Hard stop on skill based defense take. With over 4000 games play in Road to CFP in 25 I understand and get how defense can and should be played in this game. Yes skill is a factor, but most teams cant play a lick of D in this game. That's why margin of victory is so low in the game compared to the 17.5 margin that was in last years college football season.
After about 200+ grinding game in 26, I have seen and found a bug in the defense that make all defenses(regardless of rating) play dumb as hell. Which is probably why most team cant stop a nose bleed in 26.
Regarding Stadium Pulse....if 1 QB that has ever played the game can tell me that crowd noise keep them for looking at the defense and being able to select and throw a pass I'd live with the current state of Stadium Pulse. That ? icon is the dumbest thing ever placed in a game outside of System Hack in Call of Duty years ago!! With the current SEC scheduled almost all of us are playing each seeing, unless you're really good(which I am average on a good day) you're bound to go 8-4 or 9-3 at best and not make the CFP.