Another common mistake is focusing too much on individual routes rather than the space they're attacking. Strong passers don't think, "I'm throwing to CUT 26 Coins the tight end." They think, "I'm throwing to the right flat," or "I'm attacking the short seam."

This mindset helps you react faster when defenses do something unexpected. If a route looks covered or "weird," don't force it. Move your eyes immediately. Lingering on a bad look is how interceptions happen.

Good reads feel decisive. If you don't like what you see within a moment, get off it and move on to the next progression.

Use Shotgun Formations for Safer Passing

Formation choice plays a massive role in limiting interceptions. In College Football 26, shotgun formations are far superior for passing compared to under-center sets.

From shotgun, you gain:

More time to read the field

Better protection against blitzes

Stronger halfback pickup on pressure

Access to better route combinations and RPOs

Under-center passing relies heavily on play action, which simply isn't as effective in the game as it is in real football. Shotgun gives you cleaner reads, faster decisions, and better spacing-everything you need to protect the football.

If passing is a core part of your offense, shotgun should be your default.

Learn to Throw the Ball Away

One of the simplest but most overlooked mechanics is throwing the ball away. When a play breaks down and nothing is open, forcing a pass is the worst possible option.

Clicking the right stick lets you safely throw the ball away and live to fight another day. This isn't a failure-it's smart football. You can also roll out slightly to avoid pressure before throwing it away if needed.

There are even situations where going down intentionally with your quarterback is the right move, especially when protecting the ball or managing the clock. These small decisions save possessions and prevent momentum-shifting turnovers.

Optimize Your Passing Settings

Your settings matter more than most players realize. Using Placement & Accuracy passing gives you the most control and consistency, regardless of skill level. Reticle speed should be set to something manageable-around 7 is a strong balance for precision without overcorrection.

Avoid unnecessary passing assists that interfere with manual control. Clean settings paired with good reads will immediately improve your interception rate.

Master Pass Leading (This Changes Everything)

If there's one skill that separates average players from elite passers, it's pass leading. Using the left stick while throwing allows you to NCAA Football 26 Coins place the ball away from defenders instead of directly at the receiver.