With the College Football Playoff quarterfinals set and the classic New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day bowls approaching, this stretch represents a dream scenario for college football fanatics. After a relatively lackluster first round, Round 2 presents significantly better matchups, featuring what are clearly eight of the best teams in the country competing on the sport’s biggest stage.
Using PFSN’s Offensive Impact season grades, we stack the remaining teams from worst to first offensively. Make no mistake, there are no bad offenses left. But even among elite teams, separation exists. Let’s rank them.
8) Texas Tech Red Raiders
PFSN OFFi Grade: 82.2
Texas Tech comes in last offensively among the quarterfinalists, though “last” is relative. An 82.2 grade is far from poor, but when dissecting this Red Raiders team, the offense is clearly the weaker side of the ball. Their defense has carried them all season and grades out as one of the top five units nationally.
Interestingly, Texas Tech leads this group in total passing yards (3,762) and ranks second in passing touchdowns (33). However, efficiency has been an issue. They sit fifth out of eight in yards per play (6.4), highlighting a pass-heavy approach that does not always translate into sustained success.
If Texas Tech is going to make a deep run, it will be through a stifling defense paired with an offense that must remain efficient, disciplined, and mistake-free.
7) Alabama Crimson Tide
PFSN OFFi Grade: 83.6
Alabama’s offensive profile is shocking by traditional standards. This is a one-dimensional attack, leaning almost entirely on the passing game with virtually no running threat.
The Tide rank dead last, eighth, among the quarterfinal teams in rushing attempts, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns, a glaring concern when playoff football typically hinges on controlling the line of scrimmage and time of possession.
Quarterback Ty Simpson has played efficient, mistake-free football, throwing just five interceptions, the fewest of the group. The question moving forward is philosophical. Does Alabama attempt to reinvent itself on the ground, or does it double down on a lethal aerial attack and hope hero ball carries it through?
6) Georgia Bulldogs
PFSN OFFi Grade: 84.5
Georgia’s offense reflects balance more than brilliance. There is no singular X-factor carrying the unit, but the Bulldogs can both run and throw the ball effectively.
Their biggest strength shows up in the red zone. Georgia leads all quarterfinal teams with a 79.2% red-zone touchdown rate, meaning when it gets inside the 20-yard line, it almost always finishes with six points.
The inconsistency comes in getting there. A few up-and-down performances over the season prevent Georgia from ranking higher, landing it sixth despite its efficiency near the goal line.
5) Miami Hurricanes
PFSN OFFi Grade: 84.5
Miami checks in with the same offensive grade as Georgia, and the similarities do not stop there, especially at quarterback. Former Georgia QB Carson Beck now leads the Hurricanes, creating an oddly familiar offensive feel.
Miami gashed Texas A&M on the ground in Round 1, but rushing success has not been its season-long identity. The Hurricanes average just 150.08 rushing yards per game, seventh of eight, and rank seventh in rushing touchdowns (23).
Given the NIL investment in Beck, it was notable that Miami did not fully trust him to win through the air against the Aggies. Against a stout Ohio State defense, will Miami try to run its way to victory again, or finally put the game in Beck’s hands to do what he was brought in to do?
4) Ole Miss Rebels
PFSN OFFi Grade: 85.2
Ole Miss has been lethal offensively all season, driven by one of the most surprising transfer-fueled backfields in the country. QB Trinidad Chambliss and RB Kewan Lacy have formed a dynamic duo that can stress defenses in multiple ways.
The Rebels rank second among the eight in passing yards (3,715) and first in rushing touchdowns (32). The production is undeniable.
However, much of that success was attributed to Lane Kiffin’s involvement. After an offensive onslaught against Tulane, all eyes now turn to OC Charlie Weis Jr. Can he deliver an encore performance on the playoff stage?
3) Oregon Ducks
PFSN OFFi Grade: 86.8
Oregon does not run many plays, but it does not need to. The Ducks lead all quarterfinal teams in yards per play (7.1), maximizing every offensive snap with explosive efficiency.
They rank third in points per drive (3.27) and boast the second-best rushing attack, averaging 218.41 yards per game. That balance pairs well with quarterback Dante Moore, viewed by PFSN as the QB1 in the draft consensus, and elite tight end Kenyon Sadiq (TE1).
This offense has multiple ways to beat opponents and the ability to explode at any moment. Oregon is as dangerous as anyone left.
2) Ohio State Buckeyes
PFSN OFFi Grade: 91.7
Ohio State’s offense is a well-oiled machine, led by a dangerous passing trio: Heisman finalist QB Julian Sayin and standout receivers Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith.
The Buckeyes rank third in yards per play (6.8) and second in points per drive (3.44). They are explosive yet disciplined, throwing just six interceptions, the second fewest among the eight teams.
Protection has also been elite. Ohio State owns a 2.9% sack rate, second-lowest in the field. With Ryan Day now calling plays following Brian Hartline’s departure to USF, expect even more creativity as the Buckeyes push for a title.
1) Indiana Hoosiers
PFSN OFFi Grade: 93.0
Indiana stands alone at the top, and for good reason: its offense shows no weaknesses.
In the passing game, Heisman winner and projected top-five pick QB Fernando Mendoza leads the unit with 38 touchdown throws. On the ground, Indiana averages 221.15 rushing yards per game, the best mark among the quarterfinalists. In terms of efficiency, the Hoosiers have committed the fewest turnovers (eight), scored the most points per drive (3.57), and are tied for first in yards per play (7.1).
The team performs at an elite level in every phase, leaving it to Coach Curt Cignetti to keep the group grounded amid the praise — a task that, given his track record and the team’s mindset, should not be an issue.
