College Football Playoffs: 10 Best Individual Performances in CFP History

There are times in football when a singular individual performance can dictate the final result, with a player putting his team on his back and craving victory.

Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo almost did that against Texas in the Peach Bowl. Skattebo was responsible for 271 yards of offense (passing, running, receiving) last week, even throwing up on the sideline while rallying the Sun Devils before they lost in overtime.

Those feats made him an instant legend among college football fans, and Skattebo won offensive MVP despite the loss. It also marked the first spectacular exit in the 12-team format of the College Football Playoff. But does it make the list of all-time efforts in CFP games?

Here are the 10 best individual performances in College Football Playoff history (in chronological order).

Statistics: 36 carries, 246 yards, four touchdowns

Elliott was dominant in Ohio State’s upset victory over Alabama in the 2015 Sugar Bowl, rushing for 230 yards and scoring an 85-yard touchdown late to clinch the Buckeyes’ berth to the national title game.

Somehow, Elliott topped that outing against Oregon for the championship. After a strong first half (98 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown), Elliott upped his game in the second half. He rushed for 148 yards and three touchdowns in the final 30 minutes of the game, setting the record for most rushing yards in a half in the four-team CFP era. Those three rushing touchdowns were the final three scores of the game, turning Ohio State’s one-point lead late in the third quarter into a 42-20 victory.

Elliott’s four rushing touchdowns are also the most in a CFP national title game, cementing him as one of the best running backs in Ohio State history.

2. Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson against Alabama (2017 National Championship)

Statistics: 36 of 56, 420 yards, three touchdowns; 43 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown

Watson’s 405-yard performance against Alabama in the title game the previous season wasn’t enough to earn Clemson a victory. Therefore, he had to overcome himself to ensure that the Tigers won the title when the two teams met again a year later.

Facing an Alabama defense that started 10 future NFL players, Watson also had to work his magic right away. Clemson fell into a 14-0 hole, ultimately leading to Watson scoring 77 passing and rushing attempts among Clemson’s 99 offensive plays.

With the Tigers trailing 31-28 in the final minutes, Watson ran an offense for the ages. He completed seven of eight passes for 67 yards, including the game-winner to Hunter Renfrow with one second left.

3. Tua Tagovailoa vs. Georgia (2018 National Championship Game)

Statistics: 14 of 24, 166 yards, three touchdowns, one interception; 27 rushing yards

When trouble awaited Alabama in the 2018 title game, Nick Saban called on a freshman to save the day. The Crimson Tide surprisingly trailed 13-0 at halftime when Jalen Hurts was benched in favor of Tagovailoa, who had played sparingly in his first season in Tuscaloosa and was contemplating transferring. He almost immediately lived up to his promising billing, leading Alabama to a touchdown on their second drive. Tagovailoa led three more scoring drives to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. The Crimson Tide had a chance to win in regulation, but missed a 36-yard field goal at the buzzer.

After Georgia kicked a field goal to open overtime, Tagovailoa made a 16-yard sack on the first play of the ensuing possession. He made up for it seconds later, connecting with DeVonta Smith on a 41-yard touchdown pass to seal the title.

4. Clemson quarterback Trevor Lorenzo vs. Alabama (2019 National Championship Game)

Statistics: 20 of 32, 347 yards, three touchdowns; 27 rushing yards

The national championship stage certainly wasn’t too big for this rookie quarterback. Lawrence had his way against an Alabama defense that started eight future NFL Draft picks, leading five consecutive scoring drives at one point and throwing three touchdowns as Clemson put the game away in the third quarter. His 74-yard touchdown pass to Justyn Ross was the second-longest touchdown pass in a CFP game.

The Tigers’ 44-16 victory, against a previously undefeated Crimson Tide team, served as Nick Saban’s largest margin in a loss during his historic tenure at Alabama.

5. L.S.U. quarterback joe burrow against Oklahoma (Peach Bowl 2019)

Statistics: 29 of 39, 493 yards, seven touchdowns; 21 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown

Burrow put on an absolute passing clinic against Oklahoma in his first game after winning the Heisman. LSU reached the end zone on eight of its first nine possessions, with Burrow passing for a touchdown on seven of them and rushing for the other score. At halftime, Burrow had seven touchdown passes and six incomplete passes as the Tigers held a 49-14 lead.

