College football: 10 best and 10 worst teams of Week 11 – LSU, Minnesota, Clemson excel

Using advanced statistics to assign game grades for every college football game, we count down the 10 best and 10 worst team performances of Week 11.

Talk of the College Football Playoff has dominated the national conversation all season, and now that the committee has released its initial rankings, attention has only increased on finding the four teams who will battle it out for the national championship. And while the debate includes the strength of schedule and overall resume, the powers that be seemingly place a heavyweight on which teams have played best on the field.

CFB Winning Edge Team Performance ratings are designed to explore exactly that. By diving deeper than the traditional box score, we can see which teams dominated their opponents, and who was fortunate to escape with the victory. And, by assigning a game grade to every FBS team for every game it plays, we can compare the overall strength of all 130 teams’ on-field performances.

With that in mind, we offer the 10 best – and 10 worst – game grades of Week 11:

10 Best Team Performances of Week 11

10. Florida State Seminoles, 90.48

It’s always difficult to tell how a team will respond immediately after its head coach is fired. The Florida State Seminoles, playing for the first time since Willie Taggart’s dismissal, responded as well as anyone would have hoped by beating Boston College 38-31 on the road.

Quarterback James Blackman returned to the top of the depth chart and threw for a career-high 346 yards and two touchdowns without an interception while averaging 13.0 yards per pass attempt – nearly double his season average. Backup quarterback Jordan Travis added a new wrinkle with 94 rushing yards and two touchdowns – including a 66-yarder – in his first action of the season.

9. Cal Golden Bears, 90.53

Cal looked like a Top 20 team in August but had lost four straight games entering Saturday’s Pac-12 North showdown with Washington State. The Bears, who had yet to score more than 28 points in a game all year and were shut out 35-0 by Utah in their last game, broke out in a 33-20 victory.

Quarterback Devon Modster returned from injury and threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns without an interception while averaging 9.6 yards per pass attempt. And though the Cal defense surrendered 407 passing yards, the Bears held quarterback Anthony Gordon to 7.0 yards per attempt and also forced an interception.

The Cal offense, which had managed just one 400-yard output in previous weeks and still ranks last in the Pac-12 in total offense (308.6 yards per game) outgained the Cougars – who lead the conference in total offense with an average of 510.9 yards per contest – 426-423.

T-7. Ohio State Buckeyes, 90.75

Another week, another blowout for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Ohio State defended its new No. 1 spot in the College Football Playoff committee rankings with a 73-14 victory over Maryland. As a result, the Buckeyes held on to the No. 1 spot in the CFB Winning Edge Team Performance rankings.

Ohio State rolled up 705 yards of total offense, and despite playing without All-World defensive end Chase Young, the Buckeyes held Maryland to just 139 yards. Ryan Day’s squad outgained the Terrapins by an average of 4.66 yards per play, including an 8.5-4.5 edge in yards per pass, and 6.8-1.9-yard edge in yards per rushing attempt.

T-7. Florida Gators, 90.75

Florida bounced back in a big way from its loss to Georgia, and let out some frustrating while beating Vanderbilt 56-0 Saturday. The Gators held the Commodores to just 2.10 yards per play, which was the most dominant performance of the week in FBS.

Combined with Florida’s 8.12 yards per play on offense, which was fifth-best in the nation, the Gators outgained Vanderbilt by an average of 6.02 yards per play – which was the highest margin of net yards per play of the week by 1.46 yards over No. 2 Ohio State. Overall, Florida outgained the Commodores 560-128.

6. Georgia Bulldogs, 92.05

Few defenses have been as good as Georgia’s this season. The Bulldogs beat Missouri 27-0, giving Kirby Smart’s squad its third shutout of the season, and second in three games. Georgia held the Tigers (who were without starting quarterback Kelly Bryant because of injury) to 198 total yards and only 3.41 yards per play. The Tigers managed only 50 rushing yards and an average of 2.1 yards per attempt.

The Bulldogs now rank No. 6 in the country in yards allowed per play (4.32) overall, and No. 7 in yards allowed per rushing attempt (2.77). Georgia is also the only team in the country that has yet to allow a rushing touchdown. Everyone else has surrendered at least three.

The win came at a cost, however. Georgia saw receiver Lawrence Cager – the hero of the win over Florida and the team-leader with six receptions and 93 receiving yards before leaving – as well as three top offensive linemen leave the game due to injuries.

5. USC Trojans, 92.15

USC finally hired a new athletic director, which means the end of the Clay Helton era could be coming to its official end in a matter of weeks. However, Helton led the Trojans to a 31-26 victory over Arizona State on the road Saturday – an excellent bounce-back performance after an embarrassing 56-24 loss to Oregon a week ago. Now 6-4 overall and 5-2 in the Pac-12, USC is bowl eligible and still alive in the conference title race.

