When you first dive into College Football 26, the sheer number of plays in each playbook can feel overwhelming. Dozens of formations, hundreds of plays, and countless variations mean there’s always something new to try—but when you just want to move the ball or get a quick stop on defense, flipping through endless menus wastes valuable time. Having enough CUT 26 Coins helps you save time. That’s where the Favorites system comes in.

 

Favoriting plays gives you a custom-tailored mini-playbook built around the strategies you trust most. Whether you’re an offensive mastermind who loves spreading the field or a defensive coordinator at heart who thrives on blitz packages, this feature lets you quickly access your best plays without scrolling endlessly.

 

If you’re ready to take control of your playcalling, here’s everything you need to know about favoriting plays in College Football 26, plus tips on how to use this tool to elevate your game.

 

How to Favorite Plays in College Football 26

 

The process is simple, but easy to miss if you’re new to the series.

 

Enter the play-call screen during a game

 

This is the menu you see in the huddle after a down, where you normally browse through formation categories and individual plays.

 

Double-tap the play you want to favorite

 

On most systems, this means double-pressing the button assigned to select a play. Once you do this, a small star icon will appear next to it, marking it as one of your favorites.

 

Access your Favorites tab

 

On Xbox, press RB/LB to cycle through the play-call tabs. Favorites is located just to the right of “Play Type.” Here, you’ll see every play you’ve marked as a favorite.

 

That’s it—you’ve now built a shortcut menu of your go-to calls.

 

How the Favorites System Works

 

The beauty of this feature is that it transcends individual playbooks. Any play you favor will appear in the tab as long as the current playbook contains that same play. For example, if you favor a “Cover 3 Sky” in one defensive book, it will also appear in others that carry the same play.

 

This makes the Favorites system especially powerful on defense. Since many defensive playbooks share common coverages and blitzes, you can build a universal quick-call set of plays that you’ll recognize no matter which team you’re using.

 

On offense, the system is just as useful but slightly more playbook-dependent. Certain schools may not run identical formations or concepts, so not every favorite will carry over. Still, this allows you to build consistency into your offensive identity.

 

Why Favoriting Plays Matters

 

At first glance, it might feel like a small quality-of-life tool. But once you start using it, you’ll realize how much it speeds up decision-making and sharpens your gameplay.

 

Consistency under pressure – When the play clock is winding down, the last thing you want to do is scroll through 15 formations. Favorites let you call your bread-and-butter plays instantly.

 

Building a play identity – Everyone has a handful of plays that “just work.” Maybe it’s a mesh concept that always finds your slot receiver open, or a blitz that rattles quarterbacks on third down. Saving them as favorites ensures they’re always one button away.

 

Faster adjustments – If an opponent is spamming the same offensive look, having your trusted counter plays bookmarked makes it much easier to respond.

 

Think of it as carrying around a mini-playbook within the larger one, tailored entirely to your style.

 

Offensive Strategies for Favorites

 

On offense, favoring plays can help you build a game plan within the game plan. Instead of constantly experimenting, you’ll have a core set of plays to lean on. Here are a few categories worth favoriting:

 

Money plays – These are the plays you’ve had consistent success with, whether it’s a deep post against man coverage or a quick RPO against aggressive defenses.

 

Check-down options – Always keep at least one safe, short-yardage play in your favorites. A reliable slant or curl route is perfect when you just need to keep the chains moving.

 

Situational runs – Whether it’s an inside zone on 3rd-and-2 or a jet sweep to catch the defense off guard, having a few rushing plays bookmarked keeps your offense versatile.

 

By combining a few reliable pass and run plays, your Favorites tab essentially becomes a compact offensive system designed for any situation.

 

Defensive Strategies for Favorites

 

Defense is where this system really shines. With so much overlap between playbooks, you can build a versatile defensive toolbox that works regardless of team. Plays worth favoriting include:

 

Base coverages – Keep staples like Cover 2, Cover 3, or Quarters coverage at the ready to fall back on.

 

Blitz packages – Having your favorite blitzes instantly accessible is critical for surprise pressure.

 

Third-down stoppers – Bookmark a couple of plays that excel at preventing conversions, whether that’s a man coverage with safety help or a disguised zone.

 

With these in your Favorites, you’ll never feel lost—even if you’re playing with an unfamiliar team.

 

Tips for Maximizing Your Favorites Tab

 

Don’t overload it. The temptation is to favor everything, but that defeats the purpose. Stick to 6–12 plays you know like the back of your hand.

 

Update over time. As you discover new plays that click with your style, swap them in. Your Favorites should evolve just like your playcalling.

 

Practice with your set. Head into Practice Mode and run your favorites repeatedly. The better you know them, the faster you’ll execute under pressure.

 

Think situationally. Include plays for short yardage, red zone, third-and-long, and two-minute drill scenarios.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Favoriting plays in College Football 26 is more than just a convenience—it’s a way to craft your personal playbook inside the game. By bookmarking your most reliable offensive and defensive calls, you eliminate wasted time, gain confidence in high-pressure moments, and sharpen your overall strategy.

 

Whether you’re a newcomer learning the ropes or a seasoned player climbing the online leaderboards, taking advantage of the Favorites system is one of the smartest ways to elevate your game. Master it early, having a large amount of CFB 26 Coins helps you get the hang of it quickly, and you’ll always have a winning plan just a button press away.