancements to the Wear & Tear system, Stadium Pulse, commentary, and in-game music, according to EA Sports. However, there are a few notable changes that FIU fans can take advantage of.

Authenticity To The Sidelines

One big change happening to EA Sports College Football 26 is the addition of real-world coaches. All 136 FBS teams will now feature their head coaches and even coordinators on the sidelines.

For the FIU Panthers, it’s confirmed that head coach Willie Simmons, offensive coordinator Nick Coleman, and defensive coordinator Jovan Dewitt are in the game. While not officially confirmed, you’ll likely be able to directly play as Coach Simmons in Dynasty Mode, or create your coach just like CFB 25.

Sadly, it appears that there will be no FCS teams in the game, at least at launch. However, there will be two new teams in the game, as Delaware and Missouri State are joining FBS this upcoming season. Both teams are joining Conference USA and are in FIU’s schedule, so you’ll be able to get a feel for their roster, stadium, and uniforms before the real games later this year.

All About The Looks

On the topic of uniforms, a lot of new looks will be added to EA Sports CFB 26. This includes the Panthers, who are set to reveal a new vice uniform later this season. FIU’s all-white ViceU look was added to CFB 25 in an update not long after they were unveiled.

THEY'RE IN THE GAME, PANTHERS! 😸

In today's update for EA Sports College Football 25, FIU Football's ViceU uniforms have finally been added! 😎#FIU | #Panthers | #PawsUp pic.twitter.com/EFc8GuDaFN

— Paws Up Podcast (@PawsUpPodcast) October 24, 2024

As far as other FIU-based changes go, it’s all speculation from here. One change that I think will be added is the look of the South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium.

In CFB 25, the home of the Panthers still features “Riccardo Silva Stadium” above the scoreboard and doesn’t feature the new Pitbull-based designs both inside and outside the stadium. I think both of these things will be addressed at launch.

While we get to see FIU’s coaches on the sidelines, there’s still one person, or animal, that’s absent – Roary! In CFB 25, all P4 and select G5 teams got their mascots, but Roary was left out. Maybe we’ll see him in CFB 26.

I would love to see the addition of the all-black Vice uniforms from the 2023 season. The OG Vice unis for FIU, they would be a great pairing with the all-white uniforms in Dynasty Mode or Road To Glory.

Regardless, we’ll have to wait and see when EA Sports College Football 26 drops on July 10th.