Grading the Top 25 College Football Offenses Heading into Week 6

After a Week 5 that celebrated offense and left us pining for a little dose of the “D”, it seems prudent to evaluate the top point-scoring teams in the land.

Yes, we know there are lots of teams participating in the 2012 edition of score-a-palooza but how are they getting it done and what are each specific unit’s strengths and weaknesses?

The following slideshow takes the top 25 scoring offenses (they are ranked for your pleasure) in the nation and issues each a report card that includes grades in seven key subjects.

The categories include rushing and passing yards per game, yardage balance between the two attacks, turnovers, sacks allowed, third-down conversions and red zone performance.

The grades are based on each squad’s national ranking in each category and the GPA is a cumulative score based on all of the subjects, including each candidate receiving an additional “A” for being a top 25 scoring unit.

This comprehensive offensive evaluation tour de force will no doubt put both parents and students on red alert because, yes friends, it's report card day in college football.

As a note, teams that had outstanding library fines and/or negative lunch account balances at the time of this report are included in this listing as a service to the public. In no way does their inclusion infer release from these unresolved matters or support of such conduct.

25. Akron

Rushing:  D-

Passing:  A+

Balance:  D-

Turnovers:  F-

Sacks Allowed:  B

Third-down Conversions:  D+

Red Zone: C

Offensive GPA: 2.0625

The Akron Zips tout the No. 25 ranked scoring offense in the FBS, and what is made crystal clear from their report card is the fact that they made the list by virtue of their passing attack.

The Zips are ranked No. 5 nationally in passing yards, a high-water mark that is diluted by a No. 91 rank in rushing yards, a No. 106 ranking in turnovers and a No. 77 slot in third-down conversions.

Serving as living proof that man does not win college football games on offense alone, Akron’s top-rated passing attack is hampered by a defense that ranks No. 117 in scoring.

The end result is a 1-4 record thus far with the only win being over FCS Morgan State in Week 3.

24. LSU

Rushing:  A-

Passing:  D-

Balance:  A

Turnovers:  C+

Sacks Allowed:  D-

Third-down Conversions:  B-

Red Zone: D

Offensive GPA: 2.5

The 5-0 Tigers rank No. 24 in the nation in scoring offense and they’re reaching the end zone with the No. 18-ranked rushing attack vs. the No. 95 passing game.

LSU’s high mark in balance comes not from the disparity in the national rankings, but instead because they average 229.6 yards per game rushing vs. 203.2 passing, meaning they have one of the most balanced offenses in the game.

The Tigers’ offensive opportunities for improvement include a No. 89 national ranking in sacks allowed (11 total) and then dismal red zone numbers that include a No. 92 rating in scoring inside the 20 coupled with a No. 79 mark in red zone TDs.

The good news is LSU owns the No. 9-ranked scoring defense in the land, a high honor that should be quantified by pointing out that the Tigers haven’t played a single ranked opponent this season and they’ve only played one FBS team that currently has a winning record (Washington).

23. Georgia Tech

Rushing:  A+

Passing:  F-

Balance:  C-

Turnovers:  D+

Sacks Allowed:  C-

Third-down Conversions:  B

Red Zone: B

Offensive GPA: 2.375

Though this specific grading system is somewhat unfairly set up for a team that runs the option, the Yellow Jackets offense has issues on their report card that transcend a run-dominated attack.

Yes, this is the No. 23-ranked scoring “O” in the land, but it’s also the unit that ranks No. 76 in turnovers (two picks and seven fumbles) and No. 72 in sacks allowed (nine).

Combine this with a defense that has allowed just shy of 27 points per game (No. 69 in the nation) and has given up 91 points in the last two contests, and the 2-3 record begins to make sense.

22. Tennessee

Rushing:  B-

Passing:  A

Balance:  C

Turnovers:  D-

Sacks Allowed:  A+

Third-down Conversions:  C+

Red Zone: C

Offensive GPA: 2.8125

The 3-2 Vols bring home their report card hoping Mom and Dad will rejoice in the yardage gaining and sacks allowed marks and then completely overlook the grade in turnovers.

