OTF Premium Why reversing negative play differential is paramount to Texas' success in 2026

[Jeff Howe]

10 hours ago, Here for the Wins said:

 I didn’t  check the non- conference games besides OSU.  We ran 67 to 59 plays versus OSU.

Kentucky ran 32 more plays than us including overtime.  The defense could have done better, but the offense was the bigger issue.  Texas had 3 3 and outs in the 4th quarter.  Four of 6 2nd half possessions were 3 and outs.  Perhaps you remember the failure to stay in bounds preceding the FG in regulation that kept UK alive.  

Arkansas ran 20 more plays, but we only had 3 guys with 50+ snaps.  We also won going away.

Every other conference game, and we were within 5 snaps.  Only the MSU game had more than 70.

So I’ll need some elaboration as to how Becton was the guy over PK in “so many” of these games.

The Georgia game is the one where it stood out to me. It was 14-10 when Texas kicked off after the Arch-to-Wingo touchdown and the Longhorns had a plus-6 edge in play differential. The next time the offense had the ball, it was 28-10 and Georgia had a plus-13 edge in play differential because of the 10-play touchdown drive where they converted a fourth down and moved the chains on a fourth-down penalty by Texas, the onside kick and then a nine-play touchdown drive.

Georgia never faced third down on the drive after recovering the onside kick. For the defense to give up a long drive and then have to go right back out, it was demoralizing.

[CJ Vogel]

14 hours ago, Thailand T Sip said:

@CJ Vogel@Jeff Howe Really appreciate both write ups. CJ, you gave us the sketch & Jeff, you colored it. I never looked at efficiency like this. It's really a team stat. Really need a strong defense to reduce opponents plays & the offense needs to take advantage of possessions. Earlier there was a discussion about which player benefits the most from Muschamp's arrival. Indirectly, it's going to be Arch & the O by getting more possession opportunities.

No doubt.

I'm not Texas to really dominate the time of possession battle, but it sure would be nice for a more consistent approach to the complementary style of football Sarkisian consistently preaches about to show up on a week to week.

No more Kentucky/Florida type games with this roster should be possible.

[Jeff Howe]

16 hours ago, Dawson Yarbrough said:

The amount of 2nd and 13 we had game after game after game was very frustrating. Hopefully we are much more efficient next year on 1st and 2nd down.  

Sark’s offenses are at their best when they’re highly efficient on first down. I know that sounds simple, but in ‘23 and ‘24, Texas was one of the best offenses in the country at the percentage of first downs gained on first and second down.

Sometimes, Sark’s best third-down offense is to avoid those situations.

[Here for the Wins]

9 minutes ago, Jeff Howe said:

The Georgia game is the one where it stood out to me. It was 14-10 when Texas kicked off after the Arch-to-Wingo touchdown and the Longhorns had a plus-6 edge in play differential. The next time the offense had the ball, it was 28-10 and Georgia had a plus-13 edge in play differential because of the 10-play touchdown drive where they converted a fourth down and moved the chains on a fourth-down penalty by Texas, the onside kick and then a nine-play touchdown drive.

Georgia never faced third down on the drive after recovering the onside kick. For the defense to give up a long drive and then have to go right back out, it was demoralizing.

Georgia was a different animal.  The 4th and 1 from their 35 was huge.  Then the 4th and 5 from around the 50.  Then TD and subsequent onsides.  Brilliant coaching on Kirby’s part.  None of those were no brainer decisions.

Yes, we likely needed some recovery physically but emotionally our spirit was taken too when they got that recovery.  We still had a fighting chance had we recovered it.  We were never composed after that.

You’re right.  Very demoralizing.