Naughty or nice: a look at the four CFP teams with a bye originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Earning a bye in the College Football Playoff means a team had a great season. But even the best teams have strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a Naughty or Nice breakdown of the four teams that skipped the first round and moved straight into the quarterfinals.
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Indiana
Nice: Protecting the Football
Indiana is the No. 1 team in the country and the only undefeated team left, and one big reason why is ball security. The Hoosiers rarely turn the ball over. Their turnover rate is just 5.5%, which is the best among playoff teams and sixth best in the nation.
They also rank near the top in a stat called Whoopsy Daisy Rate, which tracks how often a play ends with a fumble or interception, even if it isn’t lost. Indiana’s 1.50% rate ranks third nationally.
Because Indiana doesn’t give the ball away, it scores often. The Hoosiers rank third in points per drive (3.57) and third in scoring on possessions (57.2%), both the best marks among the remaining playoff teams.
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Naughty: Pass Protection
Indiana’s offensive line has been solid, but it hasn’t been great at keeping the quarterback clean. The Hoosiers allow pressure on 28.8% of passing plays, which is near the bottom of the playoff field. They also allow pressure faster than any other team left.
The good news? Quarterback Fernando Mendoza handles pressure well. The Heisman winner has a 150.5 passer rating when pressured, ranking sixth nationally. He isn’t afraid to stand in the pocket and make tough throws.
Ohio State
Nice: Red Zone Defense
Ohio State’s defense is strong everywhere, but it is especially great in the red zone. The Buckeyes allow just 3.00 points per red zone trip, which is the best in the country and the best any defense has posted since Georgia’s 2021 title team.
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This isn’t new. Ohio State also led the nation in red zone defense last season. When teams get close to the end zone, the Buckeyes usually force field goals or get stops.
Naughty: Small Mistakes
One concern for Ohio State is mistakes in key moments. The Buckeyes rank 106th nationally in Margin EPA, a stat that includes penalties and special teams play.
Defensive penalties and special teams have cost Ohio State yards and points this season. Against top teams in the playoff, those mistakes can make a big difference.
Georgia
Nice: Scoring in the Red Zone
Georgia’s offense isn’t flashy, but it finishes drives. When the Bulldogs reach the red zone, they score touchdowns 79.2% of the time, which ranks second in the country.
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They also average 5.09 points per red zone possession, the best mark among playoff teams. Georgia may not get there often, but when it does, it usually scores seven.
Naughty: Lack of Pass Rush
For a team known for great defenses, Georgia hasn’t pressured quarterbacks very well this season. The Bulldogs rank near the bottom nationally in pressure rate and sack rate.
Georgia often has to blitz to create pressure, which can leave holes in coverage. That could be a problem against strong playoff quarterbacks.
Texas Tech
Nice: Strong Pass Rush
Texas Tech’s defense is built around getting after the quarterback. David Bailey leads the way with 13.5 sacks, one of the best totals in the country.
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As a team, the Red Raiders rank near the top in total pressures and force quarterbacks to throw quickly. Against this defense, there is very little time to make decisions.
Naughty: Third-Down Problems
Texas Tech struggles to stay on schedule on offense. The Red Raiders often face long third downs, averaging 7.1 yards to go, the worst among playoff teams.
They also rank last in the playoff field in short third-down situations, making it harder to keep drives alive.
Final Thoughts
All four teams earned their playoff bye for a reason. But as the competition gets tougher, even small weaknesses can decide games. The teams that fix their “naughty” habits may be the ones still standing at the end.
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