Tennessee ranks No. 5 nationally in sack stoppage and has allowed only two total through five games.

Somewhat less impressive is a turnover ranking of No. 97 nationally, which is made up of seven costly picks and four lost fumbles.

The Volunteers’ grades need to be viewed with a perspective that keeps in mind that Tennessee has played one of the toughest opening set of games on our list.

The Vols have face two ranked opponents thus far (Florida and Georgia), they’ve played three foes that still tout winning records and combined, their challengers hold a 13-6 record thus far.

21. Alabama

Rushing:  B-

Passing:  D+

Balance:  A

Turnovers:  A

Sacks Allowed:  D

Third-down Conversions:  A-

Red Zone: A

Offensive GPA: 3.125

The undefeated defending champion Crimson Tide just so happens to be tied with Clemson for the No. 20-ranked scoring offense in college football.

The Tide have averaged 40.2 points per game through their five victories, and though they don’t tear it up in either passing or rushing yards as individual categories, they field one of the most balanced attacks in the land.

Alabama averages 188.2 rushing yards per game vs. 212.8 via passing, meaning that they could get you either way.

As far as areas for improvement for the Tide, the only blaring deficiency is in sacks allowed, where Alabama ranks a relatively dismal No. 89—a number fueled by 11 sacks.

This is a solid offense and when you add the No. 1-ranked scoring defense into the mix (they’ve allowed an average of only seven points per game), you begin to understand how difficult it might be to knock these guys off their throne.

20. Clemson

Rushing:  B+

Passing:  A-

Balance:  B

Turnovers:  A-

Sacks Allowed:  B-

Third-down Conversions:  A

Red Zone: A

Offensive GPA: 3.625

Tied with the Tide at No. 20 in scoring “O” is Clemson, who has hit the top charts minus the services of super yard-getter Sammy Watkins.

Watkins has only participated in two games this season and contributed a paltry 280 yards of total offense (a number that includes 52 yards of passing), a stat that ought to skyrocket when he hits the field in earnest.

Watkin’s absence thus far only serves to make Clemson’s offensive report card all the more impressive.

High marks include a balanced attack, a No. 25 national ranking in turnovers (only five on the season), a No. 17 ranking in third-down conversions (50.62 percent), a No. 5 ranking in red zone scoring (95.65 percent) and then a No. 22 mark in red zone TDs (73.91 percent).

Clemson’s cumulative GPA earns them the No. 5 highest overall grade on our list.

19. Kansas State

Rushing:  A

Passing:  F

Balance:  C+

Turnovers:  A

Sacks Allowed:  A+

Third-down Conversions:  A

Red Zone: B

Offensive GPA: 3.375

Despite an offensive attack supercharged by a rushing assault that ranks No. 15 in the nation and a passing game that finishes at No. 106, the Wildcats’ GPA is the eighth-best on our list.

K-State’s final score is boosted by an O-Line that’s only allowed two sacks thus far in 2012 (No. 5) and a total package that has only turned the ball over three times (No. 9).

With a defensive unit that ranks No. 15 in scoring and a win over then-No. 6 under their belts, it will be fascinating to see what the Wildcats can do vs. the likes of West Virginia, Texas, TCU and the rest of the Big 12 field.

18. Marshall

Rushing:  C-

Passing:  A+

Balance:  D-

Turnovers:  D+

Sacks Allowed:  D+

Third-down Conversions:  A

Red Zone: A+

Offensive GPA: 2.625

Marshall is the No. 18 ranking scoring offense in the FBS through five weeks, but this is a high honor that is somewhat downgraded by the No. 21 GPA among the teams that grace our list.

The Thundering Herd’s attack in 2012 has been pass-centric in a big way (ranked No. 2 in passing yards vs. No. 67 in rushing), and has done excellently on both third downs and in the red zone.

Marshall ranks No. 11 nationally in third-down conversions (54.02) and has scored points on a whopping 92.59 percent of their red zone visits (No. 13), with 81.48 percent of these scores being for a TD (No. 7).

On the other side of the coin are nine turnovers thus far in 2012 (No. 76), 10 sacks allowed (No. 82) and a 233-yard difference between rushing yards per game and passing gains.

