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Three-Point Stance: Top offenses, perfect QB and RB, Big 12

Rivals National Columnist Mike Farrell is here with the five best offenses in college football, the perfect college quarterback and running back, and a five-year projection of certain Big 12 teams.


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1. THE TOP FIVE OFFENSES IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

C.J. Stroud
C.J. Stroud (USA Today Sports Images)

On Tuesday I listed the best defenses in college football but we all know you can’t win a national title these days without a great offense. While Georgia is trying to disprove this, a few of these teams will have a shot because of how loaded they are offensively.

1. Ohio State - Like it has been every season under Ryan Day, the Buckeyes' offense is ruthlessly efficient and near the top of the country in every metric. They average nearly eight yards per play, good for second in the country, and have the second-highest scoring average at 44.9 points per game. They are top 10 in total offense (second), third-down conversion percentage (third), red zone offense (fourth), passing efficiency (fifth), passing offense (sixth), and yards-per-carry (sixth). They can beat you a million ways. Those numbers are insane.

2. Wake Forest - Dave Clawson's bunch is led by a killer passing attack that has statistically the top receiver duo in the country in Jaquarii Roberson and A.T. Perry. As a team, the Demon Deacons are third in points per game with 44.7, and sixth in total offense, racking up nearly 509 yards per contest. They're top 10 as well in red zone offense and third-down conversion percentage and don't turn the ball over very much either. They put up points in bunches, and because of it, still lead the ACC Atlantic.

3. Pittsburgh - Kenny Pickett has been one of the biggest surprises in college football this season, and his growth at quarterback has led the Panthers to become one of the scariest offenses in the country. They lead the nation in points per game with 45, and are third in total offense at more than 540 yards per game. Pickett has shined through the season, averaging 352.3 passing yards per game, and the team as a whole is fourth in the nation in passing offense. They've accrued more first downs than anyone else in the country, and despite being explosive, have done a great job controlling the clock.

4. Alabama - Even with a ton of new faces in their offensive unit this season, the Crimson Tide are still racking up numbers. Owners of a top 10 ranking in scoring offense, passing efficiency, red zone offense, and third down conversion percentage, they've been the best team in the SEC in terms of moving the ball. The addition of Jameson Williams and the growth of Bryce Young have helped Alabama turn into one of the top units in the country.

5. Oklahoma - Despite some lackluster performances, the Sooners still have one of the best attacks in the country, especially since Caleb Williams has stepped in at quarterback. The fifth-highest scoring team in the country at 42.9 points per game, the Sooners can put points up in bunches and in a hurry. They're top 10 in third-down conversion percentage, red zone offense, yards per carry and passing efficiency, as well as 11th in total offense even with a couple of clunkers thrown in there.

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2. FRANKENSTEIN QUARTERBACKS AND RUNNING BACKS

Malik Willis
Malik Willis (USA Today Sports Images)

Let’s Frankenstein together the perfect player at each position and start with quarterback and running back.

QUARTERBACK

Decision Making - Kenny Pickett, Pitt. Pickett has grown into one of the best players at the position, and it's in large part due to his decision-making. He's not turning the ball over at all, throwing 29 touchdowns to only three interceptions, and he rarely makes an errant or even risky throw.

Arm Strength - Matt Corral, Ole Miss. Some have more talented arms overall but when Corral wants to zip it and fit it in tight spots he throws a laser beam even on the run.

Accuracy - Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina. The nation's leader in passing efficiency, McCall has fantastic accuracy on his throws, completing 73.4 percent of them.

Legs - Malik Willis, Liberty. Willis leads all QBs in the country in PFF's rushing grade, and when you watch the tape you can see why. He's got the desirable combination of speed and elusiveness, and always seems to make the first defender miss.

Leadership - Sam Howell, North Carolina. Even though his team has lost some unexpected games this season, Howell is a guy who clearly has the respect of everyone around him. He sacrifices his body in every game, and never gets down on himself or his teammates.

RUNNING BACK

Vision - Kenneth Walker, Michigan State. One of the biggest stories of the season, Walker has done a phenomenal job integrating into the Michigan State attack in large part due to his vision and patience. He sees holes seemingly before they even occur and is able to blast through them, routinely picking up huge gains.

Elusiveness - Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State. The diminutive playmaker from Kansas State, Vaughn has some of the best moves in the open field of anyone in the country at any position. He routinely makes two or three guys miss.

Explosiveness - TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State. The lone true freshman here, Henderson has displayed uncanny speed and explosiveness. When he finds a seam and puts it into second gear, he is gone. There is no one in the country that can catch him.

Receiving - Jo'quavious Marks, Mississippi State. The Mississippi State running back is a perfect fit in Mike Leach's Air Raid, as he has some of the best hands in the country, regardless of position. He leads all running backs in catches, and is third in receiving yards among all running backs.

Size - Zamir White, Georgia. The former five-star recruit has ideal size for a running back in today's game. At 6-foot and 215 pounds, he's big enough to take a beating but not so big that he's slowed down by his size.

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3. INTERESTING FUTURE BIG 12 MATCH-UPS

Luke Fickell
Luke Fickell (USA Today Sports Images)

Finally here’s an odd set of five-year projections for Big 12 teams.

Texas vs. Oklahoma — They will both be entering the SEC in 2026 with the Sooners leaving as the dominant team in the Big 12 and the Longhorns still playing second fiddle.

TCU vs. Oklahoma State — The powers of the Big 12? I believe they will be with the Cowboys taking over as the dominant program and TCU right behind them.

Cincinnati vs. UCF — Two of the newer programs joining the Big 12 will each have levels of success, but this is the move that makes UCF a higher level option in the state of Florida. That gives the Knights the edge.

West Virginia vs. Baylor — While the Mountaineers are a fish out of water geographically, they will welcome the expansion into Florida and Ohio where they do some of their best recruiting. That will give them an edge here.

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