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We’re down to the final four of the College Football Playoff: Indiana, Oregon, Ole Miss and Miami (FL).
Using PFF’s advanced statistics, here’s our ranking of the four quarterbacks leading each of those teams.
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Mendoza isn’t just the best quarterback remaining in the College Football Playoff; he’s arguably been the best signal-caller in the sport this year. This year’s Heisman Trophy winner leads all FBS quarterbacks with 36 passing touchdowns and a 129.6 passer rating. Mendoza has been on fire recently, posting a 91.9 passing grade in the Big Ten Championship Game against Ohio State before a 92.9 passing grade in the quarterfinals against Alabama. Both of those figures represented new career-highs for him.
2. Dante Moore, Oregon
Moore is the highest-graded quarterback remaining in the playoff, placing third among all quarterbacks with a 91.4 PFF grade this season. His 91.6 passing grade is second to only Ohio State’s Julian Sayin as well. Like Mendoza, Moore has been on a heater recently. His 91.1 passing grade since Week 12 leads all quarterbacks in college football.
3. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
Chambliss was the hero of Ole Miss’ quarterfinal upset over Georgia, posting a season-high 91.8 PFF grade with five big-time throws in the victory. The former Division II quarterback has been exceptional when under duress this year, leading all quarterbacks in America with a 79.0 PFF grade when pressured. The Rebels will likely need some of his patented magic under pressure, as Miami is eighth nationally with a 40.4% pressure rate.
4. Carson Beck, Miami (FL)
While Beck is last on this list, he has still been a very effective game manager for Miami this year. He’s especially lethal from a clean pocket, placing sixth in completion rate (77.1%) in such situations this year. Beck has only been under pressure on 16.4% of his dropbacks as well, which is the lowest rate in the FBS.