But what might hurt the Herd the most is a defense that has skidded to a No. 124 ranking through five weeks, allowing a devastating 44.4 points per game.

16. Fresno State

Rushing:  C+

Passing:  A

Balance:  C

Turnovers:  C+

Sacks Allowed:  B-

Third-down Conversions:  D-

Red Zone: B-

Offensive GPA: 2.625

Tied with ULM at the No. 16 mark in scoring offense, Fresno State has averaged a whopping 41.8 points per game through five weeks of play.

Though the Bulldogs have lit up the scoreboard in 2012, overall, their offensive report card is rather average.

The singular high-water mark is a passing attack that has averaged 335.2 yards per game (No. 11 nationally), and the low point comes via a third-down conversion ranking of No. 96 (only 33.8 percent).

Fresno State’s losses thus far include an understandable defeat at the hands of top-ranked Oregon and a narrow one-point heartbreaker to Tulsa, a team that is now 4-1.

16. Louisiana-Monroe

Rushing:  B

Passing:  A

Balance:  C

Turnovers:  B

Sacks Allowed:  C

Third-down Conversions:  A-

Red Zone: C

Offensive GPA: 3.0625

The Sun Belt team that racked up 34 points in their upset win over Arkansas and then hung up 28 and 42 points respectively in narrow losses to Auburn and Baylor is ranked No. 16 nationally in scoring offense.

ULM ‘s “run with the big dogs” campaign is built squarely on an offense that ranks No. 36 in rushing yards and No. 17 in passing yards.

Notable grades on the Warhawks report sent home to the folks in northeast Louisiana is a No. 21 national ranking in third-down conversions (49.3 percent) and a Jekyll-and-Hyde type performance in the red zone.

Yes, ULM ranks a mere No. 80 nationally in scoring within the 20-yard line (77.78 percent), but when they do manage some points, they score TDs, not field goals—a fact backed up by a No. 14 ranking (77.78 percent) in red zone TDs.

The truth is, ULM has played a better set of opponents through four weeks than most of the BCS schools in college football, a point that makes their presence on this list and their GPA both extraordinary feats.

15. Tulsa

Rushing:  A

Passing:  C

Balance:  A+

Turnovers:  D

Sacks Allowed:  A

Third-down Conversions:  C

Red Zone: C+

Offensive GPA: 2.9375

The revealing bit about Tulsa’s offensive report card is not the fact that they score an average of 42 points per game, but instead that they do it mainly via running the ball vs. passing.

The Golden Hurricanes rushing attack has earned a stellar No. 12 national ranking thus far in 2012 vs. a passing attack that rates No. 62, and the result is an ultra-balanced attack and a 4-1 overall record.

Though Tulsa has coughed up three fumbles through five games and thrown seven picks (the 10 turnovers earn them a dubious No. 89 ranking), they have only given up three total sacks (No. 12).

14. Nevada

Rushing:  A+

Passing:  B-

Balance:  A-

Turnovers:  B

Sacks Allowed:  A

Third-down Conversions:  A

Red Zone: B+

Offensive GPA: 3.6875

Hidden beneath the weighty layers of playing in the non-BCS Mountain West is the offensive unit that takes home the fourth-best report card on our list.

Nevada’s No. 4-ranked rushing attack (averaging over 300 yards per game) is bulwarked by a solid passing game (No. 50), a line that has only given up three sacks this season (No. 12) and a third-down conversion rate of 51.39 percent (No. 16).

If the Wolf Pack’s No. 72-ranked scoring defense can hang in there, look for Nevada to cash in on their 4-1 record thus far for a gritty potential conference title and a solid bowl bid.

13. Purdue

Rushing:  B

Passing:  B-

Balance:  B+

Turnovers:  D

Sacks Allowed:  C

Third-down Conversions:  A+

Red Zone: B+

Offensive GPA: 2.9375

Though Purdue has scored 42.5 points per game thus far in 2012, their offensive report card really is fairly average through the four games they’ve played.

The obvious area for improvement is a No. 89 ranking in turnovers, which includes six picks and four fumbles and is more alarming given they’ve only played four games in the five-week period we’re working with.

