The wait has finally ended. EA Sports has dropped the trailer for College Football 26, and it is undoubtedly full of upgrades. It has over 300 real-life coaches, a souped-up “Home Field Advantage 2.0,” and more. Dynasty mode is back with new depth, Road to Glory features high school beginnings, and the trophy room is simply great.
And of course, the Texas Longhorns are very much in the trailer. But that’s where the drama starts.
EA Sports Misses the Mark? Texas Fans Slam Arch Manning and Steve Sarkisian Look in CFB 26
When the trailer for College Football 26 hit the internet, Texas fans ran straight to the comments. The trailer features Arch Manning and head coach Steve Sarkisian. Despite the presence, the fandom seems to think that EA fumbled big time.
Arch and Sark in the New College Football 26 Game 👀 pic.twitter.com/7v2FEkPtUf
— Orangebloods.com (@orangebloods_) May 29, 2025
So much so that a Longhorns fan went on to write, “Did Sark dirty lol.” That is the general mood. While it sounds harsh, let’s not forget the Longhorns’ loyalty to football. And if that wasn’t enough, Arch Manning isn’t just another player. He is the man they’ve pinned the future of the program on. But that’s not all the criticism.
Another fan chimed in with, “No Sark vest? Psh.” That’s a big one considering the fact that it’s Steve Sarkisian’s signature sideline style. Sarkisian is always seen in his long-sleeved shirts and a vest. Come August or December, he is always in the same fit. Missing that is a big oops from EA.
There were others who weren’t kind either. Another netizen went on to write, “Looks like early NES graphics.” Manning and Sarkisian are football royalty. With a name like Manning and a pedigree that includes uncles Peyton and Eli, they expect greatness even in pixels. And Steve Sarkisian’s been the guy rebuilding Texas since 2021. But netizens did not stop there.
Another added, “@EASPORTSCollege just money grabbing. Ain’t no way we in 2025 with graphics like this and calling it ‘new’.” It is fair considering the fact that EA Sports has brought in massive changes like drones, Sooner Schooner ritual, Texas Tech’s Masked Rider, and more. So getting the two big names with bad graphics is sad.
Let’s not forget that Texans love Sarkisian. He has led the fandom’s beloved Longhorns through the Big 12 to the SEC. The man coached in the NFL, took Alabama’s offense to new heights, and now has Texas on the brink of another championship run. So when fans saw the avatar look off, they could not simply digest it.
It is quite ironic. EA packed CFB 26 with game-changing upgrades like 2700 new plays, transfer portal tweaks, cross-play in Dynasty mode, and over 160 school-specific chants. But the little details seemed to have slipped. And that’s what fans live for. And for Texas loyalists, Sark’s vest and Arch’s likeness are sacred ground.
KEEP READING: Will EA Sports College Football 26 Include FCS Teams?
Still, with all the backlash, it is evident that fans care deeply. Maybe too deeply. But that is Texas football’s legacy, a lifestyle, and in this case, a battle over digital fashion choices and facial animations.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