And if USC continues to play as well as it did against the Sun Devils, perhaps Helton could hold on to his post. The Trojans averaged 10.6 yards per pass attempt (third-best of the year for the team) while throwing for 477 yards (a season-high). True freshman quarterback Kedon Slovis threw for 432 yards and four touchdowns with just one interception, and two Trojans wideouts – Amon-Ra St. Brown and Michael Pittman – combined for 21 receptions and 319 receiving yards.

And though USC allowed 292 passing yards on defense, the Trojans stuffed the Arizona State running game for 47 yards on 21 carries – an impressive 2.2 yards per attempt – and also forced two interceptions.

4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 92.30

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book threw for four touchdowns as the Fighting Irish beat Duke 38-7 on the road Saturday night, but was even more impressive as a runner and led the team with 139 rushing yards on just 12 carries – an average of 11.6 yards per attempt. Overall, Notre Dame ran for 288 yards, its second-best output of the year, and averaged a season-best 6.9 yards per carry in the win.

The Irish shut down the Duke offense and surrendered just 197 total yards and 3.23 yards per play. Only six FBS teams surrendered fewer yards per snap in Week 11. The Blue Devils managed just 3.3 yards per pass attempt and 3.2 yards per rush as Notre Dame outgained Duke by an average of 3.11 yards per play. Unfortunately, the Fighting Irish lost arguably the best player on the unit, defensive end Julian Okwara, to a season-ending injury in the process.

3. LSU Tigers, 92.95

LSU finally beat Alabama and did so in extraordinary fashion on the road with the world watching. LSU earned high marks for scoring an upset away from the home and earned an impressive game grade in large part due to its offense.

The Tigers amassed 559 yards of total offense, most of it running through quarterback and heavy Heisman favorite Joe Burrow, who threw for 393 yards and three touchdowns without an interception on 31 of 39 passing. Burrow averaged 10.1 yards per attempt against one of the most talented defensive backfields in the country. He also added 64 rushing yards.

Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire had the game of his life as he ran for 103 yards and three touchdowns and added a team-high nine receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. Ja’Marr Chase led the team with 140 receiving yards, and he also scored a touchdown.

Still, the performance had its flaws. The Tigers allowed 541 yards of total offense and were actually outgained by an average of 0.88 yards per play. LSU also benefitted from a lucky fumble recovery on the opening drive of the game when Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa lost control of the ball in the red zone and allowed a touchdown on special teams when Jaylen Waddle scored on a 77-yard punt return in the first quarter.

Nevertheless, the Tigers never trailed and the outcome was never really in doubt. LSU proved to be the team to beat in the SEC West, and as a result, the SEC. Now the Tigers are in the driver’s seat headed toward the College Football Playoff.

2. Clemson Tigers, 93.08

The defending national champions continue to fly under the radar despite posting one of the best game grades of the week. Clemson entered its rivalry clash with NC State as a huge favorite and left little doubt of the outcome by racing to a 28-0 lead in the first quarter and opening up a 42-0 margin before halftime in an eventual 55-10 victory on the road.

Running back Travis Etienne needed just 14 carries to gain 112 yards (8.0 yards per carry), and he scored two touchdowns. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence posted a solid stat line as well, completing 20 of 27 pass attempts for 276 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, and adding 59 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.

The Tigers were solid defensively as well and surrendered just 290 total yards overall and an average of 4.83 yards per play. Clemson also forced four Wolfpack turnovers.

1. Minnesota Golden Gophers, 93.48

Minnesota was nearly a touchdown underdog at home against Penn State, but the Golden Gophers proved to be the best team on the field Saturday afternoon in a 31-26 victory. Quarterback Tanner Morgan continued his excellent play and completed 18 of 20 passes for 339 yards (an incredible 17.0 yards per attempt) and three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Morgan’s performance, coupled with the playmaking ability of receivers Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson, was altogether excellent, but even more impressive given the Nittany Lions came in as one of the top-rated defenses in the country.

The Gophers were far from perfect defensively but came up big when it mattered most. Minnesota forced three important turnovers – all interceptions of Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford – including a tone-setting pick by Antoine Winfield, Jr. (his first of two) on the first drive of the game, and a win-sealing interception by Jordan Howden in the end zone on the final drive of the afternoon.

10 Worst Team Performances of Week 10

10. South Alabama Jaguars, 71.45

South Alabama nearly won its second game of the season, and its first against an FBS opponent, but the Jags instead fell 30-28 to Texas State. The Jaguars were outgained 415-348 overall despite averaging 9.6 yards per pass and holding the Bobcats to 42 rushing yards and 1.2 yards per carry. South Alabama simply couldn’t keep the Texas State passing attack in check as the Bobcats threw for 373 yards and averaged 11.3 yards per pass.