The subject that Purdue has aced thus far is third-down conversions, an area where the Boilermakers hold the No. 3 spot in the land by virtue of a sizzling 58.46 success rate.

Purdue’s offensive report card and their 3-1 mark on the season really needs to be viewed in light of who they’ve played.

Sure, the Boilermakers pushed now-No. 9 Notre Dame to a narrow 20-17 decision in Week 2, but other than that, they’ve beaten FCS Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan and Marshall.

It may be safe to say that the jury’s still out on both Purdue’s offense and their entire squad.

12. UNC

Rushing:  C+

Passing:  A-

Balance:  C+

Turnovers:  C

Sacks Allowed:  A

Third-down Conversions:  B+

Red Zone: C-

Offensive GPA: 2.8125

Flying under the radar a bit at 3-2 with losses to Wake Forest and Louisville, the Tar Heels have managed to score 43.2 points per game thus far this season, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that they hung up 60-plus on both FCS Elon and Idaho.

Overall, North Carolina’s offensive report card isn’t overly good or bad, though you’ve got to respect a passing attack that ranks No. 23 as well as a sack number that ranks No. 12 (only three allowed in 2012).

Carolina’s 2.8125 GPA puts them at No. 18 in cumulative report card success among the 25 teams that grace our illustrious list.

11. Texas Tech

Rushing:  B-

Passing:  A+

Balance:  C-

Turnovers:  B+

Sacks Allowed:  B+

Third-down Conversions:  A+

Red Zone: B

Offensive GPA: 3.25

Even the third year of the Tommy Tuberville era at Texas Tech hasn’t yet eliminated the Red Raiders from the top-tier group of offensive teams in the nation, and at 43.8 points per game, Tech’s end zone visits are, once again, super frequent. 

Chancellor Hance will no doubt be pleased with a report card that is stellar, with the exception of average passing yards of game vs. rushing production, which leaves the Red Raiders out of balance by over 170 yards per game.

Overall, this is a good report, but Tech is one of the teams that must have their grades viewed through the not-so-rose-colored glasses of a not-so-difficult schedule.

Sure, the Red Raiders are about to square off consecutively against the likes of Oklahoma, West Virginia, TCU, K-State and Texas, but the first five weeks were, well, easier.

Tech’s 4-0 record and gleaming offensive (and defensive stats) have come via wins over FCS Northwestern State, Texas State, New Mexico and then last weekend vs. a good Iowa State team.

Yes, the Red Raiders look primed to fire on all cylinders, but let’s wait a few weeks before we give them a tiara and a sash.

10. Nebraska

Rushing:  A+

Passing:  D+

Balance:  B

Turnovers:  D-

Sacks Allowed:  C

Third-down Conversions:  A

Red Zone: C+

Offensive GPA: 2.6875

The Huskers are one of the few and proud run-centric ball clubs that grace our list, and have found a way to cash in their stunning average of 305.8 rushing yards per game into a scoring average of 44.8 points per game.

Nebraska’s grade woes come via a passing attack that ranks No. 78 and a turnover total that rates No. 97 (11 total; two INTs and nine fumbles).

Though the Cornhuskers sit at the front of the class in third-down conversions with a No. 13 rating (52.38 percent), everything else on their card is just decent.

Nebraska’s schedule thus far hasn’t been without its challenges, but other than the narrow loss at UCLA, wins over Southern Miss, Arkansas State, FCS Idaho State and Wisconsin make it easy to see that they may well struggle to post improved numbers with the meat of the Big Ten still on the table.

9. Texas

Rushing:  A-

Passing:  B

Balance:  A

Turnovers:  A+

Sacks Allowed:  A-

Third-down Conversions:  A+

Red Zone: A

Offensive GPA: 3.875

The 4-0 Texas Longhorns take home the prize for having the highest offensive GPA among the top 25 scoring teams in our great nation.

Not only has Texas scored an average of 47.3 points per game this season, but they also have done it with a balanced assault that ranks in the top ten in turnovers (only two all season), third-down conversions (58.33 percent) and red zone TD scores (81.82 percent).

