Some schools have a long history of struggles, and taking them on in Dynasty Mode is not for the faint of heart. Akron and Kent State in the MAC are rated as zero-star prestige programs.

Akron has just two winning seasons in the past 20 years.

Kent State is reeling after back-to-back years of one and zero wins.

Rice, a one-star team in the AAC, has seen bowl games recently but hasn't finished with a winning record since 2014.

Choosing one of these schools is a gamble. Success will come slowly, but if you do manage to turn them around, it's one of the most gratifying experiences in the game.

Reviving a Downtrodden Program

Some programs aren't brand-new or bottom-of-the-barrel but have fallen on hard times. In College Football 26, these include Purdue, Virginia, Stanford, and Louisiana Tech.

Purdue went 1-11 last season and lost key players to the transfer portal.

Virginia has just three winning seasons since 2010 and only 11 wins in the past three years.

Stanford, once a national contender, has managed only three wins in each of the past four seasons, struggling with realignment and NIL challenges.

Louisiana Tech hasn't topped five wins since 2019 and is now a one-star program.

These schools all have proud traditions and flashes of past success. The challenge lies in restoring them to relevance in conferences that won't make things easy.

Stepping Stone Schools

If your goal is to climb the coaching ladder rather than stay in one place forever, look for programs that set you up for the next big job. Schools like James Madison, UNLV, and Washington State are prime examples.

James Madison has a strong roster and the talent to dominate the Sun Belt.

UNLV is on the rise in the Mountain West and is a great platform for advancement.

Washington State has a track record of producing coaches who get hired away.

Succeeding at these schools could make your virtual coach an attractive candidate for Power Four jobs, mirroring real-life coaching moves.

Attach Yourself to a Rising Coach

College Football 26 also lets you play as real-life head coaches, giving you another way to approach Dynasty Mode. Choosing someone with upward mobility can change how your journey unfolds.

Jon Sumrall (Troy/Tulane) and Kenny Dillingham (Arizona State) are young stars in the coaching world.

Bob Chesney (James Madison) is coming off a nine-win debut season.

Jeff Monken (Army) has been solid for years and is often linked to bigger jobs.

Or go bold with a big name like Eddie George at Bowling Green.

This path adds a personal twist, letting you live out the career of a coach poised for bigger opportunities.

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