The best mid-season college football performances of 2024
2024 is a season of dramatic departure from the norm of years past in college football. So far, it has not disappointed. These are the standout performances at the midway point of the 2024 college football season.
Best running back
On pace to break Barry Sanders’ single-season record for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is averaging almost a first down on every carry. Jeanty has gained 1,248 yards through six games and 17 touchdowns, including three games over 200 yards rushing. He leads the nation in rushing yards and touchdowns and is the current favorite to win the Heisman Trophy.
Best quarterback
So far, as the savior of South Florida, Miami’s Cam Ward has quarterbacked the Hurricanes to a No. 6 national ranking. In addition, Ward leads an offense that is ranked No. 1 in the country. Ward has passed for over 2,200 yards, 20 touchdowns and only five interceptions. In addition, he has completed 69 percent of his passes while leading Miami to a 6-0 record.
Best receiver
San Jose State’s Nick Nash leads the nation in receptions (62) and receiving touchdowns (10). Nash has 800 yards receiving and his top game so far came against Kennesaw State: 17 receptions, 225 yards and 3 receiving scores. In addition, Nash has scored at least one receiving touchdown in every game this season, and includes three games with multiple receiving touchdowns.
Best defender
Edge rusher Trey White of San Diego State leads the nation in sacks with 11 and tackles for loss with 15 for the 3-3 Aztecs.
Best team defense
The eyes of Texas (and the nation) are upon coach Steve Sarkisian and his No. 1 ranked and undefeated (6-0) Longhorns. Texas is ranked No. 1 in total defense, No. 2 in passing defense, and No. 1 in scoring defense, allowing a paltry six points per game. Texas hosts the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday.
Best Iron Man performance
Travis Hunter, WR/DB at Colorado, has played over 600 snaps this season. His stat line:
- 49 catches, 587 yards and 6 TDs
- 2 INTs
- 17 tackles
- 3 pass breakups
- 1 forced fumble
Best coaching performance
The best at prowling the sidelines at the midway point of this season is Iowa State’s Matt Campbell. Campbell and the Cyclones have left a swath of scorched earth on gridirons on their way to a 6-0 record for the first time since 1938 and a No. 9 national ranking. They say defense wins championships. If that is true, that bodes well for the Cyclones. Iowa State is ranked among the Top 5 programs in the country in defending the pass, points allowed and picking off opposing quarterbacks’ throws.
With a mixture of blue-bloods and fresh faces ranked in the Top 25 and playing their way toward a 12-team playoff, it doesn’t get any better than that.
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