2024 College Football Playoff Teams
2024 College Football Playoff Teams
Now that Conference Championship weekend is behind us, we finally have the field set for the first ever 12-team College Football Playoff. Most of these schools have been under the spotlight for years, even decades. Others have just entered college football relevancy this season. Regardless, the expanded college football playoff has grown interest across the country with more teams vying for a national championship.
With the field set, we can now start to individually dissect the 12 teams in the field. We will look at key metrics for each team, their matchups against other playoff teams, key injuries,
#1 Oregon (12-0)
Pass/Run Split: 398/416 (48.9%/51.1%)
Offense:
Pass Offense: 277.6 YPG (14th); 24 passing touchdowns
Run Offense: 170.9 YPG (56th); 27 rushing touchdowns
Defense:
Pass Defense: 171.5 YPG (8th); 9 passing touchdowns
Run Defense: 112.2 YPG (22nd); 12 rushing touchdowns
Strength of Schedule: 60th
Strength of Record: 1st
Games against CFP Field:
9/7: vs. Boise State (W, 37-34)
10/12: vs. Ohio State (W, 32-31)
12/7: Neutral site vs. Penn State (W, 45-37)
Number to Know: 33.9
Scoring average for the Ducks against ranked opponents since Dan Lanning was hired in 2022. 13 of 15 games saw the Ducks score over 30 points. Since Lanning’s coaching debut, when the Ducks lost to the eventual National Champion Georgia Bulldogs, the Ducks average 36.1 PPG.
Player to Know: #44 DL Derrick Harmon
Harmon ranks 9th nationally with 46 quarterback pressures. Harmon has recorded four sacks this year, while forcing and recovering two fumbles.
#2 Georgia (10-2)
Pass/Run Split: 469/345 (57.6%/42.4%)
Offense:
Pass Offense: 297.0 YPG (10th); 28 passing touchdowns
Run Offense: 128.2 YPG (101st); 22 rushing touchdowns
Defense:
Pass Defense: 196.2 YPG (37th); 12 passing touchdowns
Run Defense: 135.8 YPG (44th); 14 rushing touchdowns
Strength of Schedule: 3rd
Strength of Record: 2nd
Games against CFP Field:
8/31: Neutral site vs. Clemson (W, 34-3)
10/19: @ Texas (W, 30-15)
11/16: vs. Tennessee (W, 31-17)
12/7: Neutral site vs. Texas (W, 22-19 (OT))
Number to Know: 50.5%
Blitz rate for Georgia’s defense. This has helped Georgia accumulate 30 sacks this year and record 231 sack yards, tied for the 13th most nationally.
Player to Know: #14 QB Gunner Stockton
Carson Beck was hurt in the SEC Championship and there is a chance he may not return this season. Stockton replaced Beck in the SEC Championship, completing 12 of 16 attempts for 71 yards and an interception. Stockton in his career has completed 37 of 51 attempts for 354 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. The in-state product is a redshirt sophomore, who was a four-star recruit and ranked 110th nationally per 247Sports.
#3 Boise State (11-1)
Pass/Run Split: 342/467 (42.3%/57.7%)
Offense:
Pass Offense: 224.8 YPG (72nd); 21 passing touchdowns
Run Offense: 253.5 YPG (6th); 40 rushing touchdowns
Defense:
Pass Defense: 258.2 YPG (T-118th); 21 passing touchdowns
Run Defense: 106.6 YPG (17th); 13 rushing touchdowns
Strength of Schedule: 86th
Strength of Record: 13th
Games against CFP Field:
9/7: @ Oregon (L, 34-37)
Number to Know: 29th
Ashton Jeanty’s rank among teams this year in rushing yards (2,288). Excluding Boise State, four College Football Playoff teams – Tennessee, Notre Dame, Arizona State, and Penn State – have more rushing yards than Jeanty. While the season has expanded and Jeanty has played his 13th game, he is just 132 yards on the ground away from breaking Barry Sanders’ all-time record.
Player to Know: #7 CB A’Marion McCoy
McCoy is tied for the second most pass breakups nationally with 13. The senior has four interceptions in his career, and returned one for a touchdown this year.
#4 Arizona State (10-2)
Pass/Run Split: 333/486 (40.7%/59.3%)
Offense:
Pass Offense: 224.8 YPG (71st); 22 passing touchdowns
Run Offense: 195 YPG (24th); 25 rushing touchdowns
Defense:
Pass Defense: 219.8 YPG (69th); 14 passing touchdowns
Run Defense: 116.8 YPG (27th); 18 rushing touchdowns
Strength of Schedule: 72nd
Strength of Record: 16th
Games against CFP Field: N/A
Number to Know: 970
Yards after contact for Arizona State running back Cam Skatebo. This is 6th amongst FBS running backs and consists of 52% of his total yards (1,866).