With the bulk of the Big 12 schedule in front of them, it will be interesting to see if the Longhorns can retain their lofty stats and return to national prominence.

8. Georgia

Rushing:  A

Passing:  B+

Balance:  A

Turnovers:  D+

Sacks Allowed:  B-

Third-down Conversions:  B

Red Zone: A

Offensive GPA:  3.25

Georgia’s No. 8-ranked scoring offense has averaged 48.2 points per game thus far in 2012, and has also managed to perform above the bar in every category on our report card with the exception of turnovers.

The Bulldogs rank No. 76 in giveaways through five games, a number which includes four picks thrown and five fumbles lost.

High points for the offensive Dawgs comprise of a rushing attack that ranks No. 11 in the land, a super-balanced approach and red zone numbers comprised of a 90.48 percent success rate in scoring (No. 23) and an 85.71 TD rate (No. 4).

Georgia’s report card will be on the line in a big way this Saturday when they square off with South Carolina, a team that just so happens to tout the No. 6-ranked defense in the country.

7. Texas A&M

Rushing:  B+

Passing:  A-

Balance:  B

Turnovers:  A+

Sacks Allowed:  B-

Third-down Conversions:  B

Red Zone: A-

Offensive GPA:  3.4575

The third of four Lone Star State teams on our list (and the only one that now hails from the SEC), the Aggies have followed the lead of their freshman QB all the way to the No. 7 ranking in scoring.

Texas A&M offensive report card is sure to impress even the pickiest parent and with zero concrete liabilities, it’s easy to focus on the positive.

The Aggies shine in passing yards per game with an average of 315.3 (No. 19) and red zone performance, where they’ve been 89.47 percent successful inside the 20 (No. 27) with 73.68 percent of these visits resulting in a TD (No. 24).

But what might be the most impressive about A&M’s offense is a No. 1 ranking in turnovers. Yes, they’ve only coughed up the ball one time (via an INT) in four games.

6. Florida State

Rushing:  A

Passing:  B+

Balance:  A+

Turnovers:  A-

Sacks Allowed:  B+

Third-down Conversions:  A-

Red Zone: A

Offensive GPA: 3.75

Who knows if 2012 really will be the year that Florida State busts back onto the national radar, but they definitely are the No. 6-ranked scoring offense and No. 2 GPA-earner through five weeks of college football.

The ‘Noles numbers are nothing to snort at, regardless of the fact they came vs. two FCS teams, Wake Forest, USF and yes, Clemson.

When you meld the offensive report card with a defense that currently ranks No. 7 in scoring, No. 5 vs. the run and No. 4 against the pass, what you get is a very scary proposition.

The future looks even brighter when you realize that, as of right now, Florida State has only one ranked team left to play in 2012, which comes in the Thanksgiving weekend finale with Florida.

5. Louisiana Tech

Rushing:  A-

Passing:  B

Balance:  B

Turnovers:  A

Sacks Allowed:  A-

3^rd Down Conversions:  C

Red Zone: A+

Offensive GPA:  3.5

The highest scoring non-BCS team in the nation, the La Tech Bulldogs have ripped it up to the tune of scoring an average of 52 points per game.

From a purely report card standpoint, Bulldog parents will be most happy with the red zone grades, which include a No. 5 ranking in scoring inside the 20 (96.56 percent) and a No. 3 ranking in red zone TDs (86.96 percent).

The only downside to what is otherwise a glowing report is a third-down success rate, which is frankly disappointing based on the rest of the statistical resume.  La Tech is only 40 percent on third downs thus far in 2012, earning them a national ranking of No. 72.

It’s important to remember that the Bulldogs have earned their scores not vs. the WAC opponents they share a conference home with, but instead against the likes of Houston, Illinois and Virginia.

So how far can Louisiana Tech ride their high flying offense?  Well, the outcome may depend on how their No. 109-ranked defense performs, a unit that has allowed 37 points per game thus far this season.

4. Oregon

Rushing:  A+

Passing:  C+

Balance:  A-

Turnovers:  F

Sacks Allowed:  B-

Third-down Conversions:  A-

Red Zone: B-

Offensive GPA: 3.1875

With an average of 52.4 points scored in each of their five wins thus far, there is no doubt that Oregon can pile on the points.

