These 5 Myths Are Destroying Your CFB 26 Dynasty

Jan-17-2026 PST

Dynasty mode in College Football 26 is deeper than ever, but that depth has also created a flood of misinformation. From recruiting strategies to player progression and AI behavior, certain myths keep circulating through forums, comment sections, and social media—and many of them are actively hurting Dynasty saves.

 

After extensive testing and side-by-side comparisons, it’s clear that some commonly accepted “best practices” are doing more harm than good. If you’re trying to build a powerhouse, maximize recruiting efficiency, and make consistent championship runs, it’s time to separate fact from fiction. Below are five of the biggest Dynasty myths in CFB 26—and what actually works instead. A large number of CUT 26 Coins can also be very helpful.

 

Myth 1: Using 40 Hours Is Better Than “Send the House”

 

One of the most popular recruiting beliefs is that spreading 40 recruiting hours across multiple actions—searching social media, DMing the player, contacting friends and family—is more efficient than using “Send the House.” The logic sounds reasonable: more green arrows and a perceived savings of hours.

 

However, testing shows the opposite is true. While the 40-hour approach produces more visible green arrows, those arrows don’t translate into meaningful recruiting success. What actually matters is how much the influence bar moves, and Send the House consistently creates significantly more influence.

 

In repeated head-to-head tests, Send the House outperformed the 40-hour method every single time. The extra arrows are largely cosmetic feedback. If you want faster commitments and stronger positioning in recruiting battles, Send the House remains the most effective option.

 

Myth 2: Players Don’t Progress During the Season

 

Many Dynasty players believe in-season progression is broken. You’ll often see players sitting at zero XP for weeks, even while putting up big numbers. Outside of an occasional quarterback gain, progression can appear nonexistent.

 

The truth lies in XP penalty settings. Most leagues use the default 25% manual progression penalty, which drastically reduces how many points players earn during the season. Testing different penalties through Week 10 revealed a massive difference:

 

1% penalty: Players gained solid XP throughout the season

 

5% penalty: Minimal progression

 

10% penalty: Only key offensive players gained small amounts

 

25% penalty: Almost no visible progression at all

 

Switching to auto progression instantly fixed the issue, with players gaining points and even increasing their overall ratings midseason.

 

There are two reliable solutions:

 

Lower your manual progression penalty to 0–1%

 

Use auto progression during the season, then switch back to manual in the offseason

 

Players can improve during the season—you just need the right settings.

 

Myth 3: Transfer Portal Visits Matter

 

Transfer portal recruiting is another area filled with wasted effort. Many players assume visits—especially high-grade dealbreaker visits—boost influence just like high school recruiting.

 

Unfortunately, testing shows that transfer portal visits currently do nothing. Scheduling visits, spending hours, or even stacking complimentary visits results in zero movement on the influence bar.

 

Whether this is intentional or a bug remains unclear, but the takeaway is simple: don’t waste your time. In the transfer portal, your focus should be entirely on Send the House and reaching a hard sell as quickly as possible. Until this system is changed, visits are just busywork.

 

Myth 4: All Position Changes Are Broken

 

Position changes have scared many Dynasty players this year due to reports of massive skill cap penalties. While those penalties do exist, they don’t apply to every position change.

 

EA quietly patched several position groups, meaning certain changes are now completely safe. You can change positions within these groups without triggering skill cap penalties:

 

Running back ↔ fullback

 

Any offensive line position

 

Defensive line positions

 

Linebackers (SAM, MIKE, WILL)

 

Cornerback ↔ safety

 

Athletes selecting their initial position

 

Problems only arise when moving players across unrelated groups, such as running back to wide receiver or wide receiver to tight end. As long as you stay within approved position families, position changes are not only safe—they’re extremely useful.

 

Myth 5: Adaptive AI Changes How the CPU Plays Against You

 

This myth has gained traction recently, with players claiming the Adaptive AI setting affects how the computer behaves during user-controlled games. In reality, this is a misunderstanding of how the system works.

 

According to official clarification, Adaptive AI settings only influence simulated games in Dynasty mode. The chosen AI profile affects how your team behaves when games are simulated—not how the CPU adapts when you’re actively playing.

 

If the computer seems to play differently based on your selection, it’s likely a placebo effect or confirmation bias. When you’re on the sticks, Adaptive AI has no impact on the opponent’s behavior.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Dynasty success in College Football 26 isn’t just about stick skills—it’s about understanding the systems under the hood. Believing outdated or incorrect advice can cost you recruits, stall player development, and waste valuable time.

 

By focusing on proven strategies—Send the House recruiting, correct XP settings, efficient transfer portal tactics, smart position changes, and realistic expectations for AI—you can gain a real edge over the competition. Having enough cheap CUT 26 Coins can also be very helpful.

 

Don’t let myths dictate how you run your program. Know the mechanics, adjust accordingly, and build the dynasty you’re aiming for.