Player to Know: #4 RB Cam Skatebo
Double dipping with Skatebo on this one, but he is the engine that drives this offense, especially in the absence of star receiver Jordyn Tyson. Skatebo ranks 2nd on the team to Tyson in receptions (35) and receiving yards (468). The 468 receiving yards ranks 4th nationally among running backs. In Tyson’s absence in the Big 12 Championship, Skatebo recorded 208 all-purpose yards and three scores.
#5 Texas (11-1)
Pass/Run Split: 424/429 (49.7%/50.3%)
Offense:
Pass Offense: 274.6 YPG (17th); 33 passing touchdowns
Run Offense: 175.5 YPG (52nd); 21 rushing touchdowns
Defense:
Pass Defense: 143.7 YPG (1st); 4 passing touchdowns
Run Defense: 103.5 YPG (12th); 9 rushing touchdowns
Strength of Schedule: 32nd
Strength of Record: 3rd
Games against CFP Field:
10/19: vs. Georgia (L, 15-30)
12/7: Neutral site vs. Georgia (L, 19-22 (OT))
Number to Know: 7.2
Quinn Ewers average depth of target (aDOT). This ranks 73rd of 79 Power Four quarterbacks. This has been a cause for concern for Ewers throughout his college career, and could be due to a collarbone injury suffered earlier in his career..
Player to Know: #78 LT Kelvin Banks Jr.
The starting LT is a key piece to the offense, but is dealing with a left ankle injury. He was unable to play in the SEC Championship against Georgia. This will be something to monitor over the next few weeks until Texas’s first round matchup in the quarterfinal, especially after seeing the Ohio State struggles without starting LT Josh Simmons.
#6 Penn State (11-1)
Pass/Run Split: 336/446 (43%/57%)
Offense:
Pass Offense: 248.2 YPG (40th); 24 passing touchdowns
Run Offense: 194.7 YPG (25th); 26 rushing touchdowns
Defense:
Pass Defense: 169.8 YPG (7th); 11 passing touchdowns
Run Defense: 97.0 YPG (T-7th); 5 rushing touchdowns
Strength of Schedule: 36th
Strength of Record: 4th
Games against CFP Field:
11/2: vs. Ohio State (L, 13-20)
12/7: Neutral site vs. Oregon (L, 37-45)
Number to Know: 38.8%
Pressure rate caused by the Penn State defense. This ranks 10th nationally, led by eventual first-round pick Abdul Carter. Carter has 10 sacks on the year, tied for 11th nationally.
Player to Know: #44 TE Tyler Warren
The likely John Mackey award winner, the do-it-all tight end will line up anywhere for Penn State. He’s lined up on the offensive line, quarterback, running back, and out wide this year. Ranks 10th nationally with 81 receptions (34.8% of Penn State’s team) and 23rd with 978 receiving yards (33.1% of Penn State’s team). Second among tight ends nationally with 49 recorded first downs.
#7 Notre Dame (11-1)
Pass/Run Split: 341/413 (45.2%/54.8%)
Offense:
Pass Offense: 196.4 YPG (101st); 19 passing touchdowns
Run Offense: 224.8 YPG (10th); 40 rushing touchdowns
Defense:
Pass Defense: 157.9 YPG (4th); 9 passing touchdowns
Run Defense: 138.8 YPG (52nd); 11 rushing touchdowns
Strength of Schedule: 57th
Strength of Record: 5th
Games against CFP Field: N/A
Number to Know: 3
The number of top-60 passing offenses the Irish faced this year. They played Louisville (20th), Georgia Tech (48th), and USC (11th). Georgia Tech’s starting quarterback Haynes King was out due to injury. Louisville’s Tyler Shough passed for 264 yards, three touchdowns and an interception; USC’s Jayden Maiava had 360 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Player to Know: #0 S Xavier Watts
Leader of the secondary after the departure of Benjamin Morrison. Tied for 3rd nationally with five interceptions; third on the team with 50 tackles.
#8 Ohio State (10-2)
Pass/Run Split: 357/392 (47.7%/52.3%)
Offense:
Pass Offense: 254.3 YPG (38th); 29 passing touchdowns
Run Offense: 169.2 YPG (60th); 24 rushing touchdowns
Defense:
Pass Defense: 144.2 YPG (2nd); 4 passing touchdowns
Run Defense: 96.8 YPG (6th); 9 rushing touchdowns
Strength of Schedule: 26th
Strength of Record: 6th
Games against CFP Field:
10/12: @ Oregon (L, 31-32)
11/2: @ Penn State (W, 20-13)
11/23: vs. Indiana (W, 38-15)
Number to Know: 4.85 & 3.8
The yards per carry for Ohio State running backs after starting LT Josh Simmons went down, and the yards per carry after starting center Seth McLaughlin went down. Simmons went down against Oregon and was ruled out for the remainder of the season, missing the last six games. McLaughlin suffered an Achilles injury during practice the week of the Indiana game, missing the last two games.