That said, there are some lingering concerns about the Ducks almost hot and cold report card—a performance capsule that can both thrill and devastate all in the same breath.

The upsides are fairly obvious; Oregon is a rushing team with the No. 6-ranked ground attack in the FBS, they are balanced vs. the pass and they field a No. 20-ranked group in terms of third-down conversions (49.38).

What’s more than mildly alarming is the class grade in turnovers, where the Ducks rank No. 106 nationally by virtue of six picks and six lost fumbles.

Combine these with a defense that gave up 34 points to Arkansas State, 25 to Fresno State (yes, they are on this list) and 26 to Washington State and you, at the very least, can see how Oregon could lose.

But we all know how Chip Kelly’s teams perform; regardless of the circumstances, they win.

And until they divert from their victorious ways, we’ll just assume that this high flying “O” will keep racking up yards, points and wins.

3. West Virginia

Rushing:  C-

Passing:  A+

Balance:  F

Turnovers:  A+

Sacks Allowed:  A-

Third-down Conversions:  A+

Red Zone: A+

Offensive GPA:  3.25

After scoring 70 points in Week 5’s score-a-rama win over Baylor, it should be no surprise to see West Virginia at No. 3 in offensive scoring.

It’s probably unfair to knock a unit that scores 53 points per game for passing the ball for a zillion yards vs. running it for only 157 yards per game, but you have to figure at some point in the season, the balance issue may cost the Mountaineers.

West Virginia ranks No. 1 in the nation in passing yards (441.5 yards per game), No. 1 in turnovers (only one all season, a pick), No. 1 in third-down conversions and No. 2 in red zone TDs (88.24 percent).

The unsettling feeling regarding West Virginia is twofold; first, there is the fact that the Mountaineers have faced a slew of foes this season that aren’t necessarily stellar (Marshall, FCS James Madison, Maryland and Baylor), meaning the stats may not hold up as time goes on.

Next, you’ve got the real concern of a defense that ranks No. 96 nationally in scoring and No. 122 vs. the pass.

2. Baylor

Rushing:  B

Passing:  A+

Balance:  D

Turnovers:  A-

Sacks Allowed:  B

Third-down Conversions:  B

Red Zone: B

Offensive GPA:  3.125

Baylor’s No. 2-ranked scoring offense is a lot like West Virginia’s yard-earning, score-getting product, only it’s downgraded just a bit in every category with the exception of points per game.

Yes, the Bears trump the Mountaineers by virtue of 0.3 points per game, but other than that, it’s all WVU.

Baylor is a pass-oriented affair that does well in every category across the board (with the exception of balance), but not quite as well as WVU from a purely numbers approach.

What’s really of note regarding the offensive Bears (and the defensive breed, for that matter) is the fact that outside of the barnburner vs. the Mountaineers, they’ve played virtually no one.

Yes, Baylor has posted their big numbers vs. SMU (now 1-3), FCS Sam Houston State, ULM (understandably 2-2) and West Virginia.

Which leads you wonder what they will do in the ensuing games vs. TCU, at Texas, at Oklahoma, vs. K-State and vs. Oklahoma State.

1. Oklahoma State

Rushing:  A+

Passing:  A+

Balance:  A

Turnovers:  C

Sacks Allowed:  A+

Third-down Conversions:  A+

Red Zone: A+

Offensive GPA: 3.75

Speaking of the Big 12, how about those Cowboys, who have posted an eye popping 55.8 points per game through their first four games of 2012?

Yes, Oklahoma State brings home one of the most complete report cards in the nation with only one exception: turnovers.

The Cowboys rank No. 58 overall in giveaways, suffering eight turnovers that include six picks and two fumbles.

This is the only black mark on an otherwise stunning grade array that includes top 10 rankings in rushing yards per game (No. 7), passing yards per game (No. 6), sacks allowed (No. 5), third-down conversions (No. 2), red zone scoring (No. 1) and red zone TDs (No. 8).

It’s the perfect combination betwixt scoring, balance and performance, and it’s scary despite a defensive unit that gives up 31 points per game (No. 91).