The College Football Playoff (CFP) is reaching its climax. All eyes are on the quarterbacks who’ve dragged their teams to the semifinals.
This year’s final four—Indiana, Oregon, Ole Miss, and Miami (FL)—feature some of the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football. From Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza to the dependable Beck, these guys have shown real grit and skill all season long.
Let’s dig into how these four quarterbacks stack up, looking at their stats, big moments, and what makes each one a little different in this high-stakes race.
Fernando Mendoza: The Heisman Trophy Winner Leading Indiana
Fernando Mendoza has been electric this season. Winning the Heisman kind of says it all—he’s the top quarterback left in the Playoff, and that’s not just hype.
Mendoza leads all FBS quarterbacks with 36 passing touchdowns and a 129.6 passer rating. Those aren’t just good numbers—they’re the kind that get your name in the record books.
- 91.9 passing grade in the Big Ten Championship Game against Ohio State
- 92.9 passing grade in the quarterfinals against Alabama
He set new career-highs in both of those games. Mendoza just seems to get better when the pressure’s on.
Dante Moore: The High-Graded Contender from Oregon
Dante Moore’s been turning heads too. With a 91.6 passing grade, he’s second only to Ohio State’s Julian Sayin this year.
Since Week 12, Moore has put up a 91.1 passing grade—the best in college football over that stretch. He’s been on a roll, and honestly, it’s a huge reason Oregon’s still alive in the playoffs.
Chambliss: The Pressure Performer from Ole Miss
Chambliss isn’t getting as much attention, but maybe he should. Ole Miss pulled off a wild quarterfinal upset over Georgia, and Chambliss was right in the middle of it.
He posted a season-high 91.8 PFF grade and fired off five big-time throws in that win. Here’s what jumps out:
- Leads all quarterbacks nationally with a 79.0 PFF grade when pressured
Miami brings pressure—eighth in the country with a 40.4% pressure rate. Chambliss’s knack for handling chaos will be tested again in the semifinals.
Beck: The Efficient Game Manager from Miami (FL)
Beck might not have the flashiest stats, but he’s been rock solid for Miami this year. Efficiency is his thing, especially when the pocket’s clean.
He ranks sixth nationally in completion rate from a clean pocket (77.1%). Plus, he’s only been pressured on 16.4% of his dropbacks—that’s the lowest in the FBS.
That kind of protection lets Beck do his thing, and honestly, it’s a big reason Miami’s made it this far.
Conclusion
The College Football Playoff semifinals are shaping up to be a real showcase for quarterback talent. Mendoza’s been setting records left and right, while Moore keeps things steady and sharp.
Chambliss has that knack for pulling off big plays when it counts. Beck, on the other hand, just quietly manages the game like it’s no big deal.
Honestly, each of these guys brings their own flavor to the field. It’s tough to say who’s got the real edge, but you get the sense that whoever handles the pressure best could tip the scale for their team.
Want to dive deeper or just need the latest scoop? Check out the ranking of the four quarterbacks remaining in the College Football Playoff semifinals on PFF.
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