From SI · · 1m 30s
CFP Backup QB Rule Flipped
Wake Forest and Boise State prove backup QBs can win with stellar play.
In brief
Wake Forest and Boise State prove backup QBs can win with stellar play. College Football Playoff committee should reward teams with strong backup quarterbacks after Wake Forest and Boise State both outperformed with second-string QBs in Week 10. Originally reported by SI.
CFP backup QB rule
The College Football Playoff committee has historically ignored backup quarterbacks since 2023 when Florida State was snubbed without Jordan Travis.
“The College Football Playoff committee can deny it, but they’re just not that into backup quarterbacks.”
Ohio State ranking
Committee ranked Ohio State 12th after Luke Fahey’s first start with Julian Sayin sidelined.
“They didn’t look like the same Ohio State team this past weekend”
Wake Forest backup QB
Steele Pizzella, who attempted just one pass in his career, led Wake Forest to a 77, 0 win over Merrimack.
“Jake Dickert’s squad, thanks to 432 yards and four total touchdowns by Pizzella, made the 46.5-point line look small in a 77, 0 evisceration of the Warriors”
Boise State backup QB
Max Cutforth led Boise State to a 64, 38 win over Colorado State with five touchdowns.
“Cutforth accounted for five total touchdowns and Boise State scored its most points in a road game in 74 years”
Week 10 performance
Both teams outperformed with backup quarterbacks in Week 10 after starters were injured.
“Two teams, and two backup quarterbacks, flipped the committee’s backup QB logic upside down with stellar play in Week 10”
Stellar play
Wake Forest obliterated opponents by 187, 31 in October with Pizzella at QB.
“It sure looked like the same Wake Forest team, which obliterated opponents by a combined margin of 187, 31 in October, with Pizzella at QB”
Boise State defense
Boise State’s defense surrendered 513 yards and 38 points to the Rams.
“The Broncos defense surrendered 513 yards and 38 points to the Rams”
Stellar performance
Boise State scored its most points in a road game in 74 years with Max Cutforth.
“Boise State didn’t just look the same, it scored the most points in a game this season as the offense hummed without Madsen”
Injury impact
Both teams have starters expected to return next week after injuries.
“Never mind that both Wake Forest’s Lopez and Boise State’s Madsen are expected to return to action next week”
CFP evaluation
The committee should reward teams with strong backup quarterbacks in its rankings.
“So if the committee truly wants to factor in backup QB play into its evaluations of teams, the Demon Deacons and Broncos should be rewarded come Tuesday night”
The headline
College Football Playoff committee should reward teams with strong backup quarterbacks after Wake Forest and Boise State both outperformed with second-string QBs in Week 10.