His 403 first-half passing yards remain a CFP record, as do his seven touchdown passes and the eight touchdowns he was responsible for. Justin Jefferson also set new CFP highs with 14 receptions, 227 receiving yards and four touchdowns in the 63-28 victory.

6. LSU QB Joe Burrow vs. Clemson (2020 National Championship Game)

Statistics: 31 of 49, 463 yards, five touchdowns; 58 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown

An eight-touchdown performance in a semifinal is hard to top, but Burrow arguably did it in this national championship game.

In fact, Burrow had to help LSU come back from an early 10-point deficit against the defending national champions, leading three consecutive touchdown drives in the second quarter. His 29-yard run before halftime highlighted a 95-yard drive that gave the Tigers a 28-17 lead.

Burrow then sealed the victory with a pair of touchdown passes in the second half, capping the greatest passing season in college football history.

7. Ohio State Quarterback Justin Fields against Clemson (Sugar Bowl 2021)

Statistics: 22 of 28, 385 yards, six touchdowns, one interception; 42 rushing yards

Fields was briefly removed from this game after taking a penalty hit from Clemson linebacker James Skalski, who was ejected for targeting. (The Ohio State quarterback later said he injured his ribs on the play and consequently felt pain throughout the right side of his body.) Two plays later, Fields threw a touchdown pass to Chris Olave.

However, it wasn’t Fields’ most memorable moment. That’s when he connected with Olave in perfect stride for a 56-yard strike in the third quarter to give the Buckeyes a commanding lead. Ohio State won 49-21 to advance to the national title game, so far its only finals appearance in Ryan Day’s six seasons.

8. Alabama WR DeVonta Smith vs. Ohio State (2021 National Championship Game)

Statistics: 12 receptions, 215 yards, three touchdowns

The Heisman winner set title game records for receptions (12) and touchdowns (three), and he did it all in one half. His last grab came in the second quarter, but it was huge. Smith ran past an Ohio State defender while catching a 42-yard throw from Mac Jones to give Alabama a 35-17 lead before halftime.

The star receiver suffered a finger injury early in the second half that forced him out early. But the damage was done, ending one of the best wide receiver seasons in college football history.

Statistics: 29 of 38, 430 yards, two touchdowns; 31 rushing yards

Texas’ defensive front, which included future NFL players Byron Murphy and Ta’Vondre Sweat, put constant pressure on Penix in the 2024 Sugar Bowl.

However, Washington’s quarterback was undeterred. Despite facing 20 pressures (by professional football focus), Penix was not sacked once as he continually got into the pocket and picked apart the Longhorns. Washington held on to win 37-31 and advance to its first national title appearance in the BCS/CFP era.

10. Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo vs. Texas (Peach Bowl 2025)

Statistics: 30 carries, 143 yards, two rushing touchdowns; eight receptions, 99 yards; 42 yard passing touchdown

Skattebo had to be the superhero of Arizona State’s offense for it to have a chance against Texas. He did a little bit of everything in the process.

With ASU trailing 24-8 in the fourth quarter and facing a fourth-and-2 situation, Skattebo made a throw and threw the ball downfield to Malik McClain for a 42-yard touchdown.

On Arizona State’s next drive, Skattebo made a 62-yard reception on the opening play before scoring on a two-yard run moments later. He then ran in the two-point conversion that tied the game.

In overtime, Skattebo recorded his second rushing touchdown, outrunning Texas defenders along the way to give the Sun Devils a brief lead. Texas would win in double overtime, but Skattebo’s heroics won’t soon be forgotten.

Also considered: Ezekiel Elliott (2015 Sugar Bowl vs. Alabama), Oregon QB Marcus Mariota (2015 Rose Bowl vs. FSU), Deshaun Watson (2016 CFP Final vs. Alabama), Georgia RB Sony Michel (2018 Rose Bowl vs. Oklahoma), Georgia QB Stetson Bennett (2023 CFP final vs. TCU)

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