Drive Efficiency

Every team gets about a dozen possessions a game. This is what they do with them, and what they give up.

LeagueAll FBSACCAmerican AthleticBig 12Big TenConference USAFBS IndependentsMid-AmericanMountain WestPac-12SECSun Belt

Season2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014

2026 is still being played — through week 1 · 1 game a team · 92 of 136 teams rated so far. These are early numbers on a small sample, not a season rating. Teams whose only game was against an FCS opponent are not here: those games are excluded from every metric on this page.

Points per drive, both directions

Scoring across, points allowed up. Fast and slow teams compare fairly here, because it is per possession. Top right is best.

92 teams · dashed lines mark the league medianr = -0.53(r² = 0.28)

Sorted by Points per drive (defense). Every possession is an opportunity; this is what one is worth. Tap any column to re-sort.

#	Team	Conf	PPD	Start	Avail	Opp	PPO	3&out	Expl	TD	TO
1	Oklahoma	SEC	-0.64	own 31.5	20.1%	45.5%	0.00	36.4%	9.1%	0.0%	27.3%
2	Iowa	Big Ten	-0.50	own 22.3	12.5%	50.0%	0.00	71.4%	0.0%	0.0%	14.3%
3	South Carolina	SEC	0.00	own 23.7	23.1%	77.8%	0.00	33.3%	0.0%	0.0%	11.1%
4	Texas A&M	SEC	0.00	own 24.9	9.4%	30.0%	0.00	80.0%	0.0%	0.0%	30.0%
5	Penn State	Big Ten	0.00	own 22.7	18.3%	58.3%	0.00	58.3%	0.0%	0.0%	25.0%
6	North Dakota State	Mountain West	0.00	own 31.7	31.0%	50.0%	1.40	10.0%	10.0%	10.0%	20.0%
7	LSU	SEC	0.25	own 26.1	17.6%	83.3%	1.00	50.0%	0.0%	8.3%	0.0%
8	Duke	ACC	0.25	own 25.1	27.2%	66.7%	0.38	41.7%	8.3%	0.0%	25.0%
9	Ohio State	Big Ten	0.27	own 29.4	18.6%	72.7%	0.38	54.5%	0.0%	0.0%	18.2%
10	Alabama	SEC	0.27	own 27.9	23.3%	72.7%	1.25	45.5%	9.1%	9.1%	0.0%
11	Miami	ACC	0.60	own 20.1	34.6%	70.0%	0.86	40.0%	0.0%	0.0%	10.0%
12	Virginia	ACC	0.64	own 28.1	23.8%	81.8%	0.78	54.5%	9.1%	9.1%	27.3%
13	Notre Dame	FBS Independents	0.67	own 33.4	46.0%	55.6%	2.60	22.2%	11.1%	11.1%	0.0%
14	Colorado	Big 12	0.67	own 30.8	37.3%	77.8%	0.86	33.3%	0.0%	0.0%	11.1%
15	New Mexico	Mountain West	0.78	own 25.8	21.0%	66.7%	1.17	55.6%	0.0%	11.1%	22.2%
16	Western Michigan	Mid-American	0.78	own 16.4	25.9%	66.7%	1.17	55.6%	0.0%	11.1%	22.2%
17	North Carolina	ACC	0.89	own 34.1	49.7%	77.8%	1.43	0.0%	0.0%	11.1%	44.4%
18	Michigan	Big Ten	0.90	own 34.8	37.5%	90.0%	1.00	20.0%	0.0%	0.0%	10.0%
19	Tulsa	American Athletic	0.91	own 20.5	47.2%	63.6%	1.43	9.1%	0.0%	9.1%	63.6%
20	Washington	Big Ten	0.91	own 24.2	35.1%	63.6%	1.43	45.5%	0.0%	9.1%	27.3%
21	Colorado State	Pac-12	1.00	own 26.8	34.6%	70.0%	1.43	50.0%	0.0%	10.0%	40.0%
22	Mississippi State	SEC	1.08	own 23.1	29.7%	83.3%	1.30	58.3%	8.3%	8.3%	8.3%
23	USC	Big Ten	1.11	own 24.7	41.1%	77.8%	1.43	33.3%	11.1%	16.7%	22.2%
24	South Florida	American Athletic	1.11	own 22.7	42.2%	33.3%	3.33	11.1%	11.1%	11.1%	55.6%
25	Pittsburgh	ACC	1.27	own 26.1	29.5%	72.7%	1.75	45.5%	0.0%	18.2%	9.1%
26	Nevada	Mountain West	1.27	own 23.8	39.6%	54.5%	2.33	36.4%	0.0%	18.2%	27.3%
27	Cincinnati	Big 12	1.27	own 24.8	47.3%	63.6%	2.00	0.0%	18.2%	18.2%	36.4%
28	UCLA	Big Ten	1.42	own 21.7	39.1%	50.0%	2.83	25.0%	0.0%	16.7%	50.0%
29	Auburn	SEC	1.42	own 24.2	52.5%	83.3%	1.70	25.0%	0.0%	16.7%	33.3%
30	Baylor	Big 12	1.42	own 27.8	46.8%	91.7%	1.54	25.0%	8.3%	16.7%	33.3%
31	Tulane	American Athletic	1.42	own 31.5	48.0%	83.3%	1.70	33.3%	8.3%	16.7%	33.3%
32	UNLV	Mountain West	1.44	own 23.0	45.3%	73.9%	1.94	34.8%	17.4%	13.0%	13.0%
33	James Madison	Sun Belt	1.44	own 28.0	52.8%	77.8%	1.86	22.2%	11.1%	11.1%	22.2%
34	TCU	Big 12	1.44	own 28.6	46.7%	66.7%	2.17	22.2%	11.1%	11.1%	22.2%
35	Sacramento State	Mid-American	1.50	own 28.1	41.0%	50.0%	4.00	28.6%	14.3%	28.6%	0.0%
36	Texas	SEC	1.56	own 22.8	46.5%	44.4%	3.50	11.1%	11.1%	22.2%	44.4%
37	Georgia Tech	ACC	1.56	own 31.9	58.0%	66.7%	2.33	22.2%	0.0%	22.2%	11.1%
38	Eastern Michigan	Mid-American	1.58	own 31.0	30.5%	69.2%	2.28	38.5%	7.7%	19.2%	19.2%
39	Wake Forest	ACC	1.70	own 23.0	45.5%	70.0%	2.43	30.0%	0.0%	20.0%	20.0%
40	Massachusetts	Mid-American	1.75	own 24.2	40.8%	58.3%	3.00	50.0%	8.3%	25.0%	50.0%
41	Troy	Sun Belt	1.75	own 19.7	40.1%	66.7%	2.63	25.0%	16.7%	25.0%	16.7%
42	Indiana	Big Ten	1.78	own 25.6	54.2%	66.7%	2.67	11.1%	11.1%	11.1%	22.2%
43	West Virginia	Big 12	1.85	own 24.8	44.1%	76.9%	2.40	23.1%	23.1%	23.1%	23.1%
44	Memphis	American Athletic	1.88	own 28.2	51.5%	95.8%	1.96	8.3%	8.3%	25.0%	25.0%
45	Washington State	Pac-12	1.89	own 33.2	44.6%	77.8%	2.43	22.2%	22.2%	22.2%	11.1%
46	Nebraska	Big Ten	2.00	own 27.3	42.0%	90.0%	2.22	30.0%	10.0%	20.0%	10.0%
47	Florida	SEC	2.10	own 24.7	48.7%	70.0%	3.00	30.0%	0.0%	30.0%	40.0%
48	Houston	Big 12	2.10	own 23.2	44.7%	70.0%	3.00	20.0%	20.0%	30.0%	20.0%
49	Michigan State	Big Ten	2.10	own 30.4	130.3%	70.0%	3.00	40.0%	30.0%	30.0%	20.0%
50	Florida International	Conference USA	2.11	own 41.4	45.8%	100.0%	2.11	22.2%	0.0%	11.1%	0.0%
51	SMU	ACC	2.18	own 27.3	42.6%	90.9%	2.40	18.2%	0.0%	27.3%	18.2%
52	Sam Houston	Conference USA	2.18	own 31.1	35.8%	81.8%	2.67	36.4%	9.1%	27.3%	0.0%
53	Oklahoma State	Big 12	2.18	own 36.5	49.6%	100.0%	2.18	18.2%	9.1%	27.3%	9.1%
54	Hawai'i	Mountain West	2.23	own 26.5	51.6%	77.3%	2.88	31.8%	4.5%	31.8%	9.1%
55	Oregon	Big Ten	2.25	own 27.3	42.6%	75.0%	3.00	41.7%	0.0%	25.0%	8.3%
56	Florida State	ACC	2.32	own 25.6	61.4%	89.5%	2.59	15.8%	21.1%	26.3%	26.3%
57	San José State	Mountain West	2.44	own 27.5	49.0%	82.6%	2.95	30.4%	8.7%	34.8%	21.7%
58	Liberty	Conference USA	2.50	own 24.8	46.3%	87.5%	2.86	37.5%	0.0%	25.0%	0.0%
59	Coastal Carolina	Sun Belt	2.58	own 32.2	61.9%	91.7%	2.82	41.7%	25.0%	33.3%	8.3%
60	Jacksonville State	Conference USA	2.60	own 23.3	47.3%	80.0%	3.25	30.0%	10.0%	20.0%	10.0%
61	Northern Illinois	Mountain West	2.62	own 39.8	60.8%	100.0%	2.62	23.1%	15.4%	30.8%	23.1%
62	Stanford	ACC	2.78	own 25.1	51.2%	82.6%	3.74	30.4%	26.1%	43.5%	4.3%
63	Ole Miss	SEC	2.85	own 30.7	44.5%	76.9%	3.70	30.8%	15.4%	30.8%	7.7%
64	Boise State	Pac-12	2.85	own 37.1	59.5%	76.9%	3.70	0.0%	46.2%	30.8%	23.1%
65	Toledo	Mid-American	2.90	own 36.5	61.6%	90.0%	3.22	0.0%	10.0%	20.0%	10.0%
66	Oregon State	Pac-12	3.09	own 29.5	64.9%	100.0%	3.09	18.2%	9.1%	36.4%	18.2%
67	NC State	ACC	3.09	own 30.5	51.0%	90.9%	3.40	18.2%	18.2%	36.4%	0.0%
68	Louisville	ACC	3.15	own 32.3	56.7%	84.6%	3.73	23.1%	23.1%	38.5%	15.4%
69	Boston College	ACC	3.40	own 30.8	50.7%	90.0%	3.78	30.0%	0.0%	40.0%	0.0%
70	California	ACC	3.50	own 39.8	59.2%	91.7%	3.82	33.3%	16.7%	50.0%	8.3%
71	Wyoming	Mountain West	3.50	own 29.3	57.6%	100.0%	3.50	40.0%	10.0%	50.0%	0.0%
72	Rutgers	Big Ten	3.70	own 40.8	57.6%	80.0%	4.63	20.0%	30.0%	40.0%	0.0%
73	Akron	Mid-American	3.70	own 30.0	75.9%	100.0%	3.70	0.0%	30.0%	40.0%	0.0%
74	New Mexico State	Conference USA	3.78	own 29.6	70.7%	100.0%	3.78	11.1%	11.1%	44.4%	11.1%
75	Wisconsin	Big Ten	3.78	own 20.8	52.6%	100.0%	3.78	33.3%	0.0%	44.4%	0.0%
76	Arkansas State	Sun Belt	3.82	own 20.5	58.6%	81.8%	4.67	36.4%	27.3%	54.5%	18.2%
77	Fresno State	Pac-12	3.89	own 27.1	84.6%	77.8%	5.00	0.0%	22.2%	55.6%	33.3%
78	UTEP	Mountain West	4.00	own 42.6	66.1%	90.9%	4.40	18.2%	27.3%	45.5%	9.1%
79	Clemson	ACC	4.09	own 27.3	71.4%	90.9%	4.50	9.1%	9.1%	54.5%	9.1%
80	Marshall	Sun Belt	4.09	own 32.1	68.4%	100.0%	4.09	18.2%	27.3%	54.5%	0.0%
81	East Carolina	American Athletic	4.10	own 30.0	67.3%	90.0%	4.56	20.0%	10.0%	50.0%	10.0%
82	Central Michigan	Mid-American	4.11	own 33.1	64.8%	100.0%	4.11	11.1%	11.1%	44.4%	0.0%
83	Missouri State	Conference USA	4.36	own 42.4	77.5%	100.0%	4.36	9.1%	9.1%	54.5%	9.1%
84	Ohio	Mid-American	4.46	own 30.0	71.1%	81.8%	5.44	9.1%	27.3%	63.6%	9.1%
85	Western Kentucky	Conference USA	4.46	own 33.5	68.6%	90.9%	4.90	18.2%	36.4%	63.6%	9.1%
86	Ball State	Mid-American	4.67	own 23.8	71.3%	91.7%	5.09	16.7%	33.3%	66.7%	8.3%
87	Miami (OH)	Mid-American	4.92	own 29.2	79.4%	100.0%	4.92	16.7%	33.3%	66.7%	8.3%
88	UL Monroe	Sun Belt	5.17	own 28.3	86.4%	100.0%	5.17	0.0%	50.0%	66.7%	0.0%
89	North Texas	American Athletic	5.78	own 46.2	78.4%	88.9%	6.50	11.1%	22.2%	77.8%	0.0%
90	Texas State	Pac-12	5.78	own 39.8	94.5%	100.0%	5.78	0.0%	33.3%	77.8%	11.1%
91	Florida Atlantic	American Athletic	6.00	own 30.6	87.4%	100.0%	6.00	9.1%	36.4%	81.8%	9.1%
92	Kent State	Mid-American	6.22	own 19.7	91.5%	100.0%	6.22	0.0%	55.6%	88.9%	0.0%

What counts as a drive

210,509 possessions counted. A drive that starts with 24 seconds left and ends in a kneel is a real row in the data and a fake possession; left in, it drags every team’s points per drive down in proportion to how often their games were already decided. Excluded here:

end of half / game / quarter possessions
possessions starting inside 40s of a half
kickoff and uncategorised rows
FBS vs FCS games

CFBD spells the same outcome four ways across seasons — FG / FG GOOD / MADE FG, DOWNS / TURNOVER ON DOWNS / POSS. ON DOWNS — so every result is normalized once at build time rather than string-matched anywhere downstream.