Player to Know: #74 LT Donovan Jackson & #75 C Carson Hinzman
These are the two offensive lineman filling in the gaps due to the injuries above. They will get an extra two weeks of practice, along with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, to draw up a gameplan to make them more comfortable in block schemes against some of the best defenses in the country.
#9 Tennessee (10-2)
Pass/Run Split: 369/519 (41.6%/58.4%)
Offense:
Pass Offense: 230.9 YPG (62nd); 21 passing touchdowns
Run Offense: 232.0 YPG (9th); 32 rushing touchdowns
Defense:
Pass Defense: 178.7 YPG (16th); 9 passing touchdowns
Run Defense: 99.6 YPG (9th); 9 rushing touchdowns
Strength of Schedule: 28th
Strength of Record: 7th
Games against CFP Field:
11/16: @ Georgia (L, 17-31)
Number to Know: 25.9
The yards per reception for Dont’e Thorton Jr. This mark leads the country. While only recording 25 receptions, seven have gone for over 40 yards.
Player to Know: #27 DL James Pearce Jr.
Everyone knows of Nico Iamaleave and Dylan Sampson, the two key pieces to the Vols offense. But James Pearce is the leader in a top tier defense. JPJ has recorded 17 sacks the last two years and has recorded 52 quarterback pressures this year, 5th most nationally.
#10 Indiana (11-1)
Pass/Run Split: 345/446 (43.6%/56.4%)
Offense:
Pass Offense: 265.2 YPG (30th); 31 passing touchdowns
Run Offense: 173.6 YPG (T-56th); 37 rushing touchdowns
Defense:
Pass Defense: 174.0 YPG (10th); 10 passing touchdowns
Run Defense: 70.8 YPG (1st); 10 rushing touchdowns
Strength of Schedule: 65th
Strength of Record: 8th
Games against CFP Field:
11/23: @ Ohio State (L, 15-38)
Number to Know: 2
The number of running backs – Justice Ellison and Ty’Son Lawton – who have double digit touchdowns. Lawton has recorded 12, while Ellison has 10. The Hoosiers are the only team nationally with a pair of running backs to hit this mark – and have seven more scores from the running back room thanks to Elijah Green and Kaelon Black.
Player to Know: DT #6 Mikail Kamara
Kamara was tied for the lead nationally in QB pressures, per Pro Football Focus. The junior recorded 10 sacks off these pressures, tied for 11th nationally.
#11 SMU (11-1)
Pass/Run Split: 361/458 (44.1%/55.9%)
Offense:
Pass Offense: 263.9 YPG (T-31st); 24 passing touchdowns
Run Offense: 177.9 YPG (48th); 28 rushing touchdowns
Defense:
Pass Defense: 230.2 YPG (85th); 20 passing touchdowns
Run Defense: 95.8 YPG (4th); 10 rushing touchdowns
Strength of Schedule: 75th
Strength of Record: 9th
Games against CFP Field:
12/7: Neutral site vs. Clemson (L, 31-34)
Number to Know: 5
Per Pro Football Focus, the number of SMU Mustangs that have recorded 30 quarterback pressures and four sacks. This is headlined by Elijah Roberts, Isaiah Smith, Jared Harrison-Hunte, and Jahfari Harvey.
Player to Know: #1 RB Brashard Smith
Per Pro Football Focus, the highest graded receiving back in the country. Had 18 career carries and 69 receptions before transferring from Miami after the 2023 season. The senior has 193 carries for 1,157 yards and 14 touchdowns this year for the Mustangs.
#12 Clemson (9-3)
Pass/Run Split: 468/398 (54%/46%)
Offense:
Pass Offense: 275.1 YPG (16th); 30 passing touchdowns
Run Offense: 190.6 YPG (T-28th); 23 rushing touchdowns
Defense:
Pass Defense: 206.9 YPG (47th); 18 passing touchdowns
Run Defense: 150.2 YPG (73rd); 13 rushing touchdowns
Strength of Schedule: 53th
Strength of Record: 26th
Games against CFP Field:
8/31: Neutral site vs. Georgia (L, 3-34)
12/7: Neutral site vs. SMU (W, 34-31)
Number to Know: 19.5%
Per Pro Football Focus, the explosive run-rate allowed by the Clemson defense. This is the 4th worst mark among Power-Four schools. The Clemson defense also allows 5.5 YPC to opposing running backs, 110th nationally.
Player to Know: #3 DE T.J. Parker
Former four-star that was ranked 43rd nationally, Parker racked up 10 sacks this year as a true sophomore. He has 15.5 in his two years at Clemson and has recovered a fumble in both seasons.
Who is your pick to win the 2024 College Football Playoff? Let me know on X! Follow me @DrewRoberts_ for more college football and NFL content
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