9. Georgia Southern Eagles, 71.40

What a difference a week can make. Georgia Southern beat a ranked Appalachian State squad 24-21 on the road in Week 10 to take control of the Sun Belt East Division. But a 49-28 loss to Troy, where the Eagles surrendered 603 yards of offense, handed control back to the Mountaineers.

8. San Diego State Aztecs, 71.38

San Diego State was ranked No. 24 by the Associated Press in Week 11, and the Aztecs were 17-point favorites to beat Nevada at home. And despite holding the Wolf Pack to 29 rushing yards and 1.0 yards per carry, and outgaining Nevada 309-226 overall, San Diego State struggled to a 17-13 loss.

7. FIU Panthers, 71.28

The Shula Bowl was hardly a contest Saturday as FAU defeated FIU 37-7 in Boca Raton. The Panthers were held to just 192 passing yards and 5.1 yards per attempt and surrendered 318 yards through the air and 8.2 yards per pass. FAU also outgained FIU 261-112 on the ground and won the turnover battle 2-0.

6. UAB Blazers, 71.08

UAB was uncharacteristically poor on offense in a 37-2 loss to Southern Miss, which likely cost the Blazers the C-USA West Division title. Playing without starting quarterback Tyler Johnston III, and with star running back Spencer Brown limited to just two carries after missing the previous three games, the UAB managed a paltry 173 yards of total offense and averaged just 2.98 yards per play.

5. Old Dominion Monarchs, 70.60

Old Dominion led UTSA 23-10 entering the third quarter and appeared poised to beat its first Conference USA opponent of the season. Instead, the Monarchs surrendered touchdown drives of 11 and 14 plays and 85 and 74 yards, respectively, in the 24-23 loss. ODU was outgained 419-371 overall and had two costly turnovers, including a fumble on the final drive of the contest.

4. Massachusetts Minutemen, 69.88

Only three teams – Vanderbilt (6.02), Maryland (-4.66) and New Mexico State (-4.30) were outgained by a wider margin than UMass in Week 11. The Minutemen allowed 6.50 yards per play and managed just 2.60 yards per snap on offense in a 63-7 loss to Army.

3. USF Bulls, 69.78

Just when it seemed USF had found some momentum on offense, the Bulls were grounded to a stop in a 17-7 home loss to Temple Thursday. South Florida managed just 286 total yards, including only 61 rushing yards. The Bulls were limited to 5.9 yards per pass attempt and 1.6 yards per carry, and the poor offensive performance dragged down an otherwise solid defensive showing.

2. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, 69.60

The Coastal Carolina defense was no match for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Thursday night in a 48-7 loss. The Chanticleers were outgained 564-236 overall and allowed the Cajuns to convert on nine of 11 opportunities on third down. As a result, Louisiana held a 30-14 edge in first downs.

1. Ohio Bobcats, 69.48

It’s surprising to see Ohio here given the fact the Bobcats only lost 24-21 and outgained Miami-Ohio 374-278 overall, but a series of under-the-radar factors led to the lowest game grade of the week. First of all, Ohio lost at home, and as a seven-point favorite. The Bobcats also had a talent advantage in the game, including a huge edge at quarterback.

Nevertheless, Nathan Rourke managed just 133 passing yards and 4.9 yards per attempt, which was 3.4 yards per pass fewer than his counterpart Brett Gabbert. Inefficiency in the passing game played a part in Ohio being outgained by an average of 0.79 yards per snap. The Bobcats were also unlucky to lose two turnovers, while Miami hopped on its lone fumble to take a 2-0 edge in turnover margin.

Add it all up, and Ohio not only lost its hold on the MAC East, but the Bobcats narrowly edged a trio of programs that posted sub-70-point Team Performance ratings for the worst game grade of the week.

Top 10 Teams of 2019, average Team Performance

10. Utah Utes, 89.54
9. Baylor Bears, 89.82
8. Penn State Nittany Lions, 89.88
7. Oregon Ducks, 90.05
6. Georgia Bulldogs, 91.42
5. Oklahoma Sooners, 91.79
4. Clemson Tigers, 92.63
3. Alabama Crimson Tide, 92.79
2. LSU Tigers, 92.88
1. Ohio State Buckeyes, 94.22

Worst 10 Teams of 2019, average Team Performance

121. Texas State Bobcats, 73.18
122. Connecticut Huskies, 72.48
123. New Mexico Lobos, 71.89
124. South Alabama Jaguars, 71.16
125. Old Dominion Monarchs, 70.93
126. UTEP Miners, 70.55
127. Rice Owls, 70.44
128. New Mexico State Aggies, 68.68
129. Massachusetts Minutemen, 68.11
130. Akron Zips, 67.50

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