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What are the 10 best individual performances in CFP history?

The 2024 college football season made the record books as it was the first campaign to feature the expanded 12-team playoff format.

Ohio State took home the title, beating Notre Dame 34-23 in the championship game. True freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith was instrumental during the Buckeyes’ run, making game-changing plays and showing up in the clutch when they needed him most.

But he wasn’t the only star to make a name for himself in this year’s CFP.

Arizona State Running Back Tax House Cam helped the Sun Devils nearly pull off one of the biggest upsets in 11 years of CFP play, taking Texas to double overtime in a 39-31 shootout. This got us thinking: where do these individual performances fit in the history of the CFP? FOX Sports research broke down the top 10, analyzing all the incredible performances put in by multiple players since the first edition of the tournament in the 2014 season.

Let’s take a look:

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 took a pitch and threw the ball downfield for Malik McClain for a 42-yard touchdown. That fueled the Sun Devils’ comeback attempt, which included a Skattebo rushing touchdown in regulation and another in overtime.

Statistics: 7 receptions, 187 yards, two touchdowns

One year into his college career, Jeremiah Smith already appears to be a receiver for the ages. He set Big Ten records for receiving yards (1,315) and touchdown receptions (15) en route to helping the Buckeyes win the national championship. While his long reception late in the fourth quarter against Notre Dame sealed the title, Smith’s most memorable postseason performance came in the Rose Bowl.

He torched the top-seeded Ducks for 187 receiving yards with two touchdowns as Ohio State won in a landslide, 41-21. No wonder many have said the Buckeyes freshman could go first in the 2025 draft if he were eligible. Fortunately for Ohio State, Smith will stay in Columbus for at least two more seasons.

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 launching a 42-yard shot 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, as it ended one of the best wide receiver seasons in college football history.

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 49-28 to advance to the national title game.

6. 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 beat, but Burrow nearly matched that 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.

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.

He still holds the CFP records for first-half passing yards (403), touchdown passes (seven) and touchdowns responsible (eight). Justin Jefferson also set new CFP highs with 14 receptions, 227 receiving yards and four touchdowns in the 63-28 victory.

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 justin ross It 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.

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 He was benched in favor of Tagovailoa, who had played little 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 By Vonta Smith on a 41-yard touchdown pass to seal the title.

2. Deshaun Watson vs. Alabama (2017 National Championship Game)

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 six of his seven passes on the 68-yard drive, including the game-winner to Hunter Renfrow with one second remaining.

Statistics: 36 carries, 246 yards, four touchdowns

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

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