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Third downs: 2026 College Football Chart

College Football Charts
Data updatedOct 31, 2026

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Third downs

3rd downs allowed (up) against 3rd down conversion (across). 134 teams with data.

Up and right are always better: metrics where lower is better (like ranks or points allowed) run in reverse. Dashed lines are the averages of the teams shown and split the chart into four groups. There's no trend line or gray band here: the chart compares two separate skills, so no spot is "expected." The lists rank teams on both skills together. Tap or click a team to open it in Head to head.

What this shows

Third downs decide drives. Further right is a better offense on third down; higher is a better defense.

There is a weak relationship here (r = +0.21; r runs from −1 to +1, and positive means the two go together): teams better on 3rd down conversion tend to be better on 3rd downs allowed. 3rd down conversion accounts for about 5% of the differences in 3rd downs allowed across the 134 teams shown.

Split by the averages: Wins third down 37, Gets off the field 33, Stays on the field 28, Loses third down 36.

Best on third down, both ways: UCLA (9th and 2nd), Utah (1st and 23rd), Nebraska (21st and 1st). Worst on third down, both ways: Northern Illinois (129th and 133rd), Kentucky (125th and 134th), Central Michigan (110th and 131st). Ranks are among the 134 teams shown, 3rd down conversion first, then 3rd downs allowed.

Pac-12: 2 of 8 in Wins third down, 2 in Loses third down. Top of the list: Texas State (3rd and 54th of 134).

Mountain West: 2 of 10 in Wins third down, 3 in Loses third down. Top of the list: UNLV (26th and 49th of 134).

Where the data comes from. 3rd downs allowed: play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com (the public cfbfastR files), games through Oct 24, 2026. 3rd down conversion: play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com (the public cfbfastR files), games through Oct 24, 2026.

Best on third down, both ways

  1. UCLA 9th and 2nd of 134
  2. Utah 1st and 23rd of 134
  3. Nebraska 21st and 1st of 134
  4. Kansas State 2nd and 20th of 134
  5. Liberty 10th and 4th of 134
  6. Western Kentucky 17th and 8th of 134

Worst on third down, both ways

  1. Northern Illinois 129th and 133rd of 134
  2. Kentucky 125th and 134th of 134
  3. Central Michigan 110th and 131st of 134
  4. UTEP 134th and 110th of 134
  5. Ball State 130th and 126th of 134
  6. Charlotte 126th and 124th of 134

About the stats on this chart

What is 3rd down conversion?

Share of 3rd downs converted to a first down.

Why does 3rd down conversion matter?

3rd down is where drives live or die. An offense that converts keeps its own defense on the bench.

Where does the 3rd down conversion data come from?

From play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com (the public cfbfastR files), games through Oct 24, 2026.

What is 3rd downs allowed?

Share of 3rd downs opponents converted. Lower is better.

Why does 3rd downs allowed matter?

Getting off the field on 3rd down is the difference between a defense that bends and one that breaks.

Where does the 3rd downs allowed data come from?

From play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com (the public cfbfastR files), games through Oct 24, 2026.