By the Numbers: Texas’ Sack Problem vs. Power 4 Defenses

[JustinOTF]

Hey, this is Justin, one of the interns. I wanted to look at how Texas’ pass protection has held up against Power 4 defenses, and the numbers stood out. Here’s a new graphic on Texas’ dropback sack rate against Ohio State, Tennessee, OU, Florida and Ole Miss.

Across 153 true dropbacks in those games, Texas has been sacked 17 times for -119 yards. That 11.1% sack rate ranks 72nd of 76 FBS offenses with at least 75 true dropbacks against Power 4 defenses this season, and is only ahead of Clemson, Washington, Virginia and Auburn. 
 

Most of the damage came in two games. Texas allowed only just two sacks each against Ohio State, OU and Ole Miss, but they gave up six against Tennessee and five against Florida, each on only 25 dropbacks. Add in 9 turnovers (6 INT and 3 fumbles lost), which ranks 74th of 76, and the passing game has struggled under pressure.

Were Tennessee and Florida outliers, or is this a bigger protection problem?

[Hank South]

I'm hoping an outlier, especially with Cojoe having to fill in now. 

Good info Justin!

[HalfmileHorn]

Great work, not really surprised. My sense is it's a bigger protection problem.

[tsip92]

Need to get the ball out quicker and find the open guys more effectively and all of those stats will improve.  

[Game of the Century]

I think we all know a fair number of those sacks are on Arch and Sark and not the offensive line.  

If we run the offense we did in the first half and the fourth quarter against Ole Miss,  we won’t see a lot of sacks going forward. More importantly, we need to run behind Cojoe and not ask him to protect the blindside by himself against high-quality edges or blitzes often.  
 

 

[PaytonOTF]

Wonder if we could somehow use AVG Time to Throw, to somehow compare sack rates to other similar AVG Time to Throw Numbers from other teams.

 

[Ryan Clement]

37 minutes ago, PaytonOTF said:

Wonder if we could somehow use AVG Time to Throw, to somehow compare sack rates to other similar AVG Time to Throw Numbers from other teams.

 

I think a big contributor is how long arch holds the ball sometimes. He needs to have that mental clock and go with the read instead of second guessing it. 

[watty7796]

UTSA laid out the map to pressure the Texas pass game and penatrate the running game.  IMHO the sack numbers only paint a partial picture.  (Per SI)

The negative plays in general both running and passing is the bigger issue.  You have to do something well and to this point in the season Texas has not established consistency in any aspect of offensive play.  Texas offensive line is just that...offensive.  if the GCG does not figure out how to communicate, switch, or pick up blitzes through the A and B gap this season will fall well short of expectations.

 

Yards Per Game	361.0 (lowest of the Sarkisian era)
Yards Per Play	5.2 (104th nationally)
Yards Per Rush	119th nationally
Explosive Plays (20+ yds)	126th nationally
EPA Per Play	0.01 (worst in Steve Sarkisian's 6-year tenure

[Bobby Burton]

I like these two stats a lot.

1. The dropback stat rate is indicative of the overall health and consistency of the passing game and the combination of the offensive line and quarterback.

2. The turnover rate is much worse than the sack rate IMO.

But the two intertwine. More pressure against Arch = more turnovers.

Good stuff, Justin!

[Little Carmine]

O-line clearly not understanding protections. I don't know if its communication breakdown or complete misdiagnosis but stunts and crossing gaps look to confuse the hell out of these guys 

[Alex Butler]

Great stuff, the common theme for the TN and FL games were that we really pushed to try and throw the ball down the field and went away from the run and quick game for extended periods. Honestly I think TN we under estimated how good their d line and LB were and FL we were arrogant to think he could dice them up with the deep ball and went away from what was working. 

[AusMOJO]

1 hour ago, Little Carmine said:

O-line clearly not understanding protections. I don't know if its communication breakdown or complete misdiagnosis but stunts and crossing gaps look to confuse the hell out of these guys 

I think it's having to think about too many things on the OL. There's so many different looks they have to be ready for and I'm almost certain it falls back onto Sark's scheme and it being overly complicated. I think I heard Daniel Cruz mention something about it, who's now at NC State. 

No idea if there is something to that, just what I remember hearing. 

[Jeff Howe]

Good stuff, @JustinOTF.

This is proof that Sark should continue to lean into the quick game. Not just screens. I’m talking slants, glances, stops, sticks, etc.

It’s also easier to protect when you’re in favorable to-go distances on third down and the defense can’t get in a track stance and hunt the quarterback.