The 2024 college football season was one for the record books, being the first campaign to feature an expanded 12-team playoff format.
Ohio State took home the title, defeating Notre Dame 34-23 in the championship game. True freshman Jeremiah Smith contributed throughout the Buckeyes’ lineup, making game-changing plays and stepping up when he was needed most.
But he wasn’t the only star to make a name for himself at this year’s CFP.
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo he helped the Sun Devils nearly pull off one of the biggest upsets in 11 years of CFP playoffs, forcing Texas into double overtime in a 39-31 shootout. This made us think, where do these songs stand in the history of CFP? FOX Sports Research has broken down the top 10, looking at all of the incredible performances by multiple players since the tournament’s first edition in the 2014 season.
Let’s take a look:
Statistics: 30 carries, 143 yards, two rushing touchdowns; eight receptions, 99 yards; A 42-yard touchdown pass
Skattebo had to be the hero of Arizona State’s offense to have a chance against Texas. You do a little of everything that is done.
With ASU trailing 24-8 in the fourth quarter and facing a fourth-and-2 situation, Skattebo took the field and threw the ball downfield. Malik McClain for a 42-yard touchdown. That jump started a comeback effort for the Sun Devils, which included a rushing Skattebo touchdown in regulation and another in overtime.
Statistics: 7 receptions, 187 yards, two touchdowns
One year into his college career, and Jeremiah Smith is already looking like 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 set the mark, Smith’s most memorable performance of the postseason came in the Rose Bowl.
He torched the top-seeded Ducks for 187 yards and two scores as Ohio State won in blowout fashion, 41-21. It’s no surprise that many say the Buckeyes rookie could go first on the 2025 roster if he’s eligible. Fortunately for Ohio State, Smith will be stuck 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 receiving touchdowns (three) — and he did it all in one half. His last goal came in the second quarter, but it was a big one. Smith ran past an Ohio State defender while hauling in a 42-yard touchdown strike Mac Jones giving Alabama a 35-17 lead at halftime.
The star suffered a finger injury early in the second half which forced him to leave early. But the damage was already done, as he put a bow on one of the best receiving seasons in college football history.
Statistics: 22 of 28, 385 yards, six touchdowns, one interception; 42 meters running
Fields was ejected for the game after being hit by Clemson linebacker James Skalski, who was ejected for targeting. (The Ohio State QB later said he injured his ribs in the game and felt pain on the right side of his body as a result.) Two plays later, Fields threw a touchdown pass. Chris Olave.
However, it wasn’t Fields’ most memorable highlight. That’s when he connected with Olave for a 56-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to give the Buckeyes the 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 win is hard to beat, but Burrow nearly matched that in the national championship game.
Burrow was actually supposed to help LSU rally from a 10-point deficit against the national defense, leading three straight touchdown drives in the second quarter. His 29-yarder before halftime capped a 95-yard drive that gave the Tigers a 28-17 lead.
Burrow then sealed the win with two TD 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 had a perfect 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 seven of them and rushing for another score. At halftime, Burrow had seven TD passes and six incompletions, as the Tigers held a 49-14 lead.
He still holds the CFP records for first-half passing yards (403), touchdown passes (seven) and receiving touchdowns (eight). Justin Jefferson also set new CFP highs with 14 receptions, 227 receiving yards and four touchdowns in a 63-28 win.
Statistics: 20 of 32, 347 yards, three touchdowns; 27 meters running
The national championship stage was not too big for this new runner. Lawrence had his way against an Alabama defense that started with the eighth overall pick of the NFL Draft, leading five straight field goals at one point and throwing three touchdowns as Clemson put the game away in the third quarter. His 74-yard touchdown pass to him 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 biggest loss during his historic tenure at Alabama.
Statistics: 14 of 24, 166 yards, three touchdowns, one interception; 27 meters running
When trouble beckoned for Alabama in the 2018 title game, Nick Saban called in a freshman to save the day. The Crimson Tide shockingly trailed 13-0 at halftime Jalen Hurts He was benched in favor of Tagovailoa, who had played evenly in his first season in Tuscaloosa and was considering a switch. He almost immediately lived up to his promise, leading Alabama to a touchdown on his second drive. Tagovailoa led three more field goals 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 scored to open overtime, Tagovailoa took a 16-yard sack on the ensuing first play. He fixed it seconds later, and connected with it DeVonta 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 last season wasn’t enough for Clemson to win. Therefore, he had to pull himself together to ensure that he won the title for the Tigers when the two teams met again a year later.
Facing an Alabama defense that started 10 future NFL players, Watson had to work his magic right away. Clemson fell into a 14-0 hole, which led to Watson compiling 77 passing and rushing attempts among Clemson’s 99 offensive snaps.
With the Tigers trailing 31-28 in the final minutes, Watson made a drive for the ages. He completed six of seven passes on a 68-yard drive, including the game-winning score to Hunter Renfrow with one second left.
Statistics: 36 yards, 246 yards, four touchdowns
Elliott was key in the upset victory over Ohio State Alabama in the 2015 Sugar Bowl, rushing for 230 yards and scoring a late 85-yard touchdown to punch the Buckeyes’ ticket to the national title game.
Somehow, Elliott moved on from that outing against Oregon in the championship. After a solid first half (98 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown), Elliott turned his game around a notch 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 over a four-team CFP season. Those three rushing touchdowns were the game’s final three points, turning Ohio State’s lead into a one-point lead late in the third quarter at 42-20.
Elliott’s four rushing touchdowns are also the most in a CFP national title game, cementing him as one of the best rushers in Ohio